08/12/2024
🙉 Behaviour is communication 🙊
Juno stops on a walk and turns her head indicating she would like to take a right, not a left.
Juno grunts and leaps up when I move my feet beneath the covers, expressing her displeasure about a rude awakening.
Juno squints her eyes, purses her mouth, and rocks ever so slightly onto her haunches when a child runs up asking to pet her. "No thanks, kid. Not today."
Every movement and sound a dog makes—from the subtle wag of their tail to a sharp bark or low growl—serves as a vital expression of their inner world, conveying their needs, emotions, and intentions. The same way we use our voice, the symbolism of words and their meaning (and, yes, our body language, too), a dog exhibits particular behaviours to communicate something deeply significant, whether it be feelings of anxiety, excitement, fear, pain, discomfort, or a specific need or desire. Rather than dismissing unwanted behaviours as simply "disobedience" or "rudeness," it is imperative to interpret them as meaningful signals that require our attention and understanding.
By attuning ourselves to these communicative behaviours, we can engage in a more profound dialogue with our canine companions. This approach not only enhances the efficacy of learning/teaching but also deepens the relationship and trust between a dog and their caregiver, fostering a relationship grounded in empathy and mutual reciprocity.
