I wrote the following about three years ago - I never really finished it, and wasn't really happy with it, so shoved it in the draft folder and forgot about it. It was only reading a facebook post by a friend on a similar kind of subject that reminded me that I had written something similar at some time. For me, it is fascinating to realise how much has changed in three years but will update on that later. This is how it was:
My dogs have their own hierarchy of greetings, and each of them has their own vocabulary and body language for these varying occasions. I will talk about Tussock here, though, partly because I know her best, and partly, because she is the boss dog, it is often her body language I watch to see how a situation may evolve, although that also is very fluid as sometimes it is one of the others I need to watch!
I suppose to a non dog person or someone who doesn't know Tussock's personality will not be aware of the enormous vocabulary she possesses - which any dog has, for that matter. The tiny movement or the specific tilt or level of the head tells me that something is coming, going, happening or happened, and how she feels about it. Or the half note change of pitch in the bark can say a similar thing. Of course, as in communication between humans, I have to be listening or observing, and to do that we have to be alive in the moment - not digging in the past, or meddling with the future, or going round in endless circles mulling over a problem of the present. I am guilty of all three and I have to work very hard to stay in the moment. Of course, when I do, it's brilliant! I see more, hear more, feel more and notice more. You'd think we would learn the lesson.... ha ha ha!
But back to Tussock. Out on a walk, if her head position is up and right back with ears raised, it means high alert! Unidentified person/dog/animal/situation/prey/ in sight. That tells me to get my act together NOW and get her attention before she legs it and acts on her own initiative. If she does that, it isn't always a problem - but it could be.
Head long and low with ears lowered tells me her focus has increased and this probably means it is a dog approaching. Down in a crouch is the precursor to moving in towards the dog and I have often considered this as the time to get hold of her! She isn't a troublemaker in any way - indeed, recent interpretation from a trainer friend suggests she is a tad anxious, but if I don't know the approaching dog, I have no idea of the "conversation" that might take place in the ensuing moments.
In the garden all the dogs are quite vigilant at keeping their patch free of intruders -
Tussock in particular has an enormous vocabulary in this department. It is fascinating to watch her subtleties in all situations. Again, I can usually tell by the position of her head that there is “something” out there, something she feels she needs to keep an eye on. Or she might let out a low growl intended as a warning to me that the something is getting close. The single bark means “Oi! I’m watching you” or “Mum – you might be needed”. Then we get to the real ferocious deep bark which means there is a dog going past. She is actually pretty okay with other dogs, but not on her patch, thank you very much. The mid level bark says it is a person – if it goes up in pitch it means it’s someone she knows and the higher it gets, the more she likes them. If they are outside, I can tell where the “something” is, who it might be, and at what point they reach the gate and if I am needed to give them safe passage – just on the volume and tone of voice.
River is enthusiastic in her greeting, but hasn’t fully learned the subtleties required of her. She is all noise and bluster – a mix of her own fear and insecurities and an adolescent attitude.
Talulah generally lets the other two go onto the front line but it is her antics that are the funniest. She does bark, but the rest of her energy is spent jumping up and down on the spot, and gathering as much stuff in her mouth as possible. I doubt she could ever bit an intruder as it takes her long enough to empty her mouth.
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