Calming Signals

Click here for a video describing calming signals.

Calming signals, also known as social signals, appeasement signals or conflict signals, are the language dogs use in various way to communicate. 

The reason I would like you to start looking for your dog's language is to start to become more aware about what sorts of things start him/her feeling stressed.

This info will help in building a strategy for helping your pup to manage better.  

There will be other pieces of information as well that we will consider. But, for now, just start to observe your pet's signaling, and note what was going on, and what signals did s/he use.  

As you start to recognize this stress signaling, and start to better understand how your dog’s particular use of this language, consider changing what you are doing or what is going on when you see them.  

For example, if you are touching your pet on her body somewhere, and she flicks her tongue, then just quietly change what you are doing - stop and/or move to a different part of his/her body.

The key is quietly observing, and responding to what you notice.

If you are interested in learning more about calming signals, the woman who first identified this is Turid Rugaas, and her book is called On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals.  Read more.