The Language of Dogs and Other Canines

The Language of Dogs and Other Canines — page 1 — INTRODUCTION Animal Communication When dogs and other canines howl sniff or wag their tails they are not just being dogs They are communicating Communication is how animals share information between individuals and groups One animal sends a message or a signal A second animal receives the message The receiver decides what to do with the information The three main purposes of animal communication are for identification sharing a location and influencing behavior 4

The Language of Dogs and Other Canines — page 2 — One way dogs greet one another is by touching noses This is their way of saying Hello TALKING WITHOUT WORDS We communicate with our friends and family by talking Dogs and other canines can’t talk They send messages in other ways Some messages are sent by sight These messages can be passed on without using a lot of energy They can also be sent while on the move This is important for wild canines such as wolves jackals and foxes 5

The Language of Dogs and Other Canines — page 3 — The problem with visual messages is that they don’t work after dark Sound messages work day or night They travel quickly and over long distances Scent marking is another effective way to leave a message Scents stick around long after the sender has left the area leaving behind its message THE SCIENCE BEHIND SCENT MARKING All canines scent-mark even domestic dogs Canines mark to let other animals know they are around They also mark to claim resources like food and territory Urine is a common marker It contains chemical messages These messages can include information about a canine’s age and whether they are male or female They also hold clues about an individual’s health and whether or not they are a possible mate 6

The Language of Dogs and Other Canines — page 4 — Bloodhounds have an incredible sense of smell Some of these animals have tracked a single scent for over 130 miles 209 kilometers 7

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