Dogs perform
displacement behaviors to calm themselves and other dogs who may have noticed your dog’s discomfort or fear.
The term displacement activities was coined by ethologists to label behavior that was seemingly out of context (or “displaced” from the situation). Many of the signals termed displacement activities are being interpreted now as signs of stress or fear, such as tongue flicks, grooming, and yawning. However, displacement behaviors MAY be a sign of fear or stress, but not necessarily.
Displacement activities are behaviors that are normal to the dog but are offered out of context. The dog uses displacement behaviors to create a break in the current situation. They are used to increase the distance from the other dog and the stressful situation. Take a dog sniffing the ground before greeting another dog for example, often labeled as a “calming signal”. Ethologists would label this as a classic example of a displacement activity.
Imagine a time when you were in the grocery store and saw an old acquaintance. Perhaps you were nervous about saying hello and you needed a little time to decide what to do next. You may have performed a displacement behavior such as picking up a can of soup and intently reading the ingredients to buy yourself some time.
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Yawning when not tired
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Sniffing the ground while moving away from a child
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Scratching themselves after being spoken to in a stern voice
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Checking their privates when asked to do something they don’t want to
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Looking away from a dog who is looking at them
Humans cannot truly “speak dog.” Yet we can be mindful of our body language and the effect it may have on dogs.
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turn your head and remove eye contact
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turn your body sidewise or turn your back
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exhale deeply and relax tension in the body
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walk with a loose body
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always give the dog a direct exit to a safe space.
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slowly yawn, keeping arms still
There has been debate about whether calming signals are actually deliberate signals to calm or stress signals given off by a dog when feeling conflicted. It could be either or both, depending on the circumstances. Communication and body language should be viewed within context.
Each dog is an individual and will have varying skills, experiences and preferred ways of communicating.