I haven't posted in ages, but do read posts often. I have a question based on a recent submission to LB's Q&A with Cindy.
The question regarded why her dog, at trial, sniffs and looks around. The reply wasn't offered as an absolute; it centered on engagement/motivation.
Generally, sniffing and looking around (especially at trial) would indicate a calming signal, yes?, where the dog is displaying uncertainty/stress (stemming, perhaps, from feeling lack of leadership in the situation/environment that causes discomfort)?
Sharon: It can also be that the dog is nervous and not sure of the surroundings. That why it is helpful to train at different locations. So the dog understands what is supposed to happen at different locations.
I think sometimes they can also sense the trainers nerves as well. Could be the handler needs to be more engaged with the dog too.
Just my thoughts. sharon
Absolutely on the training at different locations and possible handler nerves. The example wasn't overly detailed, so I don't know.
I may be thinking too much in to this...a long time ago I read how--ugh, what's her name???--a trainer read calming signals in dogs that were missed by other professionals and by doing so skirted compulsion.
Melissa Hoyer Webboard User Reg: 05-09-2005
Posts: 1340
Loc: SE Michigan
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I'd say it depends on the dog AND the situation. My Kira is a great example. At agility class, she is a sniffer for a few reasons:
1. She likes to smell the door before her first run.
2. She sniffs when stressed. I'd call this a displacement behavior.
3. She sniffs when not engaged with me, typically if I lose my own train of thought (although this has been replaced with Kira saying "oh, my handler dropped the ball again...I'm off to run my own course. WHEEEEE!)
No, not Turid. I can't even refer to any books since I loaned out all my training books.
If you know your dog (which we all know many don't) as you do, that's one thing.
Largely, calming signals are over-looked, IMHO. But when you consider what the average dog owner knows, the signals would just amount to a curve-ball, anyway. (I'm presently thinking of a father who taped his dog bearing teeth and growling at everyone in the house, including kids, if they neared anything that was close to the dog. Guy said if you didn't know her, you wouldn't know that that's how she plays. (!) Okay...off topic.
I see the importance of recognizing calming signals while realizing that sometimes a sniff is just a sniff, a yawn is just a yawn...blah-blah.
Melissa Hoyer Webboard User Reg: 05-09-2005
Posts: 1340
Loc: SE Michigan
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Quote: Sharon DeGaramo
I see the importance of recognizing calming signals while realizing that sometimes a sniff is just a sniff, a yawn is just a yawn...blah-blah.
Amen, sista!
In reference to my above post:
1. Kira is nosy.
2. Kira is confused or sometimes frustrated.
3. Kira is tired of me fouling up and wants to have fun. LOL
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Calming Signal Or Engagement/Motivation
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