Body Language

[JoanneF]

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I assume it's a stock image and not actually our local emergency practice. But it's another pretty shocking example of someone trying to promote something and apparently not realising how clueless the image makes them seem.

 

[Biker John]

Totally agree I would not be happy leaving my girl with a vet that thinks that is right and should be shown off.

 

[Violet Turner]

I was having a look on my vets website and it was explaining about the disease transmitted by mosquitoes. I saw this picture-
What is wrong with this pups body language?

 

[JoanneF]

Thank you @Violet Turner for a new challenge for us

The lowered head and backward eye direction suggest a bit of anxiety to me.

 

[Violet Turner]

Stiffened up body

 

[JudyN]

Posted for comedy value as much as anything - I think the message is loud and clear

 

[Mad Murphy]

@JudyN dont mean to laugh but the angle of the lip on the second (black) dog reminds me of an apologetic grin people do when trapped doing something naughty!

 

[JudyN]

@JudyN dont mean to laugh but the angle of the lip on the second (black) dog reminds me of an apologetic grin people do when trapped doing something naughty!

Haha, you could be just about right there! Sparky, the black dog, is young, bouncy and friendly, and would really have liked to buddy up to Jasper but... That's Jasper's blankie just behind him so possibly he was being a bit territorial over it. I should stress there was no serious snarking at all, just Grumpy Uncle Jasper explaining the rules to the young whippersnapper.

 

[JudyN]

A question about playbows...

This afternoon we met a lovely young lurcher, who really wanted Jasper to play chase with her, bouncing and sprinting around him. As per usual, he was friendly, but not interested in playing. He might have been more interested if he hadn't insisted on a 2+ hour walk this morning Even after her owner walked on, she kept sprinting back to him. Then he playbowed and gave her a friendly bark - not sure if the bark surprised her, but she then ran off and we didn't see her again!

So whether J would have played I can't be sure. But I'm wondering if a playbow can be not just a clear indication to play, but also a way of saying, 'Yes, I like you, yes, I know you're being very friendly and want to play, so I'm mirroring how you're feeling... even if I've no actual intention of running around like a whippersnapper'? Could it simply be a polite acknowledgement of her emotions?

 

[Free spirit]

It wasn't necessarily reciprocal

Yes in your photo Jasper looks less keen than Elba looks like unrequited love. Careful she may start stalking him!!!

 

[Sandra Christine]

I think it's a brilliant thread. Photos below of Jasper and his friend Elba - anyone want to hazard a guess what he's thinking?

I would have said that Elba was getting on Jaspers nerves and he wasnt keen to play. Turning head away and giving Elba his back

 

[JudyN]

I would have said that Elba was getting on Jaspers nerves and he wasnt keen to play. Turning head away and giving Elba his back

Yep, that's exactly it, I'm sure She was only young, wanted to be best mates, and was rather persistent. He wanted to be polite because she was a female sighthound but she was so BIG and BOUNCY. He hasn't got much experience of bouncy dogs who are bigger than him and gets quite defensive.

 

[AlwaysLearning]

I like this thread, I have one I'd like your opinion on - I just found it on the net, was titled 'Shelter dogs playing'.

 

[JoanneF]

I would say the little bridle on the left looks anxious. I'm seeing tight lips and wide eyes. The one on the right has his head facing slightly away to the right but his eyes are looking back towards the little bridle on the left so I don't think he is entirely comfortable either. Although his mouth looks more relaxed. What did you think?

 

[AlwaysLearning]

I wasn't 100% if they were mid-play, the body language of the brindle looks asertive (tail up, leaning slightly towards the other), but you're right that is a happy face (long and relaxed lips), in fact that goes for both dogs. Sadly you can't see their feet, i suspect the brindle will have the left front paw off the ground slightly. Although there is still that hard eye.
The guy on the right, is relaxed and in control, tail also up but not in a challenging way, no tension in the body that I can see. I think he's just waiting for the brindle to make his move and then play will resume.

 

[JoanneF]

Interesting, I thought tension in the brindle's mouth and eyes. I do think it's quite hard to judge dynamics from a snapshot though, what was happening in the lead up to the photo is so important. Some of the posed/staged photos earlier in the thread are much easier.

 

[Dibbythedog]

I like this thread, I have one I'd like your opinion on - I just found it on the net, was titled 'Shelter dogs playing'.

Its hard to tell from one photo what really is happening .
The tan dog is squinty eyed , flat ears , opened mouth , I think he turned his head away but is still looking at the Brindle. These are friendly gestures , perhaps appeasive . The brindle is tense and mouth closed , whale eyed .

he is slightly leaning inwards , towards the Tan dog but I think thats because the Tan dog move his head away and he followed, so to speak .

 

[Biker John]

Agree, a single photo doesn't really tell what's happening. When I had my Shih Tzu he and my Whippet played often. But during the play their would be times they would stop and look very similar to the snap, in reality they were both waiting to see if the other wanted to carry on playing or not. By the way, when they were actually playing it often sounded like they were trying to kill each other but they both enjoyed it.

 

[Dibbythedog]

I was having a look on my vets website and it was explaining about the disease transmitted by mosquitoes. I saw this picture-
What is wrong with this pups body language?

Im assuming if he is at the vets then he is not well . He looks very subdued . He looks like he wants to hide. His tail is tucked right under his body . Tight mouth , His head is slightly downward.
Just overall not acting like a normal pup.

 

[AB123]

This is a brilliant thread - such an interesting read!