Charlotte took some extra time this weekend to sit in front of Evan's kennel and offer him calming signals. Calming signals, for dogs, may include yawning, turning their head away, shaking off, sniffing, and so on. Dogs use these signals to communicate with other dogs, and they try to use them with us though we so frequently miss or ignore them. Cathy, another amazing volunteer, once lent me a book entitled On Talking Terms, which really broke it down (http://www.amazon.com/On-Talking-Terms-With-Dogs/dp/1929242360). These signals helped Evan start relaxing and finally he laid down. I always joke that it is a good thing we go to class so early on Saturdays because I am always inadvertantly giving Evan calming signals, mostly yawning!
For more information, check out this link from the woman who wrote On Talking Terms:
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1
For more information, check out this link from the woman who wrote On Talking Terms:
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1
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