Learn to decipher the calming signals your dog sends to you (Photo: Cynthia Smith/Unsplash)
Dogs are extremely sensitive to their humans’ feelings, and according to Carol Erickson, an animal advocate at the Pennsylvania SPCA, they have their own ways of telling us to calm down.
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In a segment on Pet Project from CBS News, Erickson explained how we can understand their calming techniques. She noted that dogs move slowly when we’re frantic to encourage us to follow suit.
According to the expert, dogs slow down to help us reach that pace when they sense tension at home is too high. She also emphasized that this behavior should be reciprocal.
Erickson explained that when a dog is stressed or anxious and acting frenetically, humans can sit with them to relax them. Dogs do the same to signal they have no intent to harm.
Dogs may also turn their heads away from us to alleviate a tense situation. Erickson stressed this isn’t a sign of disrespect but a way for them to show they’re not a threat.
Slow blinking can also be a way your dog tries to diffuse a stressful situation. Erickson noted this is also a way dogs signal to other dogs they have no intent to harm.
This content was created with the assistance of AI.
