module 7 - canine communication lessons

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L 7-0 TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to describe a canine’s communication and related behaviors.ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The student will be able to:

A. Identify the vocalizations and meanings associated with canines

B. Identify canine olfactory communicationC. List the canine body postures and facial expressions and

their associated meanings

MOTIVATION STATEMENT

Understanding how and what a canine is communicating is essential to the success of a canine search team. By understanding canine communication, one can better select a canine search candidate, provide correct and prompt care for a canine charge, and enhance the deployment success of a detector canine.

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Canine Search Technology ProgramCST-Handler Course

Module 7 - CANINE COMMUNICATIONLESSONS

Version 2.0 May 2012Author: Mark Marsolais, Ph.D.

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L 7-1 COMMUNICATION, IN GENERAL

Instructor Note: Instructors will begin by showing a 10-minute humorous video of human-canine interaction

TRANSITION STATEMENT INTO SUBJECT

Today, we will examine various forms of canine communication and look at how they impact canine search training and utilization.

COMMUNICATION, IN GENERAL(Instructors will begin by asking students to describe the many ways that we communicate with one another. Write responses out on whiteboard.)

A. Communication in its simplest form is a message that goes from sender to a receiver. Humans have a number of ways to communicate.

B. Oral communication is considered to be the most common form of human communication. Many times it requires a common language that is understood by both sender and receiver.

C. Humans communicate via visual means. That is, they convey ideas and information that are read or observed. Advertising is a great example of visual communication.

D. Tactile communication involves touching. For example, a handshake (weak or strong) conveys a message, a hug to show concern or sympathy, a pat on the back to encourage, etc.

E. Postural communication, also known as body language, includes gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Human communicate quite a bit with body language to include annoyance, aggression, attentiveness, disgust, relaxation, etc.

F. Olfactory communication posits that humans use scent and odor to communicate. Deodorants and perfume are some examples humans use to convey cleanliness and attractiveness

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L 7-2

L 7-3

CANINE COMMUNICATION - VOCALIZATION

A. Canines communicate in a number of ways. That is, they use vocalization, body postures, and olfactory

B. Oral communication or canine vocalization consists of barking, howling, whining, and growling.

C. Barking signals friendly or dangerous intruders, notice to engage, response to unknown noise or sighting, signals stress or distress (separation anxiety), and need for attention.

D. Howling provides long range communication to locate a pack, to warn off, or call a pack for hunting or a kill.

E. Whining is a high-pitched vocalization that signals need or subordination; puppy whining is typically a sign of distress (hunger, cold). Whimpering may signal stress and injury or illness.

F. Growling is an expression of aggression and will proceed from a low tone to higher one as aggression builds.

CANINE COMMUNICATION - OLFACTION

A. Canines communicate through olfaction.B. Urine signals sex and breeding status of other canines.C. Urination marks a territory or marks over another canine’s

areaD. Urination also supports social order (dominant dog in pack

marking over other dogs’s urine)E. During defecation, a dog releases scent through its anal

sacs; this conveys identification information as well as the marking of an area.

F. An excessive amount of secretion from the anal gland may indicate a fear response to a threatening stimulus.

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L 7-4 CANINE COMMUNICATION - POSTURES AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

A. It is posited that up to 80-90% of a canine’s communication is exhibited in its posture and facial expression, aka “body language.”

B. However, many times a posture and/or facial expression is only a transient episode. That is, it is a snapshot of the canine’s behavioral status at a certain time and place. Therefore, it is important not to read too much into a brief encounter with a canine.

C. On the other hand, one can make an educated assumption about a canine that consistently exhibits repetitive postures and facial expressions across a variety of situations.

D. What follows are Coren and Trithart’s illustrated descriptors of eight (8) canine postures and facial expressions and what they are communicating.

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L 7-4 COREN AND TRITHART’S CANINE POSTURES AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

A. Relaxed Approachable“This dog is relaxed and reasonably content. Such a dog is unconcerned and unthreatened by any activities going on in his immediate environment and is usually approachable.”

B. Playfulness“Here we have the basic invitation to play. It may be accompanied by excited barking or playful attacks and retreats. This set of signals may be used as a sort of "punctuation mark" to indicate that any previous rough behaviour was not meant as a threat or challenge.”

C. Alert“If the dog has detected something of interest, or something unknown, these signals communicate that he is now alert and paying attention while he is assessing the situation to determine if there is any threat or if any action should be taken.”

D. Dominant Aggressive“This is a very dominant and confident animal. Here he is not only expressing his social dominance, but is also threatening that he will act aggressively if he is challenged.”

E. Fearful Aggressive“This dog is frightened but is not submissive and may attack if pressed. A dog will generally give these signals when he is directly facing the individual who is threatening him.”

F. Stressed and Distressed“This dog is under either social or environmental stress. These signals, however, are a general "broadcast" of his state of mind and are not being specifically addressed to any other individual.”

G. Fearful and Worried“This dog is somewhat fearful and is offering signs of submission. These signals are designed to pacify the individual who is of higher social status or whom the dog sees as potentially threatening, in order to avoid any further challenges and prevent conflict.”

H. Total Submission“This dog is indicating total surrender and submission. He is trying to say that he accepts his lower status by groveling before a higher ranking or threatening individual in the hopes of avoiding a physical confrontation.”

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FE 7-1

SUMMARY

Upon completion of this module, the student is able to:

A. Identify the vocalizations and meanings associated with canines

B. Identify canine olfactory communicationC. List the canine body postures and facial expressions and

their associated meanings

FIELD EXERCISE - CANINE COMMUNICATION

Students will go to kennels and will evaluate canine communication by viewing and listening to the canines as they interact with one another and humans.

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module 7 - canine communication lessons

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