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Original poster

Please help me read my dog's body language

27 replies

Molesworth · 30/03/2009 15:34

As droned on about mentioned on another thread, we've recently adopted a 6 year-old Boston Terrier. His last owners warned us that he is timid when meeting other dogs, and they think this is because he was attacked twice by other dogs last year (including a serious incident as a result of which he almost died).

When he spots another dog - whether on or off lead - he freezes and looks alert with his ears up. Then he often lowers his front end in a crouching position, his ears go back, and, if off-lead, he will approach the other dog slowly as if he is about to pounce on it. Once he gets up to the other dog, or the other dog comes up to him, he stands up again and will do the usual doggy hellos.

Is the crouching/stalking behaviour a sign of nervousness, do you think? And can anyone suggest how I might be able to change this behaviour so that he is more calm when he approaches other dogs?

I often attempt to distract his attention by touching him lightly to 'break the tension', but this only works momentarily. He doesn't respond to his name being called when he's approaching (or being approached by) another dog.

Other dogs don't seem to be bothered by his body language, but their owners sometimes think he is about to attack, so I'm forever having to explain that it's more nervousness than aggression. So far he hasn't shown any sign of aggression to another dog, except to snap at them if they try to mount him!

Any ideas?

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Original poster
Molesworth · 30/03/2009 15:35

Oh, meant to add that his lack of a tail makes his body language harder to read

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moondog · 30/03/2009 15:37

Read this
best dog (and people) manual ever ever ever.

Original poster
Molesworth · 30/03/2009 15:41

Aha, thanks for reminding me of that book moondog - it has been on my amazon wishlist for a while. I've been doing a fair bit of reading on dog behaviour/training, but I'm still not sure how to approach this 'problem' (it's not a major problem but I would like to understand what he's 'saying' with this crouching business, and help him to overcome it somehow).

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Original poster
Molesworth · 30/03/2009 16:44

Oh and he doesn't seem to know how to (or be interested in) playing with other dogs. He'll often say hello to the other dog then turn all his attention on their owner. Are some dogs just not that into other dogs?

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MitchyInge · 30/03/2009 16:49

sounds like a hesitant sort of play bowing?

some dogs are definitely people dogs though, yes

MitchyInge · 30/03/2009 16:50

is it like this? play bow

magnolia74 · 30/03/2009 16:52

Front end down is bowing for play, sounds like he is just a bit hesitant. I wouldn't worry at all if he's not showing aggression

Some dogs are not into the full on chase each other round the field type play and will just meet and greet and then move on.

Original poster
Molesworth · 30/03/2009 16:55

It's not a play bow, no He looks exactly like a cat stalking prey. If he had a tail it would be a lot easier to interpret!

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MitchyInge · 30/03/2009 17:00

you could enrol in training classes to help him get used to being with other dogs - visit alone first though, some have a wild free-for-all before or after the training and others are more controlled when it comes to the dogs meeting one another

or look for a socialisation group, I run a few each week and while not every dog turns into an exuberant socialite almost all of them learn how to say hello and behave nicely around other dogs - including one dog who'd been locked upstairs for her first 18 months of life and was terrified of everything.

Original poster
Molesworth · 30/03/2009 17:07

Thanks MI, I think that's what I'll do. I've done a bit of research into local training/socialisation classes and get the impression they're mainly aimed at puppies. Does the age of the dog matter? I've noticed he's very patient with puppies and their crazy yapping, whereas he's more wary of older dogs.

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magnolia74 · 30/03/2009 17:13

I am going to a class on saturdays at the moment with my nearly 5 year old slightly dog on dog aggressive cross breed and its going really well. It is aimed at all ages and its going back to basics to hopefully teach her some manners

Always a good idea imo

MitchyInge · 30/03/2009 17:15

I know, there was a desperate need for adult socialisation groups here - all that was on offer was puppy classes, and they were all a bit too boisterous to be much use to anyone. Even if you could just find a well run training class that would be a great start. Sounds like he is doing really well to have bounced back from such a serious incident last year. Good luck!

magnolia74 · 30/03/2009 17:17

Where abouts are you mole?

mistlethrush · 30/03/2009 17:18

We took our rescued by then 1yr old dog to puppy socialisation classes as she was so nervous (she had been badly treated and not socialised before we got her) - she was the only dog sculking round the edge of the hall and trying to get out of the door or onto the chairs...

hercules1 · 30/03/2009 18:27

We had a dog that did that exact behaviour. I did find out what it meant but cant remember what. It wasnt an aggressive thing, I think it may have been his way of seeing how the other dog was going to be.

Original poster
Molesworth · 30/03/2009 19:04

Thanks so much all - I'm in central London magnolia. We had a great walk this afternoon - there's a bunch of dog owners who all walk together most afternoons, so we joined up with them, and that way Champ gets to walk with other dogs regularly. Perhaps he'll learn from the other dogs? I will definitely look for some adult socialization/training classes though.

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magnolia74 · 30/03/2009 20:33

I go to training at Imbercourt which is where they train the police dogs in Esher. Harry who does the classes is also a dog behaviorist and is amazing. Probably a bit far from london though.

Winetimeisfinetime · 30/03/2009 20:52

Hi molesworth. I have 2 Boston Terriers [ and a Dachshund } and one of my Bostons does the crouching/stalking thing. He doesn't just lower his front end though - it's a full on crouch. It is not a nervous thing with him as he can sometimes be a bit bolshy with other dogs - it just seems to be his signal that he's spotted another dog.

Bostons are lovely dogs with loads of character and I hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours. I know what you mean about the useless little tail not helping you to know what they are thinking. We had had one of ours for about 6 years before we ever saw his stumpy little tail wag - when he first saw our guinea pigs who he loves and only ever wags his tail for them.

Original poster
Molesworth · 30/03/2009 23:57

Oh wow, another Boston owner, hello winetime!

Yes, his is often a full-on crouch too (it varies slightly with every other dog he meets), but he doesn't tend to show signs of submission (rolling on to his back etc) and I haven't yet seen him be aggressive. Maybe it's just one of his foibles, or perhaps he is more wary than he used to be because of the attack.

Living where we do he can hardly avoid socializing with other dogs, so I'll see how it goes and if I can find a suitable class I'll have a go at that with him.

Thanks again for all the suggestions everyone

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Winetimeisfinetime · 31/03/2009 21:13

Hello back molesworth - don't often meet other Boston owners.

Just had a look at your profile, hoping to see a photo of your doggie - he looks just like our eldest dog, Boris who will be 11 this summer. We also have Percy who is 6 and Della the dachshund who is 2. I will have to try and out some photos up of them.

Bostons are a fab breed, really good family dogs so I'm sure you'll have great fun with yours once he's fully settled in. If you ever want any 'Bozzie' help or just to talk about how nice they are, give me a shout.

Original poster
Molesworth · 31/03/2009 23:27

Thanks winetime

I've just put some more photos of Champ on my profile - would love to see some pics of your dogs (we used to have a black and tan Daxie called Henry).

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bella29 · 01/04/2009 13:18

I think you're right, Molesworth - it does sound like he's wary. Understandable given his history.

I had a JRT who used to do something similar because he was basically scared of other dogs.

Some pictures here for you:

here

Winetimeisfinetime · 01/04/2009 15:23

Molesworth I have put some photos, that I took of the dogs this morning, on my profile.

I'm afraid they're not brilliant as they were a bit reluctant to pose today.

Percy is the 'croucher' and Boris is the old man that in his youth looked a lot like Champ.

Funnily enough, as you can see, our Daxie is a black and tan { standard size } too !

Original poster
Molesworth · 01/04/2009 20:48

Lovely pictures winetime - Boris really does remind me of Champ!

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Original poster
Molesworth · 01/04/2009 20:49

I meant to ask you, do you use harnesses for your Bostons? Champ has a nylon harness but I'd like to get him a fabric/meshy one. I tried a couple of padded nylon ones on him today in the pet shop, but his chest is so deep that they didn't fit properly (he has a 24" chest). I wondered if you might know where I could get a harness that would be a good fit for a Boston ...

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