The mystery of dog communication

[hheldorfer]

DH and I have noticed that, as Buffy and Ziggy have settled in to their life together, a definite communication has developed between them. This is no surprise, but we've been trying to interpret some of their language. Buffy has always been the leader and mother hen, protecting Ziggy and showing him the ropes. Now I think she has started congratulating him when she approves of something he does. On our walk one morning Ziggy flushed a rabbit from a shrub and, after the initial excitement, Buffy approached him, tail wagging, and gave him a series of little nibbles on his snout, which he accepted gladly. She has done this at other times, too - when he returns to the door after a run in the yard, for example. I'm beginning to think it's the dog version of a high-five. Has anyone else noticed this form of Cairn communication?

[pindrop]

As we only have Layla, I wouldn't know but I think that's so cute how your dogs do communicate. I have no doubt that pack members must have a way of communicating with one another. Just as with Layla, different barks mean different things and we are well versed in her ability to let us know what she wants as she is definitely a talker. I've never had a dog that "speaks" as much as she does.

PBS had a special on (not that long ago) - and recorded tests were conducted on dogs different barks - when it was played back for humans in 99% of the cases, humans knew what the different barks meant (distressed - happy - wanted to play etc.) Further tests showed that a dog can determine when we are distressed or unwell quite easily. As dogs have grown up with human companions, so has their ability to communicate with us and each other.

[Idaho Cairns]

Cairns are verbal, I know our two most certainly are, espcially little Bonnie who has a whole repetoire of huffs, snuffles, mini-barks, and growls that she goes thru. It just so happens that I have a video taken Christmas night at my BIL's house (big surprise, me with a video!), that shows both dogs but especially Bonnie talking to some poor cold unfortunate neighborhood cat that wandered on the deck to get close to GD Avah who was playing by the door. Bonnie, as you can hear, litterly "hums" at the miscreant feline that has the audacity to show up outside. As you will notice their are few barks but the dogs certainly let the cat know it is in the danger zone with this litany of Cairn "Smack Talk"! Enjoy and turn your speakers up.

[Hawkeye]

Great topic! Bailey & Radar definitely have their own communication. They have truely become very close and are now joined at the hip. They are usually in the same room and many times sleeping together somewhere; floor, sofa or in front the slider doors. In the beginning Radar would taunt Bailey with a toy by shoving it in his face and then pulling it back as if to say "you want a piece of this". But I now have seen Bailey do the same to Radar. Then they have a daily play that is so sweet. They start off by smelling each others ears and face and then start nibbling on each others necks and legs, which then turns into a very gentle wrestling game. The amazing part is they don't make a sound and you know how verbal they can be. I feel it's showing affection toward each other. This is a different play than when they are running through the house chasing and doing the snarly/growly play - usually a toy is involved with this kind play. As I'm typing this the two were laying here with me when Bailey pops up and bolts out of the room to check the slider doors for prey and a split second later Radar leaps off hubby's lap and is by Bailey's side protecting us from what evils lurks outside...the wind.

Once again Idaho, another great video. I've never posted a video -- I'll have to work on that.

[Lynn in TN]

Well I only have one but she is very verbal with us. She also gets real excited with some things we do and nips at our noses not in a hurting manner she rarely hurts us while using her mouth now believe it or not. We no longer call her JAWS. She play bites us a lot but it is so soft and gentle it's amazing. She was frightened by the trash truck a few weeks back and we have been having trouble with her barking a lot, but I know after a while of telling her no the barking will be under control. She has gotten so good at telling us when she needs to go potty. Once (right after Christmas) the Kids and DH were playing with their presents Kelly couldn't get there attention, I was in the bedroom folding clothes and she came up to me and started jumping and nipping and pulling on my pants legs at first I thought she was playing but she got more excited and was pulling me really hard so I followed her and she started jumping at the door like she was trying to reach the knob so I grabbed her leash and she barely made it down the porch steps before she started peeing. Talk about communication MOMMY I GOT TO GO NOW!!!! She never potties that close to our home. She is so cute and is so smart!

[Malcolm's Dad]

Darn I wish I could see videos on this old pc. Malcolm is a talker too. Grunts, huffs, growls, little whines, and now I think he is purring like a cat. When he feels like napping on my lap I'll pet him and he will doze off. I hear these little grunts, like he is grumbling softly.

Buffy and Ziggy are so cute. And smart!!

[Islander]

I have never heard a dog make the noises that Gus makes...his moans and groans when the cat next door passes by our front door are truly amazing.

When we go hiking with big buddy Sasha (Great Pyrenees/Malamute) he does something very funny...off leash he has the terrier tendency to approach other dogs with a (playful but easily misunderstood) growl, and I have really worked hard to get him to "Wait!" and be quiet. Now when he sees another dog approaching he will start growling and jumping all over Sasha (she usually pays no attention). He jumps up and grabs her neck fur and makes a lot of noise. It's like he is showing off for the strange dog - "See how big and tough I am - I can attack this 120 pound dog!!" Maybe I will get it on video some time. Always makes us laugh.

[Napo]

too funny, Napoleon.. is a big talker too. We know when grandma is coming.. when one of the kids is coming home... mailman is a special one, he gets to scratch the window when Mailman is coming and he most defenitly has a special bark for him.. when he tattle tales on Sammy his bark is so different than any other time, Sammy loves to steal food and since he can reach the countertop and Napoleon can's he makes sure that Sammy won't get his share unless he gets his first!! too funny....

[KShep]

DH and I have noticed that, as Buffy and Ziggy have settled in to their life together, a definite communication has developed between them. This is no surprise, but we've been trying to interpret some of their language. Buffy has always been the leader and mother hen, protecting Ziggy and showing him the ropes. Now I think she has started congratulating him when she approves of something he does. On our walk one morning Ziggy flushed a rabbit from a shrub and, after the initial excitement, Buffy approached him, tail wagging, and gave him a series of little nibbles on his snout, which he accepted gladly. She has done this at other times, too - when he returns to the door after a run in the yard, for example. I'm beginning to think it's the dog version of a high-five. Has anyone else noticed this form of Cairn communication?

I only have one dog, but we are considering another sooner or later. I think that might make me jealous. I'm not sure how I feel about Ripley giving attention to another dog more than she gives to me! Selfish? Yes, but it's my thinking right now.

So true about these talkative cairns. Ripley is not noisy...but is always trying to tell me something. SO smart!

[jo_]

I only have one dog, but we are considering another sooner or later. I think that might make me jealous. I'm not sure how I feel about Ripley giving attention to another dog more than she gives to me! Selfish? Yes, but it's my thinking right now.

So true about these talkative cairns. Ripley is not noisy...but is always trying to tell me something. SO smart!

KShep...off topic to the original post but I had the same worry before we adopted our 2nd. I wondered if Jagger would want any attention from me if she had a permanent playmate. For the first almost two months that was the case...she would barely let me pet her. To be honest there were times I missed her even though she was still here. But now I'm happy to say she loves to cuddle and is always up for playing when I make the time. Both dogs love playing with each other but are thrilled when the humans want to join in and both are becoming more and more affectionate the older they get. While two is a handful at times (our two are both under 1.5 yrs) it really is double the love and definitely double the laughs.

[Dempsy's Mom]

As you know, Demps loves to tell off others - his favorite past time. He leaves the house barking and hopes that he runs into something worthy of his barking.

Digger is 14 now - big ole' lab. Demps wishes Digger was younger, but he can get Digger to run and actually play. Demps grunts and darts in and out and I can actually see Digger smile. It's so sweet. And Digger also tells Demps when she's to tired.

One more communication I love - Demps sleeps in his little bed next to us and whenever Jim gets up during the night and comes back to bed he reaches down and gives Demps a scratch - Demps will give him the cutest little growl. Like don't bug me I am having a great dream!