Animal Body Language and Behaviour

Animal Body Language and Behaviour

Introduction

• Humans can communicate what is going on with them, and animals can, too.

• The difference is, while humans primarily use verbal communication, dogs mainly communicate non-verbally through the use of body language and secondarily through vocalizations.

This body language includes...

• Tail carriage and movement

• Ear and eye position

• Body position and movement

• Facial expressions

• Knowledge of body language, and the ability to accurately identify it, will help decipher what an animal is trying to communicate. 

So what drives behaviour?

• The external environment

• Hormones

• Instinct and reflexes

• Motivation

• Evolution

Body Language in Horses

Key areas to observe

• Ears

• Nostrils

• Chin

• Lip line

• Head height

• Muzzle angle

• Overall outline/tail

Ears

• If the horses ears are above the neckline it means the horse is alert

• The direction of the horse's ears show its direction of attention

• If the horses ears are low or lower than the neckline it means the horse feels under threat or defensive

Nostrils

• If the horses nostrils are rounded, soft and full it means the horse is relaxed and confident

• If the horses nostrils are long, thin, drawn out and tight it means the horse is tense

Combing signals

• In combination with head position, the ears and nostrils may contribute to the expressions of:

• Forward attention

• Lateral attention

• Backward attention

• Alarm

• Aggression

• Submission

Chin

• If a horses chin is loose, protruding and soft it means that the horse is relaxed and comfortable

• If the horses chin is tight, drawn up, rigid or behind the top line it means the horse is tense

Lip line

• If the horses lip line is soft and curved it means the horse is relaxed and comfortable

• If the horses lip line is straight and tight it means the horse is tense

Head and muzzle movement

• Snaking and moving side to side indicates an aggressive threat

• Licking and chewing may indicate anxiety, a dry mouth, dehydration or physical stress

• Vertical movements (up and down) can be described as attention seeing behaviour

• (unless this is accompanied by flinching which could indicate headshaking)

• Tossing or shaking the head in all directions may indicate that the horse is irritated

Body outline

• A flat, smooth outline means that the horse is relaxed, confident and relaxed

• A curved or rounded outline may mean the horse is aroused or attention seeking

Tail

• If the horses tail is up or loose it means the horse is relaxed, confident and comfortable

• If the horses tail is clamped down, swishing, or held to the side it may indicate that the horse is uncomfortable or irritated

Kicking and biting

• May be an indication of confidence however is most commonly known as a defensive reaction

• The horse may strike with it's forelimbs or cow kick with the hind legs

• It may kick to the side or rear with one hindleg

Other signs of tension

• Increased respiration rate

• Increased sweating

• Frequent toileting

• Muscle tremors

Other pain indicators

• Decrease in normal activity

• Restlessness

• Lowered head carriage

• Dilated nostrils and clenched jaw

• Reluctance to move

• Aggression to other horses or handlers

A summary of confident and relaxed body language

• Tail - up, loose, swish

• Lip line - curled corner

• Chin - loose, protruding

• Nostrils - round, soft edges

A summary of pain, fear or physical problems body language

• Tail - down, clamped, kinked

• Lip line - straight

• Chin - tucked, tight, under

• Nostrils - long, thin, taught edges

Summary of danger signs

• Mouth open, teeth bared

• Head down, muzzle extended

• Ears pinned back

• Nostrils thin, drawn or wrinkled

• Head swinging towards you

• Tail swishing/clamped

• Lifting hind legs

Body Language in Dogs

A happy dog...

• 1. Dog has a relaxed body posture, smooth hair, mouth open and relaxed, ears in natural position, wagging tail, eyes normal shape.

  2. Dog is inviting play with bottom raised, smooth hair, high wagging tail, eyes normal shape, ears in natural position, may be barking excitedly.

  3. Dog's weight is distributed across all four paws, smooth hair, tail wagging, face is interested and alert, relaxed and open mouth.

A worried dog...

• 1. Dog is standing but body posture and head position is low. Tail is tucked under, ears are back and dog is yawning.

  2. Dog is lying down and avoiding eye contact or turning head away from you and lip licking and ears are back.

  3. Dog is sitting with head lowered, ears are back, tail tucked away, not making eye contact, yawning, raising a front paw.

An angry or very unhappy dog...

• 1. Dog is standing with a stiffened body posture, weight forward, ears are up, hair raised, eyes looking at you ¿ pupils dark and enlarged, tail is up and stiff, wrinkled nose.

  2. Dog is lying down cowering, ears flat, teeth showing, tail down between legs.

  3. Dog is standing with body down and weight towards the back, head is tilted upwards, mouth tight, lips drawn back, teeth exposed, eyes staring, ears back and down, snarling

Whale eye

• "Whale eye" is a term dog trainers use to describe a dog's body language when the whites of his eyes (the sclera) are visible. The dog will avert his head slightly, but his eyes stay fixed on something or someone. The whites of his eyes will appear in a half-moon shape, usually at either the inner or outer side of the eye, but sometimes all around. Whale eye is sometimes called "half-moon eye.

• Whale eye isn't always easy to detect in all dogs. The eyes of brachycephalic dogs (dogs with short muzzles) may show a bit of white due to their conformation, and any dog may simply look quickly to the side, which briefly uncovers their sclera. If the dog isn't showing any other signs of agitation, what you're seeing may not actually be whale eye. 

Quiz...

Poll

Is this horse happy and relaxed or showing signs of tension and or pain?

• Relaxed

• Tense and or in pain

Poll

Are these horses happy and relaxed or showing signs of tension and or pain?

• Relaxed

• Tense

Poll

Is this horse happy and relaxed or showing signs of tension and or pain?

• Relaxed

• Tense

Poll

Is this dog happy and relaxed or showing signs of tension and or pain?

• Relaxed

• Tense

Poll

Is this dog happy and relaxed or showing signs of tension and or pain?

• Relaxed

• Tense

Poll

Is this dog happy and relaxed or showing signs of tension and or pain?

• Relaxed

• Tense

Poll

Is this dog happy and relaxed or showing signs of tension and or pain?

• Relaxed

• Tense