|
It is important that you know how to read your animal. The
Wolfdog, has an excellent chart on body language.
Below are pictures showing examples of different body language
Submission:
 |
|
| The male is submitting to the dominant female
(female is on opposite side of male). Note the tucked tail, ear
and head position. |
In this picture, the ears are down, eyes shut, the animal
is squatting and the tail is tucked tightly between its legs. This
animal is also exhibiting submission. |
 |
 |
| The male on the left is submitting to the alpha male on
the right. Note that the ears are back and down in
submission whereas the alpha is showing more dominant body language by
forward ears and a raised tail.
Both of these pictures were furnished by Sue Cranston of Indigo
Mountain Nature Center.
|
Here is another picture of the beta male showing
further submission to the dominant male. |
Aggression:
 |
 |
| At first glance, the pup appears to be showing
aggression. However, when you look more closely you will see
that the eyes are closed and that the ears are back. The pup is
yawning.
|
In this photo, the animal is showing mild aggression or
threat. Note the partially raised hackles and tail, the stiffness
of the legs, and the forward position of the ears.
|
|
In the picture on the left, the male in the
foreground is exhibiting his alpha status by the erect
raised tail, the forward ears, the growl, stiff posture -
note the submissive posture of the animal in the background. He is
on the ground, looking away and his ears are back.
|
 |
 |
The above two pictures shows the female (right) grouching at the male on her
left. Both are pups. This display has more to do with who is going
to be petted first than actual aggression. (Note the hair on the grass in
the picture on the right. This is a very small example of what your lawn will
look like during the molt.)
Play:
 |
 |
| This is typical play, none of the animals in this picture
are showing any signs of aggression.
|
The pups in this picture are learning through
play.
|
 |
|
| This is an example of mouthing. Please note that
everything is down and back. There are no signs of aggression. |
|
(More pictures will be added in the future - please check back.)
|
