CANINE BEHAVIOR: A PHOTO ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK

Dogs have deliberate, subtle, and often humorous ways of expressing themselves. Canine Behavior: A Photo Illustrated Handbook, includes 1000 images of dogs, wolves, coyotes, and foxes. This book was created for everyone interested in dogs – pet owners, trainers, veterinarians, ethologists and behaviorists. Using the interdisciplinary language of photography, Barbara Handelman illustrates and explains canine behavior and communication. This book establishes a common understanding and vocabulary for people interested in working with dogs.

This book compares the behavior inventory – ethogram – of the wolf (Canis lupus) with the behavior patterns and expressions of various breeds of dogs. Since the wolf is now recognized as the ancestor of our dogs, this comparison is very meaningful. The impression is that while the various breeds of dogs have their own characteristics, the basic motor patterns are the same as those of wolves. The Ethogram based on our wolves at WOLF PARK, is an expansion of one originally prepared by Erik Zimen based on the European wolf. What this photoillustrated handbook does is to provide a common language to dog people when they talk about the behavior of their dogs. All dog owners, breeders and trainers will find this unique book a very useful addition to their library.

– Erich Klinghammer, Ph.D, Eckhard H Hess Institute of Ethology, Wolf Park, Battle Ground, IN

For the serious student of canine body language, Barbara Handelman’s marvelous compilation of photos offers a detailed look at the many subtle and not so subtle ways that dogs speak dog. This book features the work of some talented photographers capturing a wide variety of dogs behaving – well, like dogs! A worthwhile addition to any dog professional’s library.

– Suzanne Clothier, Lecturer, Trainer and author of Bones Would Rain from the Sky:

Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs

Peer Reviews

By emphasizing the more easily readable signals given by the wolves, this book will help people interpret the more subtle signals given off by dogs. By showing the same responses in the wolf and the dog, the book will make it so much easier for learners to have that ah ha – lightbulb goes on" moment of understanding.

Barbara Handelman has gone where no one else has taken this subject before, and bridged the gap to facilitate real understanding of canine behavior.

– Debi Davis, Assistance Dog Trainer,

Retired Faculty Member of Karen Pryor’s Clicker Expo

"Finally, there is a canine behaviorist who understands that the ancestral wolf is ever present in the DNA of our domestic dog and is the template for much of the behavior observed in our ‘best friends’. Canine Behavior: A Photo-Illustrated Handbook illustrates canine body language better than any other book out there."

– Charles J. Berger, DVM, has been a trail vet for major endurance races including 5 Iditarods and 2 Yukon Quests. Dr. Berger currently lectures at Dartmouth College on the Evolution and Biology of the Dog.

"The book includes an amazing, well organized collection of photos, depicting a good selection of canine behaviors that all dog owners need to recognize and understand. I enjoyed reading the scientifically accurate interpretations and explanations of the behaviors. Although the book is full of knowledge, reading never became boring due to the illustrations as well as a sense of humor and love for dogs that is evident in your work. The book illustrates not only the knowledge Barbara Handelman has accumulated, but also her deep love for our canine companions. I will gladly recommend the book to clients, friends, and family as every dog owner, regardless of training and expertise will enjoy this book.

– Petra Mertens, DVM, PhD, FTAV, CAAB, DACVB Assistant Professor Behavior Medicine, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine

An extremely thorough reference work.

– James O’Heare, CABC, Author, Aggressive Behavior in Dogs and The Dog Aggression Workbook; President, Companion Animal Sciences Institute

Peer Reviews

By emphasizing the more easily readable signals given by the wolves, this book will help people interpret the more subtle signals given off by dogs. By showing the same responses in the wolf and the dog, the book will make it so much easier for learners to have that ah ha – lightbulb goes on" moment of understanding.

Barbara Handelman has gone where no one else has taken this subject before, and bridged the gap to facilitate real understanding of canine behavior.

– Debi Davis, Assistance Dog Trainer,

Retired Faculty Member of Karen Pryor’s Clicker Expo

"Finally, there is a canine behaviorist who understands that the ancestral wolf is ever present in the DNA of our domestic dog and is the template for much of the behavior observed in our ‘best friends’. Canine Behavior: A Photo-Illustrated Handbook illustrates canine body language better than any other book out there."

– Charles J. Berger, DVM, has been a trail vet for major endurance races including 5 Iditarods and 2 Yukon Quests. Dr. Berger currently lectures at Dartmouth College on the Evolution and Biology of the Dog.

"The book includes an amazing, well organized collection of photos, depicting a good selection of canine behaviors that all dog owners need to recognize and understand. I enjoyed reading the scientifically accurate interpretations and explanations of the behaviors. Although the book is full of knowledge, reading never became boring due to the illustrations as well as a sense of humor and love for dogs that is evident in your work. The book illustrates not only the knowledge Barbara Handelman has accumulated, but also her deep love for our canine companions. I will gladly recommend the book to clients, friends, and family as every dog owner, regardless of training and expertise will enjoy this book.

– Petra Mertens, DVM, PhD, FTAV, CAAB, DACVB

Assistant Professor Behavior Medicine, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine

An extremely thorough reference work.

– James O’Heare, CABC, Author, Aggressive Aggressive Behavior in Dogs and The Dog Aggression Workbook; President, Companion Animal Sciences Institute

It is necessary to know your species when training any animal. This is primarily a book depicting ethological explanations for behavior using text accented with beautiful photographs. The book also contains a very nice photo-illustrated chapter on behavioral principles called Learning Theory Terminology and Methodology. The series of photographs of Luca being taught to curl up in laundry basket are worth the cost of the book!

– Kellie Snider, MS Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst, Co-Developer of the Constructional Aggression Treatment for Dogs. www.animalbehavioranswers.com

"My bookshelf has a new, permanent addition! Written in a clear, wellorganized manner, Canine Behavior: A Photo-Illustrated Handbook is terrific for professionals and pet owners alike. The nuances of canine body language are incredibly well documented and illustrated. I find myself referring to it often just to find out a little more about the communication between my dogs."

– Melissa Alexander

Maxwell Award Winning Author of Click For Joy

This book is a resource for anyone who is interested in getting to know the species better. The photographs by Monty Sloan, from Wolf Park, are a marvelous attraction. They must cover years of photography and it is always great fun to see the similarities in language between canids. The alphabetical organization and numerous cross-references make this a useful and easy to use reference for dog professionals, kennel owners, shelter workers and veterinary technicians. This is a book that will be well-thumbed in no time!

– Brenda Aloff, Maxwell Award winning author of

Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide; Positive Reinforcement: Training Dogs In The Real World; Aggression In Dogs; Foundation Behaviours For Every Dog; and Get Connected With Your Dog.

What a unique and valuable resource! It contains well-researched information from a variety of sources combined with outstanding photographs! A great addition to anyone’s library who works with or around dogs.

– Ken Ramirez, Vice President of Animal Collections and Training at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, author of Animal Training: Successful Animal Management Through Positive Reinforcement, Faculty member Karen Pryor Clicker Expo

Barbara Handelman can be reached at

Tel: 802-649-5213

Fax: 802-649-5240

www.WolfandWordPress.com

This book is available at:

Dogwise

701B Poplar

Box 2778

Wenatchee, WA 98807-2778

Orders: 1.800.776.2665

www.dogwise.com

Also by Barbara Handelman:

Clicker Train Your Own Assistance Dog. A 4-DVD Set.

Temperament Evaluations: Selecting Canine Candidates for Working Careers. DVD.

Dog-to-Dog Communication. DVD. Coming Soon.

Cover Design by Barbara Handelman & Douglas Lufkin, Lufkin Graphic Designs

ISBN 978-0-9765118-2-3

Canine Behavior ~ A Photo Illustrated Handbook

Copyright 2008 by Barbara Handelman, M.Ed, CDBC

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, scanning, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information herein.

Although every effort has been made to identify as trademarked the first use of trademarked terms in the text, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for omissions of or errors with respect to trademarks.

First Edition

First Printing, April 2008

The last digit is the print number 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Dedication:

I dedicate this book to my husband, Bob.

With the twirl of a maple seed

You entered my heart.

We nurtured two spirits

They giggled and grew.

With roots in the gardens

Wings carry them far.

Gray hairs accent

Our love as it deepens.

And to Debi Davis.

I cherish your being in my life.

You are my friend, my mentor, and my spiritual sister.

Your voice resonates within me now and forever.

Acknowledgments:

Many people helped to weave this book together. I could not have done it without them. I want to especially thank the following individuals:

My human family, Bob, Kali, and Sasha – each of you contributed to this book in your own way. Your patience and faith have meant more to me than words can say.

All the dogs who have enriched my life, especially Beau who is present in my earliest memories, Spoon, Moss, Skye, Spin, Moon, Luca and Pan, for accompanying me through my adult years and teaching me about sheep herding, disability service work, and the often humbling tribulations of agility competition.

My sisters Elly Rubin and Joanne Leonard – you have embraced me with your confidence and vision. I am thankful for all we continue to share as our lives evolve.

Lore Haug and Sue Alexander, my primary editors, I cannot begin to describe your generosity. Your contributions ensured accuracy and clarity within the book. Your patience with my endless questions, frequent frustrations, and moments of panic proved boundless. I cannot imagine having made it through this creative process without your support. Thank you, also to Sophia Yin, who brought fresh eyes to the project in the eleventh hour.

Dee Ganley, you have mentored me with great patience.

Doug Lufkin – I owe you so much. You have seen this project through from its rough-edged beginnings to its polished completion. Your artful touches are everywhere in the book. It has been a rare gift to work so closely with you. Your boundless patience and playfulness lent humor to our work, especially when it seemed we had embarked on a never-ending creative adventure

To Marie Ricketts, thank you for our ever-deepening friendship, and for urging me to abandon the computer and join you for the splendor of our country road walks. You have read through the book’s many iterations and offered valued comments and critiques.

Monty Sloan – thank you for your faith in me. I appreciate your trusting that I could do justice to your incredible photographs. Your images give the book power, depth and humor. Most of all, thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge about our friends, the wolves.

I thank Cindy Arnold, for your careful proof-reading and Robyn Mosher for stepping in to take over the intricate task of creating the index.

Thank you also to veterinary behaviorist, Sophia Yin, who brought fresh eyes to the project in the eleventh hour.

There was never a king like Solomon

Not since the world began

Yet Solomon talked to a butterfly

As a man would talk to a man.

Rudyard Kipling

Legends speak of the biblical character, King Solomon, who was able to talk the language of animals, which was hidden from all other humans.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Peer Reviews

Foreword by Lore I. Haug

Keys To Using This Book

Introduction

What is Behavior?

Observing Behavior Without Making Judgments About Intention

Canine Cast of Characters

Section 1:

Acquired Bite Inhibition – Amplitude

Acquired Bite Inhibition (ABI)

Affiliative

Aggression

Aggressive Behavior Classifications

Alliance Aggression

Barrier Frustration/Aggressive Behavior

Biologically-Based Aggressive Behavior

Competitive Aggressive Behavior

Defensive Aggressive Behavior

Dominance Aggressive Behavior

Drug-Induced Aggressive Behavior

Fear-Related Aggressive Behavior

Group-Related Aggressive Behavior

Idiopathic Aggressive Behavior

Intra-Sex Aggressive Behavior

Maternal-Protective Behavior

Pain-Related Aggressive Behavior

Play Escalation/Predatory Drift

Play Skill Deficits

Predatory Aggressive Behavior

Proximity Sensitivity

Punishment-Elicited Aggressive Behavior

Redirected Aggressive Behavior

Resource Guarding – Aggressive Behavior

Ritualized Aggressive Behavior or Threats

Social Aggression

Submissive-Aggressive Behavior

Territorial Aggressive Behavior

Trained Aggressive Behavior

Agonistic Pucker

Allelomimetic Behavior

Allogrooming

Alpha

Alpha Roll

Amplitude

Section 2:

Anatomy

Organ Systems

The Brain

Scent Perception

Facial Anatomy

External Anatomy

Skeletal System

Internal Organs

Ear Positions

Airplane Ears

Ears Erect or Angled Forward

Ears Back – Appeasement

Wicked’s Varied Ears Back Positions

Ears Semi-Erect, Turned Outward Towards Sound

Ears Flattened Back

Pinch Ear

Seal Ears

Relaxed Ears

Eyes

Dilating Eyes

Hard Eyes

Soft Eyes

Whale Eye

Lips

Tail Positions

Border Collie

Anatolian Shepherd

Section 3:

Anthropomorphism – Butt Sniff

Anthropomorphism

Appeasement or Pacifying Behaviors

Appetitive Behavior

Arousal

Attack

Avoidance Behavior

Bark Lunge

Bitch Wars

Bite Inhibition

Body-Slams

Bow

Boxing

Butt Sniff (Also Called Perianal Investigation)

Section 4:

Cache – Displacement Behavior

Cache

Calming Signals

Caution

Chin-Over

Circle Investigation

Clasp

Commissure of the Lips

Communication

Compulsive Disorders

Conspecific

Consummatory Behavior

Consummatory Face

Coprophagia

Crouch

Cruising Behavior

Cursorial

Curving Body Lines

Cut-Off Signals

Demeanor Shifting

Digging

Dimorphism

Displacement Behavior

Section 5:

Distance – Distress

Critical Distance

Flight Distance

Social Distance

Distance Decreasing Behaviors

Distance Increasing Behaviors

Distress

Section 6:

Domestication – External Stimuli

Domestication

Dominance

Epimeletic Behavior

Epiphenomenon

Et-Epimeletic Behavior

Ethogram

Ethology

Eustress

Evolutionary Continuity

Evolutionary Roots of Behavior

Excretory (Also Called Eliminative Behavior)

External Stimuli

Key Stimuli

Section 7:

Face Off – Functional Systems

Face Off.

Facial Markings

Fear

Fear Display

Feint and Parry

Fixed Action Patterns (FAP)

Flooding

Foreleg Stab

Freeze

Frontal Cortex

Functional Systems

Section 8:

Gape – Greeting Behaviors

Gape

Give Eye

Greeting Behaviors

Section 9:

Habituation – Hip Slams

Habituation

Hackles

Head Lowered

Head Press

Head Tilt

Head Turn

Head Turn with Body Turn-Away

Height Seeking

Herding

Heterochrony

Hip Nudge Greeting

Hip Slams

Section 10:

Infantile – Investigatory Behavior

Infantile or Neonatal Behavior

Ingestive Behavior

Inguinal

Inguinal Display

Inguinal Sniff

Instinct

Investigatory Behavior

Jaw Punch

Jaw Wrestling

Lateral Display

Section 11:

Learning Theory Terminology and Methodology

Learning

The Stages of Learning

Cues, Prompts, Reinforcements, Responses,

Rewards and Stimuli

Cues

Prompts

Reinforcement (R)

Primary Reinforcer

Secondary Reinforcer

(Conditioned Reinforcer or Bridging Stimulus)

Unconditioned Response

The Premack Principle

Rewards (Reinforcers)

Unconditioned Stimulus

Conditioned Stimulus

Event Marker (Secondary or Conditioned Reinforcer)

Fluency

Operant Conditioning

The Five Segments of Operant Conditioning

Positive Reinforcement (R+)

Negative Reinforcement (R-)

Positive Punishment (P+)

Negative Punishment (P-)

Schedules of Reinforcement

Extinction

Extinction Burst

Stimulus Control

Conditioned Responses

Classical Conditioning

Counter Conditioning

Training Outcomes

Single Stage Behaviors

Behavior Chains or Multi-Stage Behaviors

Desensitization

Latency

Learned Helplessness

How Dogs Learn New Behaviors

Social Learning

Molding (Also Called Modeling)

Luring

Targeting

Capturing

Shaping

Successive Approximations

Terminal Behavior

Luca and the Laundry Basket

The Five Ds: Duration, Distance, Distraction,

Diversity, and Difficulty

Duration

Distance

Distraction

Diversity

Difficulty

Section 12:

Lick Intention – Locomotion

Lick Intention

Limbic System

Lip Licking

Locomotion

Crawl

Amble

Walk

Trot

Canter

Pace

Gallop

Accelerate

Leap Away

Leap Off

Leap Up

Leap Run

Leap Attack

Observation Leap

Lunge

Descending

Swim

Section 13:

Lumpy Whisker Bed – Muzzle Punch

Lumpy Whisker Bed

Marking Behaviors

Maternal Behaviors

Metasignals

Play or Threat: How Do Dogs Know Which it Is?

Mob

Motivation of Behavior

Muzzle Grab

Muzzle Nudge

Muzzle Punch

Section 14:

Neophobia – Pin

Neophobia

Neoteny

Nibble Groom

Nose Boink

Paedomorphosis

Parallel Walking

Pawing

Paw-Lift

Paw Over Back

Paw Thwack

Penis Crowning

Pica

Piloerector Reflex (Raised Hackles)

Pin

Section 15:

Play – Play Face

Categories of Play

Locomotory Play

Object Play

Interactive Object Play

Solo Object Play

Predatory Play

Kill Shake

Kill Toss

Killing Bite During Play

Social Play

Play Fighting

Play Face

Evolutionary Changes and Selective Breeding –

The Impact on Play in Domestic Dogs

Section 16:

Play in Domestic Dogs – Pounce

Play Styles

Polydipsea

Polyphagia

Pounce

Section 17:

Predation

Predatory Motor Patterns

Scan

Orient

Freeze

Eye Stalking

Testing

Wearing & Lateral Movements

Chase

Charge or Pounce

Grab Bite

Kill Bite

Cache or Consume

Section 18:

Puppy Behavior – Regurgitate

Puppy Behavior/Socialization

Puppy License

Push Off

Rally

Rebuff

Redirected Activity

Redirected Behavior

Regurgitate

Section 19:

Relaxation Postures

Turning in Place

Back Sleeping

Curled Resting Posture

Sprawling Sphinx Rest

Sprawling Sphinx Sleeping

Straight Line Sleeping Sphinx

The Frog Sphinx

Lateral Reclination

Using Pillows

Section 20:

Reproductive & Sexual Behavior

Courtship

Mounting • Pelvic Thrusts • Intromission

Ride Up

Copulatory Tie

Washing Up After Intromission

Attend

Denning

Section 21:

Resource Guarding – Stereotypic Behaviors

Resource Guarding

Ritualization

Rolling

Scent Rolling

Rub On

Scoot

Scratching

Self-Control

Self-Handicapping and Role Reversing Behaviors

Separation Anxiety

Shake Off

Slow Downs

Sneeze

Sniffing

Snow Plow

Social Hierarchies

Socialization

Soft Curves

Sparring

Spatulate Tongue

Splitting

Squash

Standing On

Standing Over

Standing Tall

Stereotypic Behavior

Section 22:

Stress

Stress

Not All Stress is Negative

Indicators of Mild Stress

Indicators of Moderate Stress

Indicators of Extreme or Severe Stress

Section 23:

Stretching – T-Formation

Stretching

Submission

Active Submission

Submissive-Aggressive Behavior

Obnoxious Submission

Passive Submission

Submissive Grin

Submissive Urination

T-Formation

Section 24:

Tail Chasing – Umwelt

Tail Chasing

Tail Wagging

Tame

Taxonomic Classification

Taxonomy

Temperament

Threat Behavior

Threat Behavior as Part of a Functional System

Defensive Threat Behaviors

Threat Behavioral Examples

Tongue Flick

Tongue, Spatulate

Toss

Turn Away

Turning Backs to Stress

Umwelt

Section 25:

Vacuum Behavior – Zoomorphism

Vacuum Behavior

Vocalizations

Whiskers Flared

Whiskers, Lumpy Bed

Worried

Yawning

Zoomies

Zoomorphism

Section 26:

Final Quiz – What is Happening?

Quiz Answer Key

Photography & Design Credits

Collage and Cover Photo Credits

Works Cited

Topical Bibliography

God made the earth, the sky and the water,

the moon and the sun. He made man and

bird and beast. But He didn’t make the dog:

He already had one.

– Native American Saying

Foreword

Those of us that have been involved in canine related fields for decades remember the paucity of information on canine behavior that was available back when. Truly, years ago there was no information on dog behavior, only on dog training. We tried to understand, and communicate with, our most intimate animal companion by interpreting their behavior within the framework of human social rules. When this was unsuccessful, we treated dogs as variably colored wolves and found this approach wanting as well – for the simple reason that dogs are not wolves.

We now have a rich collection of resources on canine behavior. We appreciate that dogs are