​Understanding calming signals in livestock guardian dogs is essential for anyone who owns these remarkable animals. These dogs are not just protectors of livestock and beloved companions; they are also complex beings with unique ways of communicating needs and emotions. Calming signals are subtle behaviors that indicate a dog’s desire to relax, de-escalate tension, or simply express comfort with their environment. Recognizing these signals can enhance the bond between the guardian dog, livestock, and their humans, fostering a more harmonious living and working situation. (Calming signals apply to all dogs, but we are specifically referring to LGDs for this article.)

 Common calming signals in livestock guardian dogs include body language cues such as yawning, licking their lips, or averting their gaze. A dog may yawn not only when tired but also to relieve stress. Lip licking can signal that the dog is uncertain or anxious, while avoiding direct eye contact can express submission or non-aggression. Livestock guardian dogs use these calming signals with other dogs, livestock, and humans to communicate their emotions and intentions. Recognizing these behaviors is crucial for understanding the dog’s emotional state. By being attuned to these signals, owners can create a more supportive environment for their LGDs that encourages positive behavior while avoiding conflicts caused by misinterpreting their dogs’ body language.

Prancing Pony Polar, a Maremma Sheepdog, displaying calming signals to Mini Nubian does and their newborn kids

Another vital calming signal to observe is the dog’s posture. A relaxed dog usually has a loose body and a wagging tail, signaling it is at ease. In contrast, a stiff body posture or a raised tail can indicate tension or alertness. These signals are particularly important in livestock guardian dogs, who must balance vigilance against predators with the calm presence necessary to comfort the animals they protect.

Most LGDs have a soft, “puppy-like” appearance that puts the livestock at ease. A well-bred and properly socialized mature LGD will exhibit calming behavior toward the stock, putting the animals they guard at ease. (Puppies take time to learn this behavior.) You will often observe an LGD crouching low in the presence of a doe or sheep and her newborn young, asking permission to approach. Or you may observe the dog lying on their back, belly exposed, with tiny kids or lambs. The livestock guardian dog intentionally offers this behavior to signal to the livestock that the dog poses no threat to them.

Prancing Pony ET, a young Maremma Sheepdog with Ectrodactyly, gives a superb display of calming signals to show these newborn Mini Nubian kids that she is safe to approach. ET loves her baby goats!

Being able to interpret these nuances can lead to better management of the LGDs and can also help prevent potential conflicts or misunderstandings with livestock, other LGDs, or humans, particularly visitors the dog doesn’t know. LGDs, by nature, are often wary of strangers. This is particularly true if they perceive a potential threat to whatever they guard. For this reason, their owners must understand how to interpret canine body language to keep human visitors safe and prevent stress for the dog. This applies equally to working livestock guardian dogs and companions. A livestock guardian dog is still an LGD, regardless of whether it guards livestock or its human family.

 Understanding calming signals in livestock guardian dogs ultimately fosters a deeper relationship based on trust and respect instead of control and dominance. Training with positive reinforcement is key to succeeding with LGDs but truly understanding dogs and their needs is an equally important and often overlooked part of the equation. By recognizing and responding appropriately to these calming signals, livestock guardian dog owners can provide an environment that promotes the dogs’ well-being and the livestock’s and human’s safety.

This understanding can be incredibly rewarding and helpful to dogs and humans alike. The ability to interpret these behavioral cues makes training LGDs and managing their role as guardians easier while allowing their owners to respect and appreciate their dogs for the amazing animals they are.

Observing your dog’s body language is crucial in understanding its emotional state, especially when gauging feelings of calmness and relaxation versus signs of stress or aggression. Dogs exhibit a range of calming signals that indicate they are at ease. For instance, a dog lying down with its belly exposed or gently resting on the ground usually signifies comfort. When your dog wags its tail loosely with a relaxed, loose body posture, it can also indicate a calm and happy dog. It’s essential to pay attention to the ambient situation; if there’s little environmental stress and your dog exhibits these behaviors, it’s safe to say they feel calm.

Understanding calming signals in livestock guardian dogs can be particularly important given their protective instincts and roles. For example, a livestock guardian dog may sit or lay down with an open mouth and a relaxed posture while observing its surroundings, signaling that it feels secure in its environment. Often, these dogs appear to be doing nothing more than napping or being lazy. Make no mistake, they are on watch and assessing the situation, but as long as they know there is no danger to the livestock or their human family, they will remain very relaxed and calm. (But let a threat enter the picture, and they will spring into action, displaying very different behaviors!)

Benson Ranch Celeste averting her gaze to show this baby goat that she is safe to approach.

Another telltale sign of a relaxed dog is their ability to settle down with minimal fidgeting. If your companion LGD curls up in a cozy resting spot, it likely trusts the environment and feels safe. Small gestures, such as a slow blink, can sometimes indicate contentment. Like humans, dogs have unique ways of letting you know they are comfortable, and recognizing these signals can deepen your bond with your dog.

Creating a nurturing, predictable environment is vital for promoting your dog’s calmness. Regular routines, gentle and kind interactions, and plenty of physical and mental stimulation can set the stage for relaxation. LGDs, especially puppies and adolescents, must play and burn off energy. Toys and enrichment activities will help prevent them from chasing and harassing livestock out of boredom. Another LGD partner close to their age is the most important tool for keeping LGDs calm, happy, and relaxed. Single LGDs are more stressed, bark more, and engage more in inappropriate behavior with livestock.

Prancing Pony Bear and Prancing Pony Chief use calming signals to show Pearl the cow that they are safe for her newborn calf to be near.

Being attuned to your dog’s signals fosters trust and makes you a better owner and trainer. It provides valuable insights into their emotional well-being, allowing you to support them in feeling secure and calm, which will also carry over into calm behavior with the livestock. When dogs are agitated, their cortisol levels rise, which can lead to aggressive behavior with livestock, other dogs, and sometimes with humans. We want to avoid this if at all possible. With patience and observation, you’ll become more adept at reading your dog’s cues, enhancing your relationship and ensuring a happy, peaceful coexistence between the dogs and livestock.

In the realm of canine communication, “On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals” provides an insightful exploration into the often subtle yet profound ways dogs convey their feelings. This valuable resource delves into the concept of calming signals, which are behavioral cues that dogs use to express comfort, reduce tension, or diffuse conflict with other dogs, humans, and other animals. As LGD owners or enthusiasts, understanding these signals can significantly enhance our interactions with dogs, leading to better emotional well-being for both the pet and the owner.

The book underscores the importance of recognizing these signals to accurately interpret a dog’s emotional state. It offers examples and that demonstrate how dogs utilize body language, facial expressions, and vocalizations to communicate their needs and feelings. For instance, a dog that turns its head away, yawns, or displays a relaxed posture is signaling that it seeks to calm the situation or is feeling at ease. This is especially crucial for those who work with various dog breeds, including livestock guardian dogs. Understanding calming signals in livestock guardian dogs can help handlers maintain harmony in challenging situations, particularly when interacting with livestock or other animals.

Moreover, the insights from “On Talking Terms with Dogs” extend beyond just improving canine-human relationships. They also shed light on the dynamics of canine social structures and interactions. By recognizing and responding appropriately to these calming signals, we can create an environment where dogs feel safe, understood, and respected. This knowledge enhances the owner-dog bond and supports a more peaceful coexistence among different animals.

In summary, “On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals” serves as an essential guide for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of canine communication. It empowers owners, trainers, and caretakers with the skills to interpret their dogs’ behaviors more effectively, fostering a stronger relationship built on empathy and respect. Ultimately, this understanding leads to happier, healthier livestock guardian dogs and livestock and a more harmonious living environment.

 Pros:

A practical introduction to dog behavior

Easy to read and understand

Written by an expert in dog behavior

Addresses canine body language

Cons:

Not a quick fix for serious behavior issues