Calming signals

In the past, studies on social behavior in wolves have been used to provide insight on social behavior patterns in domesticated dogs. Although the domesticated dog (C. familiaris) share a common ancestor with the wolves and may present certain similarities, distinct differences in morphology and in the environment in which the two species evolved can cause the transpiration of inaccurate conclusions about communication behavior patterns in domesticated dogs when applying knowledge gained by the study of wolves. Thus, the grouping of ancestral and descendant species is not found to be an appropriate method for studying calming signals in domesticated species of dogs. The threshold for aggressive behavior in domestic dogs varies from that of wolves. Most domestic dog breeds are less likely to engage in aggressive behavior than their ancestral counterparts, and are therefore more likely to display calming signals to defuse conflict. In dog breeds that differ greatly from wolf morphology, like pugs, some visual signals will be absent or highly modified as they no longer have the physical capacity or means to convey these signals. Neoteny can also account for the loss of certain visual signals in domestic dogs and the retention of novel signals over subsequent generations. == Types of Calming Signals ==

Dogs use visual, auditory, and olfactory indicators to communicate with both conspecifics and other species, such as humans. The majority and most well-studied calming signals are visual, and are sometimes accompanied by auditory cues (i.e. a sharp whine accompanying a yawn). Examples of Visual Calming Signals Examples of behaviors classified as calming signals: • Head turning • Softening of the eyes • Turning away • Lip and/or nose licking • Freezing of the body • Slow body movements • Displaying a play bow • Sitting • Lying down • Yawning • Sniffing the ground • Walking in a curve • Wagging the tail in a low position • Reducing body size • Licking the recipient's mouth • Blinking • Smacking of the lips • Lifting a paw The behavioral patterns listed above have the potential to be used as calming signals, but are only classified as such in the appropriate context. For example, a dog lying down when resting would not be considered a calming signal, but a dog lying down when approached by another dog would be considered a calming signal. Thus, calming signals are context-dependent behavioral responses to a dog's environment. Not all calming signals have the same efficacy in de-escalating aggressive encounters or conveying a dog's intention and dogs preferentially display certain calming signals over others depending on external factors such as distance between the sender and the recipient of the signal, and familiarity of the recipient to the sender. A dog is most likely to display a calming signal when it is directly interacting with another dog and when the dogs are separated by a small distance. Lip-licking is a calming signal whose use is noted to increase in frequency as the distance between the sender and the recipient decreases. However, sniffing the ground and yawning, which are both considered calming signals, are most often displayed when the distance between the sender and the recipient increases. Calming signals that are most commonly displayed by dogs overall are freezing, licking of the nose, and turning of the body away from the source of the escalation (i.e. a dog baring its teeth or growling). == Dog-Human Interactions ==

Domestic dogs display interspecific signaling, specifically towards humans. Dog 06-back (cropped).jpg|Turning the head aside, looking away. Paisible (cropped).jpg|Yawning during the sensation of an unnatural touch. Nannydog01 (cropped).jpg|Licking the nose during an unwelcome embrace. Ketzel in her stylish headgear (cropped).jpg|Licking the nose wearing an Elizabethan collar. Understanding canine calming signals is crucial to experiencing positive interactions with dogs. Children under the age of six are least likely to correctly interpret auditory and visual calming signals displayed by dogs and, in the US, younger children have a greater probability of becoming victims of a dog attack. == Conspecific Interactions ==

Calming signals are often used by dogs post-conflict to diffuse aggressive behaviors and to regain a peaceful social environment. Dogs have evolved peacemaking social mechanisms to alleviate, prevent, or resolve conflicts. Some of these behavior mechanisms are calming signals. Social groups of dogs display two types of post-conflict calming signal behavior patterns: the two opponents of the conflict display the calming signals (reconciliation), or between a third-party member of the social group and one opponent (third-party initiated post-conflict affiliation). Familiarity and distance between two individuals affects the frequency of use of calming signals and the types of calming signals used. Calming signals are used between dogs to prevent the escalation of an agonistic encounter. Intraspecific calming signals can be voluntary, such as licking the lips, or involuntary, such as the release of odors from glands during high-stress interactions. In both cases, the recipient receives the signal, understands its meaning, and acts on this information, often taking action to mitigate the stressful environment by changing their body language or demeanor. Dogs meeting (cropped).jpg|Brown dog: Softening eyes, ears back, reducing body size, lifting a paw. Doberdore and White Shepherd (cropped).jpg|Brown dog: Ears back, sitting. Dogs social behaviour 1.jpg|Golden dog: freezing, showing his side. Calming signals of dogs.jpg|Dominant male shows peaceful intentions by licking his nose. Calming signals are not displayed in intraspecific interactions when the level of aggression or threat exceeds the aggression threshold of the sender. In these cases, dogs are more likely to rely on submissive behaviors than calming signals. Calming signals are only useful to a dog when there is a great enough probability that the direction of the encounter can be changed to de-escalate aggression. == References ==