Part IV — Behaviour and training

4.1 Canine communication — reading body language

• Ears — forward = alert/interested; back and flat = fear or appeasement; back and tense = stress.
• Eyes — soft blink = calm; hard stare = threat or fixation; whale eye (whites showing) = fear or discomfort.
• Mouth — soft open = relaxed; closed and tense = alert or stress; yawn = de-escalating signal (unless tired).
• Tail — the myth is 'wagging = happy'. The truth: high and stiff = arousal (not necessarily happy); low and wagging widely = happy; tucked = fear.
• Body — loose and wiggly = playful; stiff and forward = alert / threat; low crouch = fear or play-bow depending on other cues.
• Hackles (piloerection) — arousal, not necessarily aggression; can indicate fear or excitement.

4.2 Vocalisations

• Bark — alert, alarm, demand, or play. Context and pitch matter.
• Howl — social contact, response to specific sounds, sometimes pain.
• Whine — appeasement, request, or discomfort.
• Growl — warning; NEVER punish a growl (it's honest communication; punishing it removes the warning without removing the underlying state).
• Yip / yelp — surprise or pain.
• Sigh — contentment or resignation.

4.3 Common behavioural conditions

• Separation anxiety — distress when left alone. Signs: destruction near exits, vocalisation, elimination. Behavioural modification + sometimes medication class.
• Fear and phobias — thunderstorm and firework phobias are common in cities, especially during storm seasons and festivals or holidays. Desensitisation and safe-space provision.
• Reactivity — barking / lunging at triggers (other dogs, people). Distinct from aggression; often fear-based.
• Resource guarding — protecting food, toys, or spaces. Management and gradual desensitisation.
• Compulsive disorders — tail-chasing, flank-sucking, spinning. Bull Terrier, German Shepherd. Complex management.
• Aggression — must be assessed in context (predatory, resource, fear, redirected, inter-dog, or medical). Never assume 'dominance'.

4.4 Training principles

• Positive reinforcement is the evidence-based standard: rewarding desired behaviours (food, praise, play) is more effective and welfare-compatible than aversive correction.
• Timing matters — reward within ~1 second of the desired behaviour.
• Consistency across household matters.
• Short frequent sessions (5–10 min) beat long infrequent sessions.
• Socialisation window (3–14 weeks) — expose puppies to a wide range of people, dogs, environments, sounds, and surfaces. Reasonable vaccination-linked outings (not the ground where unvaccinated street dogs frequent).
• Aversive tools (choke chains, prong collars, e-collars) are increasingly discouraged by veterinary behaviour specialists. Some jurisdictions may regulate their use.

4.5 When to consult a behaviour specialist

• Aggression — any bite (including a snap) warrants professional assessment.
• Severe separation anxiety — self-injury, house destruction.
• Compulsive behaviours that interfere with normal life.
• Behavioural change of sudden onset — first rule out medical (pain, endocrine, neurological) causes.