Scientists reveal 19 gestures that dogs use to communicate with their owners
Do you understand 'dog'?
Last updated 20th Jun 2018
Scientists at the University of Salford have recently found that there are 19 gestures that dogs do in order to communicate with their owners - have you noticed them?
The researchers signed up 37 dogs with their owners and filmed their movements, which were then analysed to work out what they were trying to say. With everything from rolling over, to lifting their paws, the dogs were watched, and their intentions studied.
The study, which was published in the journal Animal Cognition, found that different dogs has different signals for the same request, for example in one case a dog might roll on its back when it wants its tummy scratched, whilst another dog might nose their owner's leg, wanting the same result.
Despite some differences, the most common gesture the researchers found was the 'head turn' which was used by dogs when they turned towards an object they were interested in. Unsurprisingly most of the time the object that the dog turned towards was its food bowl!
See all 19 gestures which were identified and what they mean.
1. Roll over - 'Tickle my tummy'
Rolling onto one side of the body and exposing the chest, stomach and groin.
2. Head under - 'Get me my toy'
Plunge headfirst underneath an object or human.
3. Head forward - 'Scratch me'
Move the head forwards and up to direct a human's appendage to a specific location on the body.
4. Hind leg stand - 'Play with me'
Lift front paws off the ground and stand on hind legs, front paws are not resting on anything.
5. Head turn - 'Get me that'
Head is turned from side to side on the horizontal axis usually between a human and an apparent object of interest.
6. Shuffle - 'Scratch me'
Shuffle whole body along the ground in short movements, performed whilst in roll over position.
7. Back leg up - 'Scratch me'
Lifting of a single back leg whilst lay on one side of the body.
8. Paw hover - 'Get me my toy'
Hold one paw in mid-air whilst in a sitting position.
9. Crawl under - 'Get me my toy'
Move entire or part of body underneath an object or a human's appendage.
10. Flick toy - 'I'm hungry'
Hold toy in the mouth and throw it forwards, usually in the direction of a human.
11. Jump - 'I'm hungry'
Jump up and down off the ground, human or an object, usually while staying in one location.
12. Paw reach - 'Give me that'
Placing a single paw or both paws underneath another object to retrieve an object of apparent interest.
13. Nose - 'Scratch me'
Pressing nose (or face) against an object or human.
14. Lick - 'Scratch me'
Licking an object or human once or repetitively.
15. Front paws on - 'Open it'
Lifting both paws off the ground and resting them on an object or human.
16. Paw rest - 'Get me my toy'
Lifting a single front paw and resting it on an object or human.
17. Head rub - 'Get me my toy'
Involves rubbing the head against an object or human on which the signaller is leaning on.
18. Chomp - 'Play with me'
Involves opening the mouth and placing it over the arm of a human whilst repeatedly and gently biting down on the arm.
19. Paw - 'Get me my toy'
Lifting of a single front paw to briefly touch an object or human.
Are you a dog owner who can relate to these gestures?
Do you know what your dog is trying to say?