Dog and Wolfdog Calming Signals: Paw Lifts

Ethologists (animal behaviorists) believe calming signals are hardwired automatic responses, meaning they are not deliberate, but they are inherent tactics of self-preservation.

For example:

If something suddenly flies toward your face, you will flinch. There’s no thought involved.

So even though the signals are used to defuse arousal in another animal, it’s more like flinching.

Of all the calming signals, none provokes as much sympathy than the paw lift. The paw lift is also often misinterpreted as a cute gesture of affection, and sometimes it is, but I’ll get to that in a minute.

When used as a calming signal, the paw lift is usually accompanied by other signals, like head turning and licking. Phrases like, “Please don’t hurt me,” is how people describe it from the dog’s point of view.

Many dog owners get a “paw lift” signal during early encounters with their pups. They see it as cute and reinforce it by rewarding “paw” with food or praise, and it is cute. As long as the dog makes the switch between its use as a calming signal and its use as a treatable trick, there’s nothing wrong with it because most dogs do.

“Paw” can also be useful as a simple first step to communication with a new or timid dog. Dogs, especially when feral or poorly socialized don’t understand our human words and praise has meaning. By praising and rewarding this adorable automatic signal, the dog can put together “paw” treat, praise… communication.

Better yet, people respond positively when they do it. Shelter dogs really benefit from the “paw” gesture at adoption events.

Now, dog/human communication is not as simple as I described, but after working with feral and poorly socialized animals, one word seems to open many doors. I always think of Helen Keller’s revelation with the word… “water”… that one word opened the door to communication.

Pawing has other uses, like attention seeking, but there are obvious differences between batting you playfully to get attention and a cautious paw lift.

However as I always note, like any behavior, calming signals have the potential to become pathological in nature when they disrupt daily activities or effect health. Seek professional help or talk to your veterinarian if this is the case.

See the original article about calming signals here:

http://wolfermagic.blogspot.com/2013/08/dog-and-wolfdog-behavior-calming-signals.html