ysabetwordsmith (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2024-08-29 08:02 pm
ysabetwordsmith) wrote2024-08-29 08:02 pm
Entry tags:
Animal Communication
More humans should learn to speak "Doggish"
Dogs are better at understanding humans than we are at understanding dogs. Dogs reveal their feelings through sounds, facial expressions, and, most prominently, body postures. By observing dogs, humans can learn to pick up what pups are "saying." Science journalist Jennifer S. Holland recommends dog owners learn to translate "Doggish" and adjust their expectations so dogs can be dogs.
Teaching humans to understand canine communication is not hard. Teaching them to care about it is the hard part. Used to be, people were warned, "Don't tease the dog" and "Don't approach strange dogs." This was common sense and avoided a lot of problems. Now they try to train dogs to endure whatever harassment humans want to heap on them. This is not good for either dogs or humans. Good luck teaching people to respect boundaries and consent in a culture so hostile that by now it makes sure people don't develop those things growing up.
Some guides:
https://pitbulladvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dog-Body-Language-Infographic-2-1-scaled.jpg
https://pitbulladvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dog-Body-Language-Infographic-3-scaled.jpg
https://pitbulladvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dog-Body-Language-Infographic-4.jpg
Wolves have similar language:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/88/97/bd/8897bd5f37ee59311ac5ca1bfed5e4e4.jpg
https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-891403841f4ae30b7784fb3887c95d0d-pjlq
https://courses.oermn.org/pluginfile.php/19291/mod_page/content/1/bodypostures.jpg
Much the same holds true for other animals. Cats, horses, they all have their own ways of communicating. One excellent example is The Body Language of Horses: Revealing the Nature of Equine Needs, Wishes and Emotions and How Horses Communicate Them - For Owners, Breeders, ... All Other Horse Lovers Including Handicappers by Tom Ainslee & Bonnie Ledbetter. You want to know which horse to bet on? Watch the ears.
Dogs are better at understanding humans than we are at understanding dogs. Dogs reveal their feelings through sounds, facial expressions, and, most prominently, body postures. By observing dogs, humans can learn to pick up what pups are "saying." Science journalist Jennifer S. Holland recommends dog owners learn to translate "Doggish" and adjust their expectations so dogs can be dogs.
Teaching humans to understand canine communication is not hard. Teaching them to care about it is the hard part. Used to be, people were warned, "Don't tease the dog" and "Don't approach strange dogs." This was common sense and avoided a lot of problems. Now they try to train dogs to endure whatever harassment humans want to heap on them. This is not good for either dogs or humans. Good luck teaching people to respect boundaries and consent in a culture so hostile that by now it makes sure people don't develop those things growing up.
Some guides:
https://pitbulladvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dog-Body-Language-Infographic-2-1-scaled.jpg
https://pitbulladvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dog-Body-Language-Infographic-3-scaled.jpg
https://pitbulladvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dog-Body-Language-Infographic-4.jpg
Wolves have similar language:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/88/97/bd/8897bd5f37ee59311ac5ca1bfed5e4e4.jpg
https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-891403841f4ae30b7784fb3887c95d0d-pjlq
https://courses.oermn.org/pluginfile.php/19291/mod_page/content/1/bodypostures.jpg
Much the same holds true for other animals. Cats, horses, they all have their own ways of communicating. One excellent example is The Body Language of Horses: Revealing the Nature of Equine Needs, Wishes and Emotions and How Horses Communicate Them - For Owners, Breeders, ... All Other Horse Lovers Including Handicappers by Tom Ainslee & Bonnie Ledbetter. You want to know which horse to bet on? Watch the ears.
no subject
That said, I'm fluent in many mammalian languages. I can communicate some bird and even a little reptile too. And a tiny smattering of fish as well, but that's hard unless you're underwater with them.
And I agree with acelightning73, my feline/mammal communication would be better if I had my ears, whiskers and tail again!
Yes ...
This matches my observations.
>>That said, I'm fluent in many mammalian languages. I can communicate some bird and even a little reptile too. And a tiny smattering of fish as well, but that's hard unless you're underwater with them.<<
Your range seems wider than mine. Well, I can mimic bird calls well enough to get answers. And occasionally passes from amorous lady cardinals, followed by hysterical challenges from outraged males.
>>And I agree with acelightning73, my feline/mammal communication would be better if I had my ears, whiskers and tail again!<<
I do sometimes get "Where the hell is the rest of you?" looks from wolves while chatting with them.
Re: Yes ...
For me, I tend to use more body language than sound. I have had male cardinals answer me though.
"I do sometimes get "Where the hell is the rest of you?" looks from wolves while chatting with them."
Yup! For certain animals that seem "in the know" they always give me confused looks like they know what I really am, but the outside visual package doesn't match and they can't figure out why.