I am looking at this photo of Deuce and Rio and I am trying to decipher what Deuce is “thinking/feeling”. I am still left wondering - even though I was there when John took the photo and I know the context surrounding it.
My previous background as a professional photographer also informs me that images are not as “innocent ”as we think they are.
They are open to many interpretations. In the 19th century when photography was the new kid on the block, people believed in the concept that images exposed “reality”. Now we know better.
When it comes to learning about dog’s body language and communication, our best option is video as we can see their language and communication unfolding. Behavior is always in flux!
But just for the heck of it, here are my thoughts about what I think is going on in this picture.
Firstly I will try to keep it factual: Only commenting on what I see, and move away from “interpreting” (at least as my first line of defense) as to what I think is going on. Here we go…
Rio is standing in front of Deuce and to his left side- blocking some of the pathway in the direction where Deuce is moving.
She is looking at Deuce - mouth closed; not open and relaxed. Deuce is taking a step in the direction where Rio is standing, also mouth closed and his eyes looking in the direction of Rio , his expression ambivalent.
When it comes to interpreting dog body language, we must look at the entirety of the dog’s body. Focusing in on only one body part will most likely send us down a rabbit’s hole.
I think this process is made easier when we take a quick overall look at the entirety of the dog’s demeanor and then go back to paying attention to specific body parts and the environment.
Once we have done that bit, we can begin to interpret. The good news is that there is scientific data regarding dog communication so we are not altogether going out on a limb when we “interpret” what the communication might mean.
Dogs are masters at controlling each other's movements (approach and avoidance, for example) by how they position themselves in relation to one another. A dog that has good dog/dog communication will “read” this space- management cue and respond accordingly by giving the other dog ample personal space. Don’t you love it when people around you respond to your cues about wanting more
personal space? Same with dogs.
Since I was already inside, I have no idea if Deuce continued to walk towards Rio, or if he stopped or even turned around making a bee line for the front door, which was behind him.
Deuce and Rio are really good buddies so they might take certain liberties with one another that they probably would not do with another dog who did not know as well. On the other hand, they remain good buddies precisely because they respond with good social graces towards each other’s cues.
Here is an example: I am reading in bed with both dogs next to me. It is early in the morning. Rio is ready to interact, bringing me her tug toy for me to pull. I resist and instead flash her a smile and send the toy flying… she loves this game too and it will give me a few seconds of reading. Deuce is lying quietly, not interested in high-level activity from Rio. Without missing a bat, Deuce gives Rio the most subtle look (so subtle I almost missed it) and Rio stops in her tracks. Her expression is one of deference (an interpretation :)) towards Deuce.
She is now lying quietly and she appears to be holding her breath. Eyes averted away from Deuce. This got me thinking… can you imagine how much better our relationships with our significant other would be if we responded with such swiftness to our partner’s desires and corporal cues?
I pat Rio to give her some comfort now that the wind has been taken out of her sail and I go back to reading, yet distracted wondering about dogs and their very intimate ways of communicating.
My previous background as a professional photographer also informs me that images are not as “innocent ”as we think they are.
They are open to many interpretations. In the 19th century when photography was the new kid on the block, people believed in the concept that images exposed “reality”. Now we know better.
When it comes to learning about dog’s body language and communication, our best option is video as we can see their language and communication unfolding. Behavior is always in flux!
But just for the heck of it, here are my thoughts about what I think is going on in this picture.
Firstly I will try to keep it factual: Only commenting on what I see, and move away from “interpreting” (at least as my first line of defense) as to what I think is going on. Here we go…
Rio is standing in front of Deuce and to his left side- blocking some of the pathway in the direction where Deuce is moving.
She is looking at Deuce - mouth closed; not open and relaxed. Deuce is taking a step in the direction where Rio is standing, also mouth closed and his eyes looking in the direction of Rio , his expression ambivalent.
When it comes to interpreting dog body language, we must look at the entirety of the dog’s body. Focusing in on only one body part will most likely send us down a rabbit’s hole.
I think this process is made easier when we take a quick overall look at the entirety of the dog’s demeanor and then go back to paying attention to specific body parts and the environment.
Once we have done that bit, we can begin to interpret. The good news is that there is scientific data regarding dog communication so we are not altogether going out on a limb when we “interpret” what the communication might mean.
Dogs are masters at controlling each other's movements (approach and avoidance, for example) by how they position themselves in relation to one another. A dog that has good dog/dog communication will “read” this space- management cue and respond accordingly by giving the other dog ample personal space. Don’t you love it when people around you respond to your cues about wanting more
personal space? Same with dogs.
Since I was already inside, I have no idea if Deuce continued to walk towards Rio, or if he stopped or even turned around making a bee line for the front door, which was behind him.
Deuce and Rio are really good buddies so they might take certain liberties with one another that they probably would not do with another dog who did not know as well. On the other hand, they remain good buddies precisely because they respond with good social graces towards each other’s cues.
Here is an example: I am reading in bed with both dogs next to me. It is early in the morning. Rio is ready to interact, bringing me her tug toy for me to pull. I resist and instead flash her a smile and send the toy flying… she loves this game too and it will give me a few seconds of reading. Deuce is lying quietly, not interested in high-level activity from Rio. Without missing a bat, Deuce gives Rio the most subtle look (so subtle I almost missed it) and Rio stops in her tracks. Her expression is one of deference (an interpretation :)) towards Deuce.
She is now lying quietly and she appears to be holding her breath. Eyes averted away from Deuce. This got me thinking… can you imagine how much better our relationships with our significant other would be if we responded with such swiftness to our partner’s desires and corporal cues?
I pat Rio to give her some comfort now that the wind has been taken out of her sail and I go back to reading, yet distracted wondering about dogs and their very intimate ways of communicating.
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