Dogs have a very varied body language that sometimes their tutors do not understand well. However, the key to harmonious coexistence between people and dogs depends to a large extent on the correct interpretation of gestures and canine language.
In this article by Animal Expert, we will explain why the dog raises the front leg, showing up to 8 different situations in which this behavior can be observed. Each of them will be accompanied by other signs that will indicate more precisely what your dog is trying to say. Read!
- Like humans.
- Dogs demonstrate their own signs.
- Vocalizations and postures that are used to express their desires and moods.
- As well as to communicate with their peers and other species.
- The so-called “signs of calm”.
- In this sense.
- People often misunderstand the actions and reactions of their animals.
- Especially when compared to human norms.
- As is the case.
- For example.
- When they attribute feelings of guilt to the dog or humanize it.
This not only creates a misrepresentation of what the dog is really trying to express, but also prevents human companions from understanding what they want, which ultimately creates problems at home and can lead to stressed and aggressive dogs when their basic needs are not met. they’re full.
If you don’t understand many of the things your dog does, you may not have stopped to discuss your behavior or understand the language you use to talk to you. Among these gestures, one of the most curious occurs when dogs raise their foreleg. You want to know what that means? Here are all the possibilities:
Some breeds are distinguished by their incredible skill with the legs, such as the Boxer, to whom many attribute their name precisely to the innate ability to use both front legs in various situations, in a much more noticeable way than other dog breeds. Another example is the English pointer, which owes its name to the posture it takes when it feels its prey raising its front leg. [1]
When a dog raises its foreleg during a walk, the meaning is clear: its dog performs the hunting sequence. It is very common to observe it precisely in hunting dogs, such as beagles, arms and podencos, however, almost all dogs can do it.
The hunting sequence comprises several phases: tracking, hunting, hunting, catching and killing, however, it is when the dog feels the prey that raises the paw. Some of the signs that accompany this characteristic posture are the taut tail and the raised snout. You can also do this by sniffing a trail in your environment.
Likewise, it is not necessary to be in nature for the dog to lift the front leg, it is sufficient that it finds a particular smell or a particular drag in the city for it to perform this instinctive behavior. Maybe he’s looking for a piece of pizza or trying to follow a dog’s urine in heat. In this particular case, the dog may also lick the urine of the other dog to obtain more information about it.
Sometimes we can see the dog raise his foreleg and, soon after, do the tempting posture to play, extending both forelegs, with his head down and the half tail raised.
If your dog takes this position, keep in mind that it’s the so-called “game arc” and invites you to have fun together. You can also dedicate it to other dogs.
Lifting the front leg as a synonym for play can also be combined with a slight tilt of the head, so the dog wants to communicate that he is curious about you. Your favorite toy can even be where you can hold the object in your hand, so the dog will kick you to tell you that you want to play with it.
Sometimes, when two dogs interact and one of them is particularly fearful or submissive, the most fearful can lie down and raise their paws in calm sign to finish the game or to indicate that they are not comfortable. This usually occurs when the other dog is particularly active, rough and even aggressive.
Another situation that causes the dog to lie down and lift the front leg is when it has been or is scolded. It is important to note that this is not a submissive position, as in the relationship between dogs, because the dominance in dogs is intraspecific, that is, it happens only with members of the same species.
In these cases, in addition to showing the belly and lifting one or both legs, the dog will show the ears back, the tail down and can even remain still. In this case, the dog indicates that he is afraid and wants us to stop scolding him.
When the dog lifts its foreleg to place it on your hand or knee while looking at you, it means it wants your attention or affection. This connotation of wanting to be caressed can also be accompanied by other signs, such as rubbing your snout and even giving small soft bites on your hand. There are also dogs that, when caressed, repeat the gesture of placing their paw in the hand of their human guardian to indicate that they want the candy to continue.
Why does the dog lift the front leg to repeat the condition? This is usually due to learning, as the dog learns that when he performs this behavior, humans pay attention to him. In addition, we usually reinforce this gesture with caresses and affection, so that the dog continues to show it.
If you have taught your dog paw, you are likely to perform this command regularly when you practice obedience and dog skills with him or when you are simply looking for a reward for it. It is important to strengthen the dog only when we ask for order, not when he wants, because it is the only way to achieve good canine obedience.
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