Abstract
By providing background on ca· nine olfactory, auditory and visual communication, this paper hopes to clarify common human misin· terpretations of dog behaviour. Visual displays are subdivided into displays of rank (dominant and submissive), and displays of erno· tion (aggression and fear). Tail wagging, friendly communication, greeting behaviour in dogs. compared to the human handshake, as well as attention seeking behaviour are discussed. The influence of human selection in breeding on visual displays illustrates the effect of human interference in canine communication. The paper does not aspire to be recognised as a critical academical investigation, or to provide documentation of original research. It merely attempts to provide insight through basic theoretical comments, supported in part by existing literature, and in part by the author's own experience.
Publisher
University of Johannesburg
Reference14 articles.
1. Animal behaviour. vol 2: Communication. Edited by T.R. Halliday and P.J.B Slater. 1983. London: Blackwell Scientific Publications.
2. BEAVER, B.V. May 1981. Friendly communication by the dog. Veterinary medicine/ small animal clinician, vol. 76, no. 5, p.647-649.
3. BEKOFF, M. Sept 1977. Social communication in canids: evidence for the evolution of a stereotyped mammalian display. Science. Vol. 197, no. 4308, p.1097-1099. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.197.4308.1097
4. BRADSHAW, W.S. and LEA, A.M. 1992. Dyadic interactions between domestic dogs. Anthrozoos, Vol. 5, no. 4, p.245-253. https://doi.org/10.2752/089279392787011287
5. DUNBAR, I. Dec 1994 & Jan 1995. Body language. Dogs Today, p.24-25.