CONTRADICTIONS AND SUBTLETIES

b e h a v i o r Contradictions and Subtleties

In this final part of her series on body language, Kathie Gregory moves into the realm of cats and dogs in addition to horses, focusing specifically on the behaviors and vocalizations associated with play

© Can Stock Photo / Virgonira Play can be difficult to read as the instincts and motivations that contribute to how an animal plays are not always obvious; we need to look closer to determine how each individual animal is actually feeling

It takes time to recognize the nuances of body language and vocalizations, and to be able to differentiate between when they are in tune with each other and when there is conflict between the two. But with practice, we can learn to interpret the language of animals interacting with people and other animals.

Positive Emotional State

So let’s start with what we might typically expect to see in a positive vs. negative state of mind during an interaction. When an animal is in a positive emotional state, soft body language is more relaxed and the body looks fluid, easy, and open. The positioning of the body is in tune with, and relevant to, the activity and the animal or person they are with. Sharper, quicker body language has an enthusiasm about it — but is still fluid. It still retains its open quality, and positioning remains in tune with the fellow participant. Movements are generally equal between participants, who compensate for each other as they are in tune with each other and the activity. They participate together.

Soft vocalization has a rich, open quality to it. The tone is inviting and those who hear it feel safe, and that the animal is happy. When the animal is more enthusiastic, we still hear a rich open tone, but it can be louder and have a throatier aspect. It also tends to be more precise. And it can often be lengthened.

Negative Emotional State

Conversely, when an animal is in a negative emotional state, soft body language looks contained and is not fluid or open. The positioning of the body is more about protecting oneself, but this may not be overt; it can be very subtle. Sharper, quicker body language has an intensity to it. It can look like there is a purpose to the movement, which tells you that there is some sort of intent within the mind. Unlike soft body language in a negative emotional state, these intense movements are fluid, but there are definite start and stop moments compared to the ongoing fluidity of positive body language. It is also less open, so you see slight differences in the positioning of the body in relation to the animal or person they are around. Also, rather than compensating for the other, you can see that the animal is no longer in tune with his participant and is doing his own thing, not acting with the togetherness you see with positive body language.

Soft vocalization can have a reedy or throaty tone to it. It sounds as though there is a constriction within the throat, stopping the sound from being full and rounded. The tone makes you take notice, but there is no surety from the animal as to which way his emotions will go. When the animal is in a stronger negative emotional state, the voice becomes more strident and sharper. It often becomes staccato, but equally it can be long and drawn out.

When an animal is in a positive emotional state, soft body language is more relaxed and the body looks fluid, easy, and open. The positioning of the body is in tune with, and relevant to, the activity and the animal or person they are with.

It should be easy to identify emotions when there is a strong positive or negative response, but this is not always the case. Generally, we see a strong response as a negative, and a soft response as a positive. But if we look at the nuances, we can see that it is not that simple. When animals play, we can see the range of nuances and subtleties in behavior that reflect individual emotional states: positive, negative, or conflicted.

Play Behavior

I’m now going to present a really good example of how we sometimes assume that a strong response is negative. Some clients of mine were having problems with their two young cats. They did not like each other and would fight when together. One cat chased the other all the way through the house, and by the time the owners reached the two cats, the other one was doing the chasing back through the house. They were both quite intense, with lots of vocalizations.

The owners rarely let them be together as they were scared the cats would injure each other. Upon observing the situation, it was immediately obvious to me that the two cats were having a whale of a time! The play was equal, body language was open, and vocalization, whilst loud and throaty, was actually open and resonant. There were no signs of defensiveness, being out of synch with each other, or strident vocalization.

We do have to be mindful that when things get intense, we may see a change from a positive to a negative emotional state. Giving the cats the chance to have a good play, while checking their emotions did not intensify, allowed them to wear themselves out, feel satisfied, and settle down together. Once the owners realized that the cats were not fighting, they relaxed and the cats were no longer separated.

As we can see, we still have to look at body language and vocalizations, even when we think it is obvious what is going on. Play is one activity where it is easier to see the subtle differences in body language compared to other situations, if you are not used to reading nuance. You can use this information to pick up on the less easy to see subtle body language animals display when they are in different situations, new environments and when meeting people and animals.

So, let’s look at the two scenarios that are easiest to identify first. When both animals are in a positive emotional state, play is equal. The participants do not necessarily make the same types of movements, but they take turns and synchronize their actions. There is give and take, and even though the animals may not be doing the same actions, they are pausing and adjusting for each other. Body language is open, whether the play is relaxed or more intense. Vocalizations are also open and rounded, and they may also be relaxed or more intense.

When one animal is in a negative emotional state, we see play that is not equal. The participants are less aware of each other and rather than being in tune, they are doing their own thing, without adjusting for the other. Body language is not so open for either of them. Even if one of them is in a positive emotional state, there is not the cooperation between the two animals that leads to openness. Vocalizations are also less open for both animals. We hear a pinched and sharper tone of voice.

However, play can be even more difficult to read. The instincts and motivations that contribute to how the animal plays are not always obvious, and so we need to look closer to determine how the animal is feeling.

© Can Stock Photo / raywoo When both animals are in a positive emotional state, participants take turns, synchronize their actions, and adjust to each other accordingly

Subtleties

Here's an example of how breed instincts can blur things. A dog that has an instinct for coursing game can often perform that movement when playing with a smaller dog. We see the dog reach down to grab the smaller one as they run together. Is the larger dog playing or not? We need to look at the subtleties of body language to determine this.

For example, is the play equal, despite different actions from the dogs? If it is equal, the behavior is more likely to be play. If not, could there be another reason for play not being equal? Is the smaller dog comfortable with the big dog’s actions? If he is, unequal play is likely just the result of the different playing styles and how each dog adjusts what he does to engage, or not, with a specific action.

Alternatively, does the smaller dog’s body language seem closed? If he is not comfortable, is the larger dog just trying harder to engage the smaller dog? Are the larger dog's instincts showing in play? Is there an intensity to the larger dog’s movements? Does he look like he has a purpose? If he does, that might lead us to think he may have tipped into instinct, and is no longer playing. We need to look at the position of the ears, the tail, and the softness or sharpness of the body as it moves — for both dogs. We also look at how they are when they are close together compared to when they are further apart. Does anything change when they get close and the larger dog tries to grab the smaller dog?

All these things tell us how each dog is feeling and whether this is

© Can Stock Photo / EEI_Tony When animals play we can see the range of nuances and subtleties in behavior that reflect individual emotional states, positive, negative, or conflicted

nice equal play, which just happens to include a breed instinct as part of the repertoire of movements, or if this is not healthy, equal play and we have a potential issue.

Sometimes we see play where one animal is not moving much, letting the other run around and return, only to be sent away again to run around. How can we tell if this is good play, or if there is a potential issue? There could be many reasons for this type of interaction; the less active animal may not be completely, comfortable, may have mobility issues, or is tired, or just not that interested. In the case of dogs, the herding instinct may be showing in the more active dog. Or is it just how these animals play together?

Subtle differences in body language and vocalization can identify which of the possible reasons is correct. Look at the subtleties of the less active dog’s body language. Is it receptive? What is the position of the ears, and tail? How is the body aligned in relation to the other dog? Then, we look at the dog that is doing all the running. Is he relaxed and open in his body language, or does he seem to have an intensity that may mean he has a purpose other than trying to get the standing dog to run with him? Do they pause and wait for each other? Or is it constant movement from one and constant pushing away from the other?

Finally, with all play, can it be interrupted? This does not mean the animals must be capable of stopping play straight away; it can mean they are able to listen and adjust as they continue. This gives you a good

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indication of how aware the brain is. If intensity in play has caused the emotional mind to take over, there is potentially an issue. If the intellectual mind can still hear what you are saying, this is far less likely to be the case because the mind is not in overarousal.

Overarousal

Overarousal can increase intensity, as if the animal is trying to achieve something. It looks a bit like there is a purpose. Play is not so free and easy. Hormones, instincts and neurological development can also affect how animals play. As an animal's arousal increases, we see less fluid movement; there is purpose, maybe stop and start, and sharper actions. Vocalizations tend to be more rough, high, and intense. The change in body language and vocalization may be obvious enough to draw your attention, or it may be that you just have a gut feeling something is not quite right, but you can’t quite see what. If we feel it is safe to do so, this is when we really need to look closely for those subtle signs: play may look like there is intent and that it is negative, when in fact it is still positive but just needs guidance. And sometimes, it looks positive, but actually the subtle signs tell you that it is negative, a potential issue, and that we should intervene safely, but promptly.

As we can see, there are many contradictions in the subtleties of body language and vocalization. Accurately reading and interpreting what an animal is actually feeling and what he is likely to do depends on putting all this communication together while taking into account the personality of the animal and the situation he is in at the time. n

When an animal is in a negative emotional state, soft body language looks contained and is not fluid and open. The positioning of the body is more about protecting oneself, but this may not be overt; it can be very subtle.

Resources

Gregory, K. (2021, July). Found in Translation. BARKS from the Guild (49) 46-49 Gregory, K. (2021, March). Understanding Animals. BARKS from the Guild (47) 50-51 Gregory, K. (2021, May). The Complete Picture. BARKS from the Guild (48) 48-51

Kathie Gregory is a qualified animal behavior consultant, presenter and author, specializing in advanced cognition and emotional intelligence. Passionate about raising standards and awareness in how we teach and work with animals, she has developed Free Will TeachingTM , a concept that provides the framework for animals to enjoy life without compromising their own free will. She has authored two books, A tale of two horses: a passion for free will teaching, and A Puppy Called Wolfie: a passion for free will teaching, and her work is currently divided between working with clients, mentoring, and writing.

R is for...

The A-Z of Training and Behavior Brought to you by

Rapid-Fire Clicking and Reinforcing: The act of repeatedly clicking and reinforcing in order to communicate to your pet that she is to hold the current position. This is often how a pet is taught to hold a sit, down, or stand position with the rate of reinforcement being gradually reduced as the reinforcement history is developed.

Ratio Strain: A sharp decrease in responding as a result of a reinforcement schedule being too quickly thinned out. Ex. A pet that is used to getting a click and a treat every time she performs a behavior is unable to perform five behaviors in a row without a treat.

Reinforcer Assessment: Evaluating what type of reinforcers and reinforcement an individual pet finds reinforcing. Usually some reinforcers are vastly preferred over others. This creates a hierarchy of reinforcers which is very valuable information to the trainer who can pair more highly valued reinforcers for more difficult behaviors. Reset Cookie: A process that makes use of giving a free cookie or reinforcement that is non-contingent of the goal behavior to avoid loss of motivation. If you lose a pets’ motivation you have nothing to train, thus the use of a reset cookie/treat, while undermining stimulus control, is valuable to the training process and likely falls within the realm of the art of training.

Resistance to Extinction: If a pet continues to perform the target behavior once reinforcement is taken away, is it called resistant to extinction. Behaviors reinforced variably are more resistant to extinction.

Respondent Extinction: Respondent extinction is the process of repeatedly presenting a conditioned stimulus without presenting an unconditioned stimulus, so the conditioned response gets weaker and weaker. The conditioned stimulus –unconditioned stimulus contingency is dissolved.

From: A Lexicon of Practical Terms for Pet Trainers & Behavior Consultants: The language you need to know! by DogNostics Career Center. Available from: dognosticseducation.com/p/store