VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Visual communication in wolves (Canis Lupus) and in their descendants our domestic dogs ( Canis Lupus Familiaris).

Visual communication is as important to wolves and dogs as the olfactory communication. Visual signals consist of simultaneous movement of most body parts from nose to tail. It is believed, that features of the face (ears, eyes, lips, teeth, nose, and forehead), the body (posture, hair), and the tail are important components of visual signals, while facial and body coloration often enhance a signal's value. Variation in each element express variation in underlying motivation along a continuum from aggressive/confident to submissive/anxious.

Aggressive or self-assertive individuals are characterized by a high body posture, enhanced by raised hackles and general piloerection along the back and the tail. The legs are held stiffly, and movements are slow and deliberate. The dominance signals reflect the wolf's or dog's readiness to attack, with other visual elements enhancing its size and fully displaying its teeth (this feature is more seen in wolves).

Submissive and fearful individuals carry their body low, sleek the fur, and lower the ears and tail. Postures indicating submission or fear represent preparations for defence or flight, with visual features reducing the animal's apparent size and hiding its teeth.

The tail is the most dynamic of the visual elements. It may increase an individual's apparent size, and may also give it a mechanical advantage in the event of a fight. In addition, elevating the tail exposes the anal region, wagging of the tail conveys friendliness, and submissive individuals may enhance this signal by moving the hindquarters as well; slow, stiff movements of the tail or tip indicate an aroused state that might lead to attack.

Expressive characteristics of visual features used during social interaction in wolves and dogs

Aggressive dominat individuals

Eyes......open wide, direct stare
Ears.......erect and forward
Lips........horizontal contraction
Mouth....opened (in wolves)
Teeth......canines bared (in wolves)
Tongue...retracted
Nose......shortened (skin folded)
Forehead...contracted (bulging over eyes)
Head.........held high
Neck........arched
Hair..........erect (bristled)
Body........erect/tall
Tail..........held high, quivering, curling over the back (in dogs)

Submissive fearful individuals

Eyes..........closed to slits, looking away
Ears...........flattened and turned down to side
Lips..........horizontal retraction
Mouth......closed
Teeth.......canines covered
Tongue....extended (lick intention)
Nose......lenghtened (skin smoothed)
Forehead...stretched (smoothed)
Head.........lowered
Neck........extended
Hair..........sleeked
Body........crouched / low
Tail..........wagging, tucked under body

Tail postures

a) Self - assertion during social interactions

b) assertive threat

c) intimidation (with lateral wagging)

d) normal position during conditions without social tension

e) not quite certain threat

f) normal position  especially while eating or watching others

 
g) depressed mood

h) between threat and defense

i) active submission (with lateral wagging)

(j) and (k) strong inhibition

Wolf pack use three distinct postural attitudes during social intereaction. High, neutral and low. Similar behaviour can be seen in dogs living in a group. The high and low postures are based on opposite expressions of the head, ears, tail, and legs, folowing the above description. Of their twenty-one behavioral measures, high and low postures are among the few that reveal the rank relationship among the packmates. Within a pack, being able to read another packmate's signals benefits both individuals, confirming a previously established relationship without the need for recurring conflict. In the case of our domestic dogs, we can benefit in the same way, by being able to read our dog's signals given away during outside socialization with strange dogs.

To be continued.....