Small body language cues dogs use to defuse tension in themselves or others, such as lip licking, yawning, or turning the head away.
Calming signals are small body language cues dogs use to defuse tension, either in themselves or in another dog or person nearby. The term was popularised by Norwegian trainer Turid Rugaas, though the behaviours themselves have always been part of normal dog communication.
Examples include a lip lick, a yawn, turning the head away, moving slowly, or sniffing the ground, often shown when a dog feels mildly uncomfortable or is trying to signal to another dog that they mean no harm.
Recognising calming signals gives an early warning that a dog is uncomfortable, well before more obvious signs of stress appear. A dog who yawns repeatedly during a nail trim, or licks their lips when a stranger leans over them, is communicating discomfort, even if they're not growling or pulling away.
Spotting these signals early allows a handler to change the situation, such as giving the dog more space or slowing down an interaction, before the dog feels the need to escalate to a stronger warning.
It's easy to miss calming signals or misread them as unrelated behaviour, such as assuming a yawn just means the dog is tired. Paying attention to context, what's happening around the dog when the signal appears, helps tell the difference.
No, dogs show calming signals towards people too, particularly during interactions that feel uncomfortable, such as being hugged, reached over, or approached by a stranger.
Give the dog some space or pause whatever is happening. It's a sign the dog is finding the situation a little much, and responding early tends to prevent things escalating.
Not necessarily. Context matters. A dog yawning after waking up from a nap is different from a dog yawning repeatedly while being examined by a vet.
Physical and behavioural signs that a dog is finding a situation difficult to cope with, ranging from subtle tension to clear distress.
An action that seems out of context for the situation, often appearing when a dog is experiencing internal conflict or mild stress.
The point at which a dog moves from being able to think and respond calmly, into a reactive or overwhelmed state.
