Calming Signals
When a dog becomes worried about something a chemical reaction happens and along with that comes stress. There are different calming signals that dogs use, that we would be as well to understand and watch for:
Yawning
Often the first signal that a dog isn’t completely happy. The yawn might be silent or like a whine. He can often yawn when he isn’t necessarily comfortable with a dog, a person or a situation, It might happen when out meeting a new dog or being around a new dog in the home, even a person. A lick of the lips might accompany the yawn. Its over to you to find out what is bothering your dog so you can aim to help your dog out in this situation. Your dog is already giving off a calming signal himself to help the situation.
Licking
A lick is often used by dogs as a calming signal and other dogs understand it. Sometimes it might be nothing more than a little lick, but others can mean something is bothering the dog. You might notice it when approaching other dogs on walks. That would be your cue to walk around that dog rather than a direct pass. You would semi-circle around the dog. This signal will often be responded to by a signal from the other dog.
Turning away or glancing away.
Your dog might completely turn around with his back to the dog or person, he might turn his head to the side or glance away. I remember using this myself when the dog was growling right in my face. I looked away from the dog and sat still, not once looking back at him, to help him to calm and move away from me. If I wasn’t looking at him then I wasn’t a threat and I wasn’t challenging him. Its exactly what a dog will do, so dogs understand it. If you are angry about something you might see your dog look away from you.
Freeze
Sometimes a dog has no option but to stay completely still. You might think your dog is being really obedient, but it might actually be a calming signal in some situations. Maybe he is in a situation that he isn’t entirely comfortable with, other times he really is being a good dog.