Here’s a question for you, related to my talk (“Lost in Translation”) at the Vashon Art Center on Vashon Island this coming Saturday. It’s all part of the Vashon Island Championship Sheepdog Trial that Jim and I will be attending on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
What does this dog’s face tell us, if anything, about 1) His internal state and 2) His next behavior? A point I’ll make in more depth at the talk is that those are two very different things, although of course they are related.
I’ll read your answers with great interest and respond as much as I can in between speechifying, packing, etc etc. Full disclosure, I had planned to post on a different topic today, but the article needs several more hours of work and I need to spend more time on my talk on Vashon Island. I take it very seriously when people expend their time and money to listen to me, and I want to focus as much attention on my talk as I can between packing and the rest of life.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: I admittedly made the next few days busier by going to a sheepdog trial in Woodstock, Illinois where Maggie and I had some of our worst runs, ever. But we also had some victories, so I’m hanging on to that. First off, the trial was in a very small field bordered by a busy road (which we had all been warned about, so it wasn’t a surprise). Small fields can make it easier, since the sheep and dog are always much closer to the handler, but can also make it trickier, because there is so much pressure between where the sheep are held to be set out for each run (the set out pens), and where they get to go after a run (the exhaust pens). Sheep are drawn to these pens like iron fillings to a magnet, because there’s safety in numbers. If the sheep are fast movers rather than slow and “heavy” ones, and a large group of sheep are close by because of a small field, it puts tremendous pressure on the dog to manage them. These sheep, a wonderful bunch of healthy, responsive Barbados crosses, were lovely to work IF your dog stayed far back off of them and used finesse rather than pressure to move them. If not, they ran like deer and your dog didn’t have a chance in hell to stop them.
On a big field these would be Maggie’s favorite kind of sheep, but on Saturday she first ran to the sheep in the set out pen, and on Sunday to the exhaust pen instead of the three sheep standing at the back of the field. On Saturday I’m guessing that she saw the sheep in the set out pen looking right at her on her outrun and honestly thought she needed to deal with them too. I finally got her redirected onto the right sheep but by then her brain was a bit fried, and she boggled the drive so badly I just left the post and retired. She was truly over her head at that point and there was no point at continuing when her brain was clearly frazzled.
On Sunday I sent her in the other direction so she wouldn’t be running directly at the sheep in the set out pens, but surprise surprise, she ran directly to the sheep to our right in the exhaust pens. Hmmmmm. The pens were completely covered, and she knew that the sheep were there, but she couldn’t see them and she’s never made that mistake in the past. I was sure she’d seen the sheep being set out for her on the other side of the field. I’m of course just speculating (speaking of guessing what’s going on in a dog’s mind, the theme for today), but my best guess is that she choose to go to the “easy” sheep, being intimidated by the difficulty of dealing with sheep in such challenging circumstances.
Our victory was that after finally leaving the pen and doing a good outrun on the right sheep, she did a fantastic drive, one of her best ones ever. She only got 22/30 points even though her lines were about perfect, because the judge faulted her for letting the sheep stop several times rather than moving at a continuous pace. That’s on me, cuz I lay her down rather than doing what I should have (asking her to slow down, not lie down). But I’m forgiving myself for that cuz, again, the sheep were like deer and one wrong move and you’d lose them.
One worry: Maggie seemed to be running at 2/3 her normal speed, which has been true for the last few weeks. Physical or mental? As I write, Jim, bless him, is taking her to the vets for a blood draw and a 4Dx test for tick-borne diseases. Cross your paws, I’m feeling a bit neurotic about her health, having just about lost it last Friday when I had to delete all references to Willie when updating the farm sitter instructions. Ah life.
So, some photos, and then, back to my speech!
Here’s an example of the reactive the sheep, which I think are the best kind because they are such a great test of a dog and handler. (Sorry, don’t know the name of the dog):
The trial was held at the Northern Illinois Sheep and Fiber Festival, as a fund raiser for the Land of Lincoln Border Collie Association. I had a lovely time with my friend Donna, a dedicated spinner and knitter, looking at some of the wool:
We got home Sunday evening to a truly beautiful garden (which is also yelling at me for attention). But it’s important to just enjoy it for awhile too, right? Here’s a Shooting Star amongst the Columbine:
Ghost Kitty (aka Polly) posing with the posies:
Okay, back to my talk! (But what information DO you think you can reliably get from that dog’s face at the beginning of the post? I’m so curious.)
Bob says
Hi Patricia! I’ve just found your books and absolutely love everyone I’ve read (listened to) so far! I’ve learned so much from them… Thank you for that!
What I see in this dog is wide eyes, pinned back ears, mouth closed, tension in the face.. there is something happening that we can’t see that has really got this dogs attention. This looks a lot like stress / fear. I’d take a guess that there was loud sudden noise that startled him….. What a perfect opportunity to see how much I’ve
Diane says
Without credentials, I’ll try. The ears are slightly back, one more than the other, but not all the way. Even though the mouth is closed, the eyes seem unfocused. I don’t see a lot of stress. His head position is not directly forward and is up. I can’t tell for sure, but no piloerection. He may have alerted to a sound. I don’t know if alertness counts as an internal state. If this is the case, his next move would depend on the ability to focus in on what alerted him in the first place. If so, he’ll move in that direction and engage his nose. …the hunt is on! (If I am far off the mark, at least I gained confidence to try after reading how you and Maggie did at the trial…although 22/30 points doesn’t sound bad to me.) Safe trip!
LisaW says
I saw that picture and gasped. What a gorgeous face and light and composure (the photographer’s and the dog’s). My best assessment is the dog is anticipating a next action or movement and is unsure how he/she feels about the situation but feels okay about waiting to see what happens. One ear back a little further than the other, alert, and listening, somewhat relaxed mouth, and eyes very focused but soft. I’d say alert, anticipatory, and maybe a little uneasy.
One thing to note, it’s hard not to read into the facial markings. This dog’s coloring makes the eyes look wistful or melancholy — much like Tootsie’s eyebrows make her look a little like a curmudgeon 😉
Paws crossed for an all clear for Maggie. One of our dogs has a mild positive for Lyme and one for anaplasmosis but no real discernible signs of either disease. Just means they have been exposed at some point. We also got a false negative last year. Phoebe had tested positive for Lyme for a few years, and then last year, it was negative. New labs done and sent back, and yup, positive. Just FYI.
Have a wonderful trip to the Pacific NW.
Karen says
I think the dog in the photo looks uncomfortable with the person taking the photo. His ears are tilted back and his eyes are showing concern/worry but not abject fear. It might be that the camera makes him uncomfortable, or the person holding the camera is making him uncomfortable. I would expect that his next move would be to lick his nose or look away. He doesn’t look like he is going to bite.
Chris says
His face seems sad and passive to me. The face my dog makes when I have put his jammies on him and he does not want to be in that state and longing for me to take them off.
He is looking at something or someone and wants to be somewhere else. He will seek out attention and comfort next.
Liz Westlake says
To me, he reads as scared/worried that could turn aggressive if the thing that is scaring/worrying him gets “worse”
Bruce says
Internal state: Dog looks worried but not scared, as if chastised by someone the dog knows well. Leaning back, ears back, eyebrows raised, but no whale eye.
Next action: Appeasement? Lip lick? Uncertain tail wag?
Beth E. says
The German Shepherd looks worried or anxious about something and is looking to its owner for some kind of direction as to what to do. With the ears back and the eyes looking closer together in tension, it looks to me like it’s not sure what is happening.
Margaret says
The word I’d use is conflicted.The dog looks apprehensive , but not terrified. Eyes are still soft. I’m guessing the dog was in a situation that frightened him/her, but had enough confidence in the handler not to bolt. I’m getting that because one ear is back and the other is forward listening, and because the mouth is closed, and because the dog seems to be leaning backward away from something.
I think the dog still has his mind, and could respond to cues. If no behavioral cues came from the handler, I think the dog would withdraw, maybe just behind the handler, maybe clear out of the situation.
Kirsten says
About the dog in the picture:
I think, he feels very uncomfortable. When I look at the eyes (rounded like marbles) I would say this dog is terrified. His next move will probably be to try to escape the situation. If that is not possible he will become even more desperate. Probably he will use his teeth in some way. With how much force depends on his personality.
Minnesota Mary says
The jowls of the dog would indicate an older animal. He or she doesn’t seem fearful, but is focused on something above and beyond or behind the photographer. With the position of his/her ears, that “something” might be making some noise. A drone perhaps, or a loudspeaker. The reflection in the dog’s eyes and position of the pupils would indicate the thing the dog is focused on might be hovering in the air, fairly near the dog. Next action would likely depend on the item being observed by the dog. My guess is turning away with disinterest.
lak says
The dog looks okay to me. Looks like he is looking at someone and awaiting a direction or command of some sort. He appears calm and his eyes seem sad to me.
Trisha says
I’m loving the comments so far! I’ll add my two cents later, probably Wednesday morning after more comments come in. An interesting variety of interpretations so far, hey?
lin says
With the ears back but not flat and the mouth closed but not really tight, the dog looks concerned, a little worried, but not [yet] fearful. As LisaW said, the facial markings make it hard for me to tell if the eyes are worried, or just look that way. I feel like the dog is lying down (maybe it’s just the cropping of the photo). If whatever concerns the dog comes closer, s/he will get up and move away. If I’m wrong and the dog is standing, s/he does seem to be leaning back.
Anticipating everyone’s interpretations!
Love the Polly pix. A little ghost amidst the green and pink!
Laurie says
This dog appears very uncertain and anxious about what he may be asked to do next. My dog would then back away to the end of the leash and perhaps sit down, still looking at me, wondering what’s next.
Charlotte Kasner says
I see possible worry and tension and also perhaps anticipation, but without knowing the context it is difficult to judge. The rear-facing ear is listening for something. Although the mouth is closed, it isn’t particularly tense.
This could be a natural worrier trying to focus on a confusing cue with a distraction in the environment that is causing the ear to move.
This could be a dog trying to respond to a poisoned cue and showing conflict.
This could also be a dog reacting to the proximity of the photographer and/or camera lens whilst keeping an ear cocked towards a safe base, perhaps the handler.
This could also have caught the dog at exactly the point that he is about to react to a cue so we could be looking at his “thinking” face.
Context and knowledge of the dog is all!
Teddy says
This is so interesting.
Initially, I was very sure that the dog was on the verge of being overwhelmed, either by confusion about what was asked, or by not feeling confident to do what was asked, and that the next move would be a disengagement of the eyes – ducking head slightly, looking away – and “turning off” his/her ears. (I don’t think the dog’s next move would be aggressive – yet.)
But the comments about the facial markings made me slow down and look more slowly, and at that point I could imagine a “next move” where the dog “got it” (whatever it was) and his/her ears shoot forward. That shift inside me, of seeing a different outcome, made me realize how my baseline is so often fear/distrust that the dog and I aren’t really on the same “team.” I don’t mean that I am antagonistic towards my dogs, just that I think I have a baseline of not trusting that they are adults of their own species, trying THEIR best, too. And if I believed more consistently in a better outcome, more outcomes WOULD be better!
Betsy McCoy says
I see nervous, submissive bordering on fear. The ears are back some, the eyes appear to have a worried expression and the mouth is clamped shut.
Definately not a “Oh happy day!” or a “Hate your guts!” face. More of a “Oh, crap, what is happening?!” or “Oh, crap! What have I done!?” face.
PS Thanks for sharing your wisdom and knowledge. Count me in as a huge fan!
Franny says
What?! We’re out of peanut butter cookies?!
;]
Mary Beth Stevens says
My take on the what is going on with that handsome dog?
“What’s happening? What’s happening? Someone please tell me what’s happening! I need to know what’s happening here, or I’ll become more anxious. I don’t like feeling anxious! What’s happening? What’s happening? I want to be a good boy/girl, but I need to know what’s happening.”
Kathy says
I have seen this look when a “big eyed” camera is pointed at a dog. A bit worried and uncomfortable, “Please don’t point that thing at me!” but not panic. It’s as if he’s looking at the barrel of a gun, but he doesn’t really think it will go off……hopefully.
Barbara says
I think this dog looks relaxed but focused. His ears are cocked back which makes me think he heard something behind him but that doesn’t distract him. Mouth is relaxed. I agree he looks like he might be lying down and has been told to stay. He looks like he’s waiting for something (pupils aren’t dilated in fear) but remains calm and patient. I don’t know what he will do next. Maybe waiting for a command from his handler?
Sue says
His ears are directed two ways – concern
Mouth closed , concern, yet his lips are fairly soft.
His eyes look worried
He seems as though his head is pulled back, not reaching forward.
My guess is he could use some calming signals from who or what he is attentive to.
Adrienne K says
What a beautiful dog. I think he looks concerned about what he perceives but unsure of what is going on and what, if any, action he should take.
Sally says
Wait…You want me to do WHAT?!?!?!
Kathy says
1) Anxious: ears back and a bit down, but not yet flat against the head. Commissure tight and drawn, brow furrowed, eyes worried.
2)I’d predict a tail tucked, lips licked, and gaze averted, maybe a slink away. Or if pushed, barking and a whale eye. The next move depends on the stimulus, the situation, the handler, and the personality of the dog.
Byron West says
Unsure and seeking direction.
Joan says
He is contemplating his next action in regard to what has his attention is my guess
Margo Harris says
To me, he looks scared, and maybe about to bolt!
Sheila says
Hmm, ears back, but not pinned, 1 back farther than the other. Mouth closed. Looking at something to side and behind the camera. Looks unsure of something (I’m trying to ignore the eyes because I think the dark “eyebrows” make it look like his brow is furrowed, but it’s not). Next action probably a lip lick. Something’s going on that’s making him uncomfortable.
Chloe says
A development is happening: unsure and a bit uncomfortable
Marjorie Sovec says
Dog appears to be uncertain about the current situation but is staying alert until something else happens–cue from owner, action from whatever dog is watching. S/he has a relaxed mouth & soft eyes so I don’t see any fear. Perhaps a bit concerned about something. Next action by dog will depend on what has hi/her in the current state.
Anne Macaulay says
He has one ear forward and one back. His brow looks tense or worried. He seems to be a bit anxious, confused and worried. If things got scarier he might flee. If his handler reassured him, he might shake it off and be fine.
Mason says
Because I don’t know the dog, and because it’s just an out of context head shot, I can’t guess much about the dog’s internal state. I can report my own feelings in response to the image, protectiveness and warmth.
That said, I think someone who knows the dog well and is present in the circumstances could make an informed speculation about his/her internal state and a pretty good prediction about subsequent behaviour. Knowledge is relational 🙂
rita penner says
Those are not really listening ears, except passively. He’s not really focused on anything in front of him either. He looks relaxed to me. He’s lying down right now and he may put his head down on his front feet next. That’s what I see.
Timaran says
My wholly unqualified interpretation: I agree that the dog looks anxious and conflicted. His eyes are wide and round, his ears are somewhat back and his posture suggests tension, but not necessarily aggression. I’m thinking that his next action would be to back up, putting some distance between himself and whatever is spooking him.
Joe says
I read that dog’s face as sort of uncomfortable. They’re not what I’d call distressed, but they’d like to be somewhere else. It’s like a resigned, I’m-having-my-nails-trimmed expression. I’d anticipate yawning and lip licks.
Jennifer says
He/She looks confused. Maybe looking for further direction.
Kristine says
Just looking at this single frame, I see a dog who heard something while the picture was being taken. Slight concern as he doesn’t yet know what it is. His next move would be to turn in the direction of the sound.
Linda says
The dog looks a little scared to me, but not terrified. Nervous. I think the dog would back away a bit, yawn, or look away as the next step.
Kira says
To me this looks like a mature dog who is uncomfortable around puppies and, off camera, there is a puppy seeking his attention. He is pondering how to escape the situation without harming the puppy. His next move could be taking some steps back (or standing up, and stepping back), or a sideways leap in either direction.
Trish says
I see anxiety, not a lot, but preparing to escalate, if necessary. She appears to be concerned, but not aggressive.
Ruth LaRocque, CBCC-KA says
1) ears pinned back, mouth closed, weight appears to be shifted back, eyes focused on something straight ahead would all lead me to use the labels “worried/nervous/concerned/uncomfortable” as the internal state
2)next behavior? Depends on what happens next in the environment!
Debra Damman says
Tight mouth, both ears back, one ear back a little further, head upright, eyes big. He is apprehensive. If he sees the situation as a threat or pressed, he may take action.
Leslie Pearlman says
Perhaps this is close to the situation I’m in with my 10 year old German Shepherd. He looks like he is in pain and unsure of what his next step is. However his head seems to be higher which may indicate hyper vigilance to his setting and not pain.
Patricia Jay says
He/she is a little concerned, not sure what’s going on, no whites of the eyes so not extreme tension but watching carefully, hopefully her owner is paying attention and noticed the low key alert!
Tom says
Ears back, mouth closed, nostrils flared the dog is startled and ready to run from the event that startled him
Terrie says
Man, I wish that was a full body image. Hard to see where the dog’s head is relative to its body, but the little I can see makes it look like not only are the dog’s ear back a bit, but the head is also pulled back slightly, which suggest the dog is faced with something they dislike. In my own dog, further pressure, such as eg. the dreaded broom coming closer, would result in the dog moving away.
Karen says
He looks concerned. He is listening to something behind him, but also paying attention to what is in front of him. He looks a bit undecided if he should make a move.
Myra says
I think he/she looks concerned, like trying to figure out, unsure.
tracy says
We had GSD that looked like this when I was growing up and she was like my nanny. When she game me this look, I took it as WTH have you gotten into now.
Cristina says
I think he looks somewhat panicked, moving away from the stressor — probably an object or person approching his head. If this were our dog, I’d guess his next action would be a warning snap in the air, because he has his head a bit too far back to assume he’d be able to back off.
Barb Stanek says
I’m not reading any other responses until I leave mine. I think that the dog is ambivalent (sp?) and possibly apprehensive. He is not relaxed. There is tension in his mouth and jaw and in his forehead. His gaze is intent. He is interested in whatever he is seeing. Because of the tension in him, I’m guessing his interest is not because what he’s watching is something pleasing to him.
I would like to know if he’s sitting, standing, or lying down. To me he looks like the next move is away from what he’s watching. But if he’s watching a car arrive, maybe he’s lying down and hoping that the person coming out of the car is his favorite human. If the person coming out of the car is not someone he knows and likes, he looks like he is ready to run and/or bark and hold his ground.
Without seeing more, or knowing the dog, or seeing the surroundings or . . ., that’s as much as I am willing to surmise.
Lindsey says
I’m more concerned that the collar looks funny on his neck. Too tight maybe? Maybe he’s saying, can you get this off me now, I don’t like it.
Andrea Mauer says
I agree with Chris, he looks sad and passive. Disappointed or at least concerned about some situation.
Fran Menley says
This dog is weighing his options so at least he feels there are options. He is still lying down so I doubt he is hemmed into a tight place or feeling as if he is an immediate real danger. I would venture to say he is ready to make a move away if he feels any more pressure from whatever or whoever is concerning to him. Not sure what he is looking at, it could be that he doesn’t like his picture taken! SO many dogs think cameras are weird and a little spooky!
The black eyebrow points can exaggerate the look of concern on a dog’s face. Eyes are rounded, they appear to be pretty soft in this photo, not a hard stare and not avoiding at this point, ears show “watchfulness” not a strong fear and his mouth seems a little tight, but not overly so. I would simply give him time and space to assess his situation better and put no more pressure on this dog unless I knew him well. Things can change in a flash!
What a beauty!!
Carol says
Ears are back but, not pinned, mouth is closed, but not clamped. He looks concerned, but it may be because he is not sure if he is going to get a sausage. I don’t see huge inner turmoil, or great fear response. He does look like he would like to move, but perhaps his handler has asked him to stay.
DENICE RACKLEY says
He looks worried. I would say with his eyebrows up, mouth closed, ears back shows tension.
He is listening in different direction that he may be listening to a sound that has him concerned or someone is speaking attempting to calm him or both. I believe he is contemplating his next action. Seeing his whole body would clue you in more. Looks like his head is up but can’t see how he is holding his tail. Concern can lead to bolting or aggression depending on the dog and situation. He seems like he is willing for someone to take the ‘lead’ so to speak and let him know that they have things under control and he can relax.
Sandy says
Hail Maggie for a lesson to us all. It’s ok to go with the “easy” while you build confidence for greater challenges.
My heart is with you regarding the new sitter notes. I had to do that not too long ago. Do I just cross through them or rewrite them minus a beloved dog? Sad either way.
Ravana says
That’s how my boy looks right before he panics and bolts over something stupid such as someone holding a pair of socks.
Barbara Martin says
I am owned by three German Shepherd Dogs so the facial markings are part of normal for me. If this were my dog I am approaching her carrying the “bath” collar (that I snap to the tether in the tub.) This look is a split second before she looks for an escape route. “No, Mom. Please. It’s not my turn!”
She’s leaning back, her ears are back but not pinned, and that round eyed look says she is not frightened but not happy about what she sees either.
Vicki in Michigan says
I see “not happy.” That dog is concerned about something going on in his vicinity, and will be happier if people he doesn’t know back away from him. Or quit making so much noise. Or whatever is making him feel off kilter.
Beth says
Maddie used to give a similar expression but with a bit less tension. I called these her “worried ears.” Maddie was one of those dogs who would literally die before she’d hurt someone but not all dogs are that way and worry can go in bad directions. Plus, why worry our dogs? So I’d let this dog have an escape route, or clarify my request to something I knew the dog was comfortable complying with, depending.
I’d say this dog’s next action is to exit the situation, if that is possible.
Kathy says
I think his owner has just asked if he is ready for a bath. He is understanding the word bath, remembering the unpleasantness, but does not want to displease his beloved owner. He is worried.
Beth says
I should add that Maddie’s worried ears were a bit more parallel to the ground rather than drawn back, with the insides of her ears rotated down. She was a submissive girl and would get concerned if she did not understand what was expected of him.
Jack has similar giant Corgi ears but is a confident leader dog and has never made this face. He gets frustrated, not worried, when he does not know what is expected of him. His opinion is something must be wrong with me for not explaining clearly.
Jenny Haskins says
Concern. Worried about what might happen next.
JOAN L LINDBERG says
I tend to anthropomorphize so I see a dog looking at his/her owner with great concern about something. Maybe the owner is having a heart attack? Or is simply very upset or angry and the dog feels it. As for the dog’s next action, I’d say either moving toward the person to help (most likely) or lying down showing it’s belly or peeing in fear for whatever comes next. I know that is not typical behavior for a GS dog, but they are very aware of human frailties…emotional, physical or otherwise..
Jann Becker says
I agree that he’s discontent, and I think he’s looking some distance away or, as someone suggested, at a big eye-like camera. Another possibility is that as a senior, his vision isn’t what it used to be.
Anyhow, something’s got his attention and he’s not sure he likes it. My guess is that his next action is going to be a retreat–if he were going to attack his face would be more tense.
Valeri says
Having had 5 Shepherds, this look reminds me of my only boy. It appears to me that he is watching something he is not sure about and is also keeping track of noises behind him. He is a bit fearful and trying to decide whether he should bark at something or just keep an eye on everything.
Donna says
Worried and sad. Could also be totally discusted at another dogs behavior but from far away. The look seems distant.
PJ Tonkin says
I think that this beautiful canine looks watchful with a tinge of worry, and I agree with all of the signs from the observers. It makes me think of myself when I see a stranger walking up the sidewalk to our house: good, bad, ignore, just waiting another couple of seconds to decide.
Linda Freeman says
This looks for all the world like, “mom, I’m not sure I like what’s going on here and I think i want to leave”. Next behaviour? Hard to say – temperament will decide.
Katie says
Such a beautiful dog with beautiful expressive eyes. He looks concerned and it’s difficult to know what it is that’s got his attention. The eyes are focussed. He looks concerned and wise. Until we know what’s up, can’t tell what his next move will be.
Frank says
Impossible to say what the dog is communicating, from a still photo. A photo only shows x hundredths of a second, it can be as little as a 10 thousand of a second depending on the camera, there is not enough information about the dog or the enviornment.
Jeanne says
He looks alert to something, and focused. I’d like to see the rest of his body for other clues.
So looking forward to seeing you on Vashon! You are my entire reason for going, although my curiosity is peaked about herding, too. Thank you for making the journey “out west”, and gracing our lovely little corner of the world. And thanks to Jim, for keeping the home-and-farm fires burning in your absence. We are all grateful (and a little giddy) to have you, Tricia.
Mary M. says
I read the dog as something just happened that the dog was unfamiliar with and not particularly fond of. Dog was feeling somewhat nervous and apprehensive although not extremely so and was waiting for a cue or direction from its owner or handler which I believed to be very nearby.
Tanya says
It reminds me of my dog’s facial expression when she is doing something slightly naughty or not at all and I casually say ‘Uma, what are you doing???’ She starts looking a bit guilty and surprised with a face like the dog’s in the photo. She normally comes to me straight away the tail wagging and all apologetic and gentle.
Nicola says
Anxious to me (but such a beautiful and magnificent dog). Always good to try to read the whole dog wherever possible as their whole bodies are constantly in conversation with us don’t you think?
Jana says
I think he looks worried, not fearful, but concerned. the next move depends on what he’s worried about. If it’s his owner that he respects, I’d expect him to come forward with head lowered and tail slightly wagging, curving his body . . . . still concerned but obedient. Anything else that he’s unsure about, I expect him to turn tail and leave.
JenN says
I find this so hard to interpret without the context of tail position, posture, etc, and I have a german shepherd.
In isolation, I’m not seeing overt aggression or fear. I don’t think his ears are pinned: I think those ears might be listening behind him while looking forward, so his internal state seems wary/ aware of his surroundings.
If he was lying down with something in his paws, to me that face and ears would say “I’d rather keep this thanks, please don’t take it off me”. His next behavious might be to go back to chewing it.
If he was standing, I’d think he was taking in all his surroundings and his next reaction might be to dash off.
This is really hard!
Kandy says
Sad, very sad.
Chris W says
I agree with Tanya. It is the same face I get from my dog that very first instant she perceives she might have done something wrong. I don’t see fear, as much as I see the dog thinking how can I appease my mom.
Julie Gill says
I think he looks worried, watchfull, scared.
I think his next action, if someone approaches him, will be to bark aggressively, or, growl and lift his lip, or, to suddenly snap at an outreached hand.
Kate says
He looks confused and uncertain to me, like he’s been given a command he’s not quite sure how to fulfill. I might expect his next actions to possibly present a variety of behaviors to see if any of them are what you want. Maybe some frustrated barking or chuffing to boot?
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Trisha says
Fasntastic set of comments! I’m about to post another photo and my interpretation in another blog post.
Rebecca Rice says
I haven’t read the other replies, so as to not taint my response. But this is one where I think it really emphasizes the importance of context. What was the dog doing before that picture was taken? What’s the rest of the body look like? I can’t tell from the picture whether the dog is standing or lying down, which would influence my “what is he going to do next” response.
Having said that… I think he is attentive, looking for more information on something, but not overly concerned. Relatively calm. I get the feeling that something may have just changed in the environment and he is checking in with the person at the end of the leash on whether or not the handler has noticed and wants him to do something about it.
But that may all just be me projecting my feelings about the request onto the dog! Fascinating!
Noelle says
Oh lordy, the mask markings make him look “worried”. He’s not. He’s in a down-stay and watching his master. He’s paying attention for any cues but knows the rules for this tasks and accepts them……one ear forward and one ear back. Not only that, but he is very well cared for evidenced by his middle age, musculature and immaculate healthy coat. His collar has embroidered flowers.
soyoung says
lol this is the face my paco makes right after i tell him that “the kitchen is closed!” he sure loves his food…
Judi McLachlan says
He looks concerned – but not fearful. My old border collie used to get this sort of expression every time a camera was pointed at him up close…
Shawn says
He looks somewhat confused, and is not so sure what to do next. My rough guess for his next movement: probably running forward/chasing someone in the scene who is about to leave/running to someone approaching.
Jenny Haskins says
To Judi McLachlan
I have one dog who looks so very very horrified in every photo we manage to take of her. “Oh no! No! No! No! I’d going to be shot!!!” (Of course she IS very very anxious 🙁 It would be SO much easier if dogs could understand English 🙂
Which is why I am un-convinced when I see people declaring that dogs don’t like being ‘hugged’ because they always look so anxious in those set-up photos.