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Canine Communication

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Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior

Synonyms

Dog communication

Definition

Dogs may communicate with conspecifics, humans, and other domestic animals they live with. When they communicate, they use visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile signals. Domestication has greatly changed dogs’ physical appearance, and therefore, visual communication may not be equally important for dogs as for their wild relatives. Whereas some messages may be important for recognition and signaling in close proximity, others are broadcasted for long-distance communication.

Introduction

Between the carnivores, dogs and their ancestor, wolves, can be considered as the most social. Therefore, they develop an effective communication system with an abundant number of signals to maintain cohesion of the group, no matter if that is wolf pack, human family, or a group of feral dogs (e.g., Bradshaw and Nott 1995; Feddersen-Petersen 2007). For communication and recognition in close proximity, they can use body language, body odor, touch, and certain...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zagreb, Croatia

    Irena Petak

Authors
  1. Irena Petak
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Correspondence to Irena Petak .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland University , Rochester, MI, USA

    Jennifer Vonk

  2. Department of Psychology, Oakland University Department of Psychology, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Georgia College & State University, Mobile, Al, USA

    Stephanie Jett

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Petak, I. (2019). Canine Communication. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1695-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1695-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-47829-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-47829-6

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