
Dogs have a body language very varied that, sometimes, is not properly understood by their tutors, however, the key to a harmonious coexistence between people and dogs, depends largely on the correct interpretation of gestures and canine language.
In this article of ExpertAnimal we will explain what it means when a dog lifts the front leg , showing you up to 8 different situations in which you can observe it.Each one of them will be accompanied by other signals that will indicate more precisely what our dog tries to say.Keep reading!
The body language of dogs
As with humans, dogs carry out signs, vocalizations and postures of their own that express their desires and moods In addition to communicating with their relatives and other species, what is known as "calm signs." In this sense, many times people misunderstand the gestures and reactions of their pets, about all when compared to human standards, as happens, for example, when they attribute feelings of guilt to the dog or humanize it.
This not only creates a misrepresentation of what The dog is really trying to express, but it also prevents his human companions from understanding what they want, which in the long run causes problems at home and can lead to stressed and aggressive dogs by not seeing their basic needs covered.
If you don't understand many of the things that your dog does, it's very possible that you have not stopped to analyze their behavior or to understand the language with which it is directed to you.Among these gestures, one of the ones that generates more curiosity occurs when the dogs raise the front leg .know what this means? Then we detail all the possibilities!
1.Common conduct in certain races
Some breeds stand out for their surprising ability with the legs, as is the case with the boxer dog, to which many attribute their name precisely to the innate ability to use both front legs in various situations, much more noticeably than in other dog breeds.Another example is the English pointer, who owes his name to the posture he takes when he smells of his prey, raising the front leg.[1 ]

2.The hunting sequence
When a dog lifts the front leg during an excursion , the meaning is clear: your dog is carrying out the hunting sequence.It is very common that we observe it precisely in dogs hunting, such as in beagles, bracos and podencos, however, practically any dog can carry it out.
The hunting sequence has several phases: tracking, stalking, chasing, capturing and killing, not However, it is when the dog smells like its prey when it lifts its paw.Some signals that accompany this very characteristic posture are the stretched tail and the snout high.You can also carry it out when seeks a trail in the environment.

3.Curiosity by some smell
Also, it is not necessary to be in full nature for our dog to lift the front leg, just find a special smell or trail in the city to carry out this instinctive behavior.Maybe you are looking for a piece of pizza or try to follow the urination of a dog in heat.In this specific case, the dog can also lick the other dog's urine to get more information about him or her.

3.Invitation to the game
Sometimes, we can see how our dog lifts its paw and, just after, does the posture of inviting the game , extending the two front legs, together with the head down and the middle tail raised.
If your dog adopts this position, you should know that it is the so-called "reverence of the game" and is inviting you to you have fun together.You can also dedicate it to other dogs.
Raising the front leg as a synonym for play can also be accompanied by a slight head tilt, with which the dog wants to communicate that he is curious about you.It is even possible that is near your favorite toy or that you hold it in your hand, so the dog will put a paw on you to tell you to give it to him, because he wants to play with it.

5.Fear, submission or discomfort
Sometimes when two dogs interact and one of them is especially fearful or submissive , the most scary can lie down and lift his paw like a Calm signal to end the game or to indicate that he does not feel at ease.It usually happens when the other dog is especially active, abrupt and even aggressive.

6.Castigo
Another situation that causes the dog to lie down and lift its paw is when has been punished .It is important to note that it is not a submission position, as in the case of relationship between dogs, since dominance in dogs is intraspecific, that is, it occurs only with members of the same species.
In these cases, in addition to teaching the belly and lifting one or both legs, the dog will show the ears back, the tail low and can even remain immobile.In this case the dog is told that is afraid and wants us to stop giving him a shot .

7.Affection request for learning
When the dog lifts the front leg to place it on your hand or knee while looking at you, it means he wants you to pay attention or pet him.This gesture with the connotation of wanting Caresses can also be accompanied by other signs, such as rubbing the nose of the snout against you and even small soft bites in your hand.There are also dogs that, once they have been petted, repeat the gesture of placing the paw on the hand of his human companion to indicate that he wants to continue the pampering.
Generally is due to learning , because the dog learns that by carrying out this behavior humans They also pay attention, we tend to reinforce this gesture with caresses and affection, so the dog continues to express it.

8.Dog training and skills
If you have taught your dog to give the paw, it is likely that he will carry out this order on a regular basis when practicing obedience exercises and dog skills or when, simply, seek a reward for this reason.It is important that we reinforce the dog only when we have requested the order, not when he wants to, since only in this way will we strengthen dog obedience well.

If you want to read more articles similar to What does it mean when a dog lifts the front leg ? , we recommend that you enter our Basic Education section.
References
Pointer Ingles-Race card-Purina Latam, Available at: https://www.purina-latam.com/razas/pointer_ingles.html
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