I couldn't tell this to other people for they might think I am going crazy with my extreme love for my dogs. But we have observed this many times. While watching tv, our spitz Tisoy would come near and indicate that he wants something by tapping may leg with his paw. If I ignore, he would bark softly. And when I stand, Tisoy and Barbie the pekingese would run to the door ahead of me. That clearly means they are going to answer the call of nature. But sometimes, Tisoy would just sit in the terrace while Barbie would go out to the yard to do her thing.
It's not always like that. There are times that Barbie would call us and it would be Tisoy to use their open air toilet. We sometimes wonder if what we think is true that they talk to each other and doing a favor for each other. Maybe because sometimes I scold them when I am engrossed on the tv show. It's something like Barbie would tell Tisoy to ask permission so that if I get angry then it would be Tisoy and not her.
What do you guys make of it? Take note, it is happening frequently.
Dogs have subtle communication mechanisms that can be decoded through close observation. I remember when there were two young dogs in our compound. They were fraternal twins. I like playing with dogs but my brother is made of sterner stuff and soon snaps when they get the better of him. So I summoned one of the dogs for a play and tease session. I will never forget the ' be cautious' look on the face of the other dog which it communicated with a sort of rolling motion of the eyes much like a human being. Dogs are very intelligent creatures and they are able to keep tabs on your temperament and somehow consider themselves as servile inferior beings. When a dog dies, they have a way of silent communication where they withdraw and seem wan and defeated. Even playful puppies take the cue and keep to themselves. I have observed that dog barks are not identical. Some portray fear, appreciation, anger, confusion among other emotions. We should pay close attention to the body language of dogs also since it can be a manifestation that its feeling unwell which it can't communicate verbally.
I so totally agree with you about this, @corzhens ! Our dogs not only communicate with us, but with each other. Chipper, my senior dog is only 6 lbs, and is almost 15 years old now. (He is the one in my avatar) Tootsie, our other dog is only about 4, and she is 12+ and is part Blue Heeler, which is a very protective dog breed. She has designated herself as Chipper's "escort dog", and she always accompanies him when he goes outside to go to thebathroom, even when she doesn't need to go herself.
Since Chipper is elderly, his kidneys are not what the used to be and he has to go out ever couple of hours. she sits patiently and waits until Chipper has finished, then looks at me as if to say, "All done now, can we come back in ?"
Chipper also gets extra food beside the hard kibble, because his teeth are not as good anymore, and he can't chew it as well, even though I get the smallest kibble possible. Tootsie knows that the soft food is Chipper's, and she stands patiently and waits to see whether or not he s going to eat everything.
Once he finishes, then she gets to clean up the food bowl.
They have a great interaction with each other, and Tootsie has learned from Chipper more about communicating than she knew when we first adopted her.
hello friends, I am Kenneth.My first forum message.I came to read this forum very unexpectedly and after reading that it is really interesting.The story of Tisoy and barbie - very happy to see the communication between them.
