Dr. Karolina Westlund

And we're often better off reading their body language than we are reading their facial expression. Even though I think that studies also show that the face is where we look first.

Most probably does. That play bow that you're describing is what's referred to as a meta signal for play. So it's typically shown in a play context, and I haven't seen it described. But then again, I'm not a dog owner, but I haven't seen it described in the context of let's go for a walk.

Most probably does. That play bow that you're describing is what's referred to as a meta signal for play. So it's typically shown in a play context, and I haven't seen it described. But then again, I'm not a dog owner, but I haven't seen it described in the context of let's go for a walk.

Most probably does. That play bow that you're describing is what's referred to as a meta signal for play. So it's typically shown in a play context, and I haven't seen it described. But then again, I'm not a dog owner, but I haven't seen it described in the context of let's go for a walk.

But certainly in the play context, as far as I know, dogs play a bit differently with humans than they do with other dogs, but they do enjoy playing with humans. And sometimes I think we humans have a hard time knowing whether what we're seeing is play or aggression, because there will be elements from the aggressive repertoire within a play bow.

But certainly in the play context, as far as I know, dogs play a bit differently with humans than they do with other dogs, but they do enjoy playing with humans. And sometimes I think we humans have a hard time knowing whether what we're seeing is play or aggression, because there will be elements from the aggressive repertoire within a play bow.

But certainly in the play context, as far as I know, dogs play a bit differently with humans than they do with other dogs, but they do enjoy playing with humans. And sometimes I think we humans have a hard time knowing whether what we're seeing is play or aggression, because there will be elements from the aggressive repertoire within a play bow.

But typically what we can do then is look for what's referred to as MARS, M-A-R-S. So M being the meta signals. So those play bows or in other species, it will be other behaviors that are sort of indicating that I want to play. I know chimpanzees have like 30 or 50 different meta signals for play. And MAA is for activity shift. So we'll see different behaviors.

But typically what we can do then is look for what's referred to as MARS, M-A-R-S. So M being the meta signals. So those play bows or in other species, it will be other behaviors that are sort of indicating that I want to play. I know chimpanzees have like 30 or 50 different meta signals for play. And MAA is for activity shift. So we'll see different behaviors.

But typically what we can do then is look for what's referred to as MARS, M-A-R-S. So M being the meta signals. So those play bows or in other species, it will be other behaviors that are sort of indicating that I want to play. I know chimpanzees have like 30 or 50 different meta signals for play. And MAA is for activity shift. So we'll see different behaviors.

They might be chasing, they might be pouncing, they might be wrestling, biting each other. But you'll see these activity shifts and it's not in the same order as it would be if they were truly fighting. Right. M-A-R-R is for role reversals.

They might be chasing, they might be pouncing, they might be wrestling, biting each other. But you'll see these activity shifts and it's not in the same order as it would be if they were truly fighting. Right. M-A-R-R is for role reversals.

They might be chasing, they might be pouncing, they might be wrestling, biting each other. But you'll see these activity shifts and it's not in the same order as it would be if they were truly fighting. Right. M-A-R-R is for role reversals.

So you'll see that the dogs, if they're of different sizes or different sort of stamina or how big they are or how competent fighters they would be, that they'll take turns winning and losing.

So you'll see that the dogs, if they're of different sizes or different sort of stamina or how big they are or how competent fighters they would be, that they'll take turns winning and losing.

So you'll see that the dogs, if they're of different sizes or different sort of stamina or how big they are or how competent fighters they would be, that they'll take turns winning and losing.

Yeah, because it's not fun playing if you lose all the time. So in order to keep playing, the bigger dog needs to lose sometimes. So in order to keep this interaction going, that's the way to do that. And the last one, S, is self-handicap. So the larger dog will self-handicap themselves. You might see them doing a tug-of-war. And the large dog is just standing there and holding the thing.

Yeah, because it's not fun playing if you lose all the time. So in order to keep playing, the bigger dog needs to lose sometimes. So in order to keep this interaction going, that's the way to do that. And the last one, S, is self-handicap. So the larger dog will self-handicap themselves. You might see them doing a tug-of-war. And the large dog is just standing there and holding the thing.

Yeah, because it's not fun playing if you lose all the time. So in order to keep playing, the bigger dog needs to lose sometimes. So in order to keep this interaction going, that's the way to do that. And the last one, S, is self-handicap. So the larger dog will self-handicap themselves. You might see them doing a tug-of-war. And the large dog is just standing there and holding the thing.

And the small dog is like pulling and really trying to get the thing. And the big dog is just standing there doing nothing. But then if a human takes over the toy and starts pulling, then the big dog will engage and start showing more of his strength and escalate that behavior.