Dogs communicate their confusion with us in no uncertain terms. When a dog becomes confused, it's simply their way of expressing uncertainty about what’s happening, what’s intended, or what’s required of them.
Without clear guidance or if they feel pushed too far despite their confusion, they can easily become stressed. When this happens, it's essential to provide them with extra information instead of expecting them to figure it out.
The Conflict of Confusion
When a dog is confused about what’s expected, it’s likely they will feel conflicted. They know we want something, but they aren’t sure what that ‘something’ is. They desperately want to get it right but don’t know how, which creates a conflicted inner state. This, in turn, triggers conflicted behaviours – often known as displacement behaviours.
Displacement Behaviour in Action
Let’s look at an example: imagine a dog learning not to pull on the lead for the first time in his life. A slack lead is not natural for a dog – after all, they aren’t born wearing collars and leads. If someone suddenly put a collar and lead on you, you might resist it too. I know I would!
A thoughtful teacher (which could be you or me) rewards even the smallest signs of a slack lead, repeating this until the dog understands what’s expected. With clear and consistent guidance, the dog learns that a slack lead brings rewards.
However, if we move too quickly and the dog becomes confused, they will give us signs of their confusion. This is their way of communicating that they need us to take a step back and clarify our expectations. When we understand these signs, our communication becomes perfect, and the dog is happy to learn.
The Consequences of Misunderstanding
Now, imagine a force-based trainer teaching a dog not to pull on the lead but failing to make the lesson clear.
If this trainer doesn’t recognise displacement behaviour, they may misinterpret the dog’s actions, assuming the dog is being disobedient or dominant. This misunderstanding can lead to frustration on the trainer’s part, and they may blame the dog for not complying.
In reality, the dog is confused, showing classic signs of displacement like sniffing the ground or turning away. If the trainer responds with force – using a check collar or harsh commands – the dog’s confusion will only deepen, and stress will take over.
This is a heartbreaking scenario for the dog, who still doesn’t know what’s expected but now faces unnecessary stress and even abuse. All of this could have been avoided with a better understanding of canine confusion.
Spotting the Signs of Confusion
To prevent this, we need to learn to recognise the signs of confusion in dogs and avoid placing them in uncomfortable situations. Displacement behaviours are a clear indication that your dog is struggling to understand what’s expected.
Here are some common signs of confusion and how to respond to them:
Pacing When confused or stressed, some dogs will pace to burn off energy and distract themselves from the situation.
Scratching Dogs may scratch themselves frantically when confused, hoping to shift focus away from the source of their confusion. It’s their way of trying to escape the situation and give it time to resolve.
Sniffing A confused dog may sniff the ground, even though there’s no obvious scent. If this happens during a training session, it’s a good sign that your dog is overwhelmed and unsure of what’s being asked. This is the perfect moment to reassess your approach.
Turning Away or ‘Ignoring’ When a dog turns away from you, they aren’t being defiant. They’re simply confused and hoping the problem will disappear. Misinterpreting this as disobedience could lead to unnecessary stress for the dog.
Individual Responses to Confusion
Every dog has their own way of showing confusion. While one dog might sniff and yawn, another might pant and scratch. These signals are very similar to those of mild stress, so it’s important to pay attention and adjust your approach if necessary.
If you notice signs of confusion, whether during a training session or in daily life, your dog is trying to tell you something. If their confusion is ignored and they’re pushed further, it could escalate into a more serious stress response, such as fight or flight.
The ‘Fooling Around’ Reaction
‘Fooling around’ is one of the lesser-understood stress reactions. It’s often seen in situations where something is expected of the dog, like during a training session. The dog might fetch a toy, play with an object they’ve never shown interest in before, or even jump up and grab the lead. In extreme cases, dogs may exhibit height-seeking behaviour, such as jumping up at you to cope with stress.
Another common reaction to confusion is humping, which can happen in both male and female dogs. This behaviour is often a response to anxiety or stress.
Responding with Understanding
If your dog displays any of these behaviours, take a moment to assess why they might be feeling confused or stressed. Give them mental, physical and emotional space to process their feelings. Don’t rush to correct the behaviour; instead, address the environment. Unless the environment changes, your dog’s internal state will remain the same, and so will their behaviour.
By learning to recognise and respond to signs of confusion, we can build a stronger, more understanding relationship with our dogs – one where they feel safe and supported, and where communication flows both ways.
Practical Solutions for Helping Fearful and Anxious Dogs
For dog guardians and trainers alike, understanding how to reduce fear and stress in dogs is essential. Join me for a live webinar where we’ll dive into actionable, trauma-informed techniques that can transform a dog’s emotional state. Learn how to promote calm and confidence using gentle, effective methods, whether in the home or in a professional setting.
(Live on the 23rd September 2024 - 7pm UK time)
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