Communication

Communication

Canids have a rich and subtle system of communication. They use vocalizations, body movements, body positions and scent in order to convey their state of mind to others of their Pack both near, and from a distance. Vocalizations, although dramatic, are not the only method of communication a wolf or wolfdog uses. It is only the tip of the iceberg. When studying body language, one must consider the whole, not the parts. A laid-back ear or growl must be taken in context with all the other body positions, or a mistranslation can easily occur.

1) Passive Submission

2) Active Submission

3) Pindown Move

4) Attack Stance

5) Domination Posture

6) Defensive Stance

7) Fear Aggression
Or Ambivalence

8) Running in Fear

9) Running in Play

10) Play Bow

1) The body position of the wolf laying down is an example of a wolf being passive submissive.
2) The wolf on the left side of this illustration demonstrates the way a wolf looks when it is in active submission. It is "active" as opposed to "passive" because an action on the part of the submissive wolf is required, rather then laying down and being still.
3) This body position is of wolves fighting with the top wolf pinning the other wolf to the ground.
4) This body position is of a wolf when it is attacking. Note the forward pitch of the ears, the agonistic "pucker" of the mouth, the general tenseness & tightness of the body positioning.
5) This shows how a yearling, or a lower-status wolf would submit to a fully dominant wolf. Note the tail position in the fully dominant wolf.
6) This body position is of a wolf when it is defensive or is feeling threatened.
7) This body posture indicates that the wolf is feeling both fear and aggressiveness. It is an ambivalent state between fight and flight.
8) This type body position when running indicates that the wolf is running in fear. Note the tight containment of the tail, the flattening of the ears and arched back.
9) This type body position when running indicates that the wolf is playing. Note the relaxed tail, and loose body positioning.
10) This is called a "Play Bow", and it is an invitation to play.

This is the typical dominant position of a confident Alpha wolf.

This horizontal stiffly held tail position indicates the wolf is going to attack or is hunting.

A loosely wagging tail indicates a relaxed animal.

This somewhat drooped tail position indicates the wolf is relatively relaxed.

This drooped, loose tail position indicates the wolf is even more relaxed.

This half tail tuck along with a partially arched back indicates that the wolf is humbling itself to a more dominant wolf and is a form of submission.

This fully tucked tail along with a highly arched back shows that the wolf is in extreme fear of something (a more dominant wolf) and is another form of submission

ALL body parts are used to communicate.
The wolf, as a species, has specialized even it's coloration in order to emphasize
its' use of body language as a communication tool.

From California Wolf Center's Site
With special thanks to Karyln Atkinson Berg

The vocalizations of wolves is also a rich source of communication.
I invite you to visit these excellent sites to hear recordings of wolf vocalizations.
Nova On-Line What's in a Howl?
Timberwolf Information Network's Audio Gallery

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