1 Tip, 1 Idea, 1 Quote.
On head turns
Dog Trainer Auckland
April 21, 2026
1 Tip - on life with your dog
When your dog turns their head away as you reach out to pat them, they are communicating: "No, thank you — not right now."
It's called a calming signal — one of dozens of gestures dogs use to tell us exactly how they feel. The head turn during patting is one of the most commonly missed and most commonly overridden. Most people reach further in. Learning to notice it changes everything — for your dog, and every dog you meet.
1 Idea - on the leading edge
Most dogs are patted without ever being asked. Your dog is giving you feedback constantly. Here's how to listen.
Stroke your dog gently on the shoulder, then stop and wait.
Leans in, nudges your hand, steps closer? That's a yes. Turns away, leans back, freezes? That's a no, not right now.
Respect it and move away. A dog who chooses contact will always respond more warmly than one who simply tolerates it.
1 Quote - on dogs
Calming signals are the dog's way of trying to keep things peaceful. When we learn to use them ourselves, we open a completely different conversation. Turid Rugaas, On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals.
Turid Rugaas has spent a lifetime teaching people to see what dogs are already saying.
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