On head turns
- Apr 21
- 1 min read
1 Tip, 1 Idea, 1 Quote.
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're communicating: "No, thank you — not right now."
It's one of dozens of gestures called Calming Signals 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 don't notice it. Learning to observe these signals changes everything — for your dog, and every dog you meet.
1 Idea - to think about
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.
Do they lean in, nudge your hand, step closer? That's a yes. Or do they turn away, lean back, freeze? 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. (-- Read her full article on calming signals → )
What signals do you notice?
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