Appeasement behaviors in dogs are easy to miss and often misinterpreted. Humans often perceive these conflict-reducing behaviors as cute or affectionate, when they are often an indication of conflicted or anxious feelings. These behaviors are common during greetings with new people, when the dog feels the other dog or person they are interacting with is distressed, or if the dog themself is worried about something. Dogs express their discomfort with a variety of behaviors. Many of the behaviors that fall under the “appeasement behavior” label also fall on the lowest rungs of the “ladder of aggression.”  These behaviors are often
Read More