this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2025
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Explain Like I'm Five

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Why does Dog and Human language differ on what shaking head means? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 11 hours ago by allo@sh.itjust.works to c/explainlikeimfive@lemmy.world
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Dogs even not trained by other dogs shake their entire body (like shaking head but entire body) as one of the common ways to express 'im comfortable, good, everything is ok'. When I communicate to my dogs in their language, I often think when doing a shake for 'yes its ok', that this is one of the unusual areas where dog communication and human communication is nearly opposite and I'm curious why. Why does a human shaking their head mean No while a dog doing a similar shake, but of their whole body, translate not explicitly but very closely to Yes?

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[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Dogs even not trained by other dogs shake their entire body (like shaking head but entire body) as one of the common ways to express 'im comfortable, good, everything is ok'.

Why do you think this is true? Not saying it isn't true, but the likely hood imo is very weak that this is the case. They probably do it to just feel comfortable, shake dirt off that's itching them or loosen fur on their backs. Who really knows though.

[–] allo@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago) (1 children)

because it just is and anyone who believes anything different from what i believe is wrong

[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 1 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

How self-righteous of you. Enjoy your dog questions