CDT Canine Behavior & Body Language 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dog approaches a stranger with a low, slow wag of the tail held below the topline. What does this most likely signal?
- Excitement and playfulness
- Uncertainty or mild apprehension (Correct answer)
- Dominant aggression
- Relaxed friendliness
Correct answer: Uncertainty or mild apprehension
A slow, low tail wag indicates the dog is uncertain or cautious, not confidently friendly.
Question 2: Which of the following is a classic 'cut-off signal' a dog uses to interrupt social tension?
- Sustained direct eye contact
- Yawning or lip licking (Correct answer)
- Piloerection along the spine
- Hard stare with closed mouth
Correct answer: Yawning or lip licking
Yawning and lip licking are calming/cut-off signals dogs use to de-escalate tension in social interactions.
Question 3: A dog that repeatedly rolls onto its back when approached by another dog is displaying what type of behavior?
- Play solicitation
- Passive submission (Correct answer)
- Predatory drift
- Redirected aggression
Correct answer: Passive submission
Rolling onto the back and exposing the abdomen is a passive submissive gesture that communicates non-threat.
Question 4: Which ear position in dogs is most associated with active attention and positive engagement?
- Ears flattened tightly against the skull
- Ears rotated forward and slightly erect (Correct answer)
- Ears held loosely to the sides
- Ears pinned back with visible tension
Correct answer: Ears rotated forward and slightly erect
Ears rotated forward signal attentiveness and engagement with the environment or a person.
Question 5: What does a dog communicate when it 'freezes' completely during handling?
- It is highly relaxed and comfortable
- It is preparing to play
- It is experiencing extreme stress and may bite (Correct answer)
- It is performing a trained stay behavior
Correct answer: It is experiencing extreme stress and may bite
A sudden freeze during handling is a warning sign of high stress and imminent potential for defensive biting.
Question 6: A dog's pupils appear dilated and its gaze is described as 'whale eye' (showing white sclera). What does this indicate?
- Extreme happiness and excitement
- Deep relaxation
- Fear or anxiety (Correct answer)
- Dominant confidence
Correct answer: Fear or anxiety
Dilated pupils and whale eye are stress indicators signaling that the dog feels threatened or anxious.
Question 7: Which scenario best describes an 'agonistic pucker' in dogs?
- The dog's lips are pulled back to expose front and side teeth in a tense face (Correct answer)
- The dog's mouth hangs open in a relaxed pant
- The dog wrinkles its nose while sniffing the ground
- The dog opens its mouth widely during play
Correct answer: The dog's lips are pulled back to expose front and side teeth in a tense face
An agonistic pucker is a facial tension signal where lip retraction exposes teeth as a warning display.
CDT Canine Behavior & Body Language 2
A dog approaches a stranger with a low, slow wag of the tail held below the topline.
What does this most likely signal?