Understanding Canine Body Language: A Guide for Finnish Lapphund Owners

As an owner of a Finnish Lapphund, you know that communication goes beyond commands and tricks. Your Lappy expresses a complex array of emotions & intentions through body language, and understanding these cues is essential for a successful training relationship. In this article, we'll explore the specific body language of Finnish Lapphunds, helping you foster a deeper bond with your canine companion.

The Unique Body Language of Finnish Lapphunds

Finnish Lapphunds are known for their expressive nature and strong connection to their humans. Their body language can vary based on their mood, environment, and interactions. Here are some key signals specific to this breed:

Tail Position and Movement

• Curled with Occasional Wagging: A Finnish Lapphund with its curled tail held high & wagging is typically excited and happy. This indicates readiness to engage and is a great sign for training or play. Finnish Lapphunds wag their tails much less frequently than other dogs with non-curled tails, so if you see a little wag of excitement they are very happy!
• Flat or Neutral: Most Finnish Lapphunds carry their tails curled over their backs, reflecting confidence. When their tail hangs straight down or is neutral, it suggests a more subdued, relaxed & natural state. They’re likely deep in thought about a particular scent or sound.
• Tail Tucked Under: This is a clear sign your Lapphund is scared, look & remove the trigger, provide comfort and then redirect to a more positive experience.

Ear Position

• Forward and Alert: Finnish Lapphunds have distinctive erect ears. When these are perked up and facing forward, it indicates curiosity and attentiveness. This is an excellent time to engage with them in training or exploration.
• Back and Relaxed: If the ears are relaxed and slightly pulled back to the side, your Lappy may be content and happy doing what they’re doing. This can signify a playful mood or a Lappy that is happy to chill.
• Flat Against the Head: Ears pinned back typically indicates submission, and sometimes fear or anxiety. Submissive ear flattening is very common when Finnish Lapphunds greet people, you’ll notice them rush in for face licks with their ears flattened. This is completely adorable and your Lapphund is comfortable! However, in other situations, ear flattening can indicate your Lappy is scared, so if your Finnish Lapphund shows this behaviour, it’s essential to evaluate the environment and offer reassurance.

​Eye Contact

• Soft, Relaxed Eyes: A Finnish Lapphund that gazes at you with soft, relaxed eyes is feeling secure and comfortable. This is ideal for positive reinforcement during training.
• Hard Stare: A tense or hard stare may signify they’re fixed on a herding subject or it can be a warning or challenge to a perceived threat. This behaviour should be taken seriously; assess the situation carefully and consider redirecting your Lapphund’s focus. Unless you’re specifically training your Lappy to herd, I would redirect any staring behaviour to a game, toy or a cuddle. Do this consistently and they’ll be less intense with the subjects of their herding skills!

Body Posture

• Relaxed and Loose: A calm, relaxed stance with a loose body indicates comfort. This is a great sign for training sessions and social interactions.
• Stiff and Tense: If your Lapphund's body is tense and stiff, it can signify anxiety or readiness to react. Observe the surroundings and determine if adjustments are needed to alleviate stress.
• Overly floppy and silly: This Finnish Lapphund wants to play and is feeling very comfortable & happy. They may not be overly interested in training though! Lets delight them with a fun game and plenty of praise!

Mouth Movements

• Relaxed Mouth: A slightly open mouth with a relaxed tongue hanging out indicates a happy and content Finnish Lapphund. This is a favourable sign during training.
• Closed and Tensed: A tightly closed mouth may signal discomfort or anxiety. In such cases, take a step back and assess the situation.
• Yawning: Frequent yawning can be a clear sign of anxiety, discomfort, or displeasure. It’s a bit like a person wringing their hands. It’s a displacement of stress and usually they will adjust and remove themselves from the stressful stimuli. Sometimes they even do this when another dog is getting treats & they’re not happy with the lack of attention! Carefully assess the situation and your Lappy’s mood.

Play Bow

• Playful Invitation: The classic play bow - like the downward dog in Yoga - front legs stretched forward while the rear stays upright – it invites others to play. This is a clear sign that your Lapphund wants to engage in fun activities and should always be encouraged.

Paw Raising

• Placing the Paw on their Owner: This Finnish Lapphund signal indicates they want you to keep cuddling them, or to give them whatever you have in your hands. They often do this during belly rubs to keep them coming!
• Single Paw Lift: Lifting a paw while standing can indicate uncertainty or curiosity. This is often seen when they encounter something new or unfamiliar.

​Rolling Over

• Exposing the Belly: A Finnish Lapphund that rolls onto its back and shows its belly is demonstrating trust and relaxation. It’s an invitation for affection, and demonstrates the Lappy nature at its best. In hot climates it can also mean they’re looking for a cool spot to lie down and getting ready for a nap.
• Suddenly Flopping over during Training: Finnish Lapphunds are clever and sometimes they pull this move when they’ve had enough training for one day! You’ll notice this towards the end of a hour long puppy school training session, when they’re a bit tired, full or ready to try another activity.
• Exposing the Belly to another Dog: This is a sign of submission and is normal canine behaviour. There are all sorts of personalities in a dog pack, and they’re signalling to the other dogs that they aren’t a threat. It can be frequent when greeting new dogs for the first time if your lappy has a softer side.

Canine Body Language as a Whole

The information we've discussed so far is a useful guide to certain aspects of canine body language and canine communication. In real life, dogs are complex social beings with very sophisticated methods of communicating to one another and the world around them through complex body language. Experienced owners are usually good at being able to read the signs and situations, specific to each environment. Always remember, dogs are far better at reading body language than humans are!

The reasoning that dogs display is completely different to that of human nature. All too often humans can misread the canine signals or mistake them for something unrelated to what the dog was trying to communicate. Always be mindful of this and first observe the situation, look at the signals your dog is displaying and consider the messages they are trying to convey. Think like a dog!

How to Use Body Language in Training

• Observe and Respond: Pay close attention to your Finnish Lapphund’s body language during training sessions. If they seem stressed or distracted, take a break or switch activities to keep the experience positive.

• Be Expressive: Use your own body language to communicate effectively. Bend down to their level, maintain a relaxed posture, and use a soothing tone to foster trust. They are very perceptive to this style of communication!

• Use Hand Gestures: Dogs are experts in non-verbal communication and it can be very effective to teach a skill using hand gestures first, before adding in any verbal cues.

• Practice Calmness: If your Lapphund shows signs of inattention, employ calming techniques like stroking their whole body, a slow calming belly rub, or even a short walk to help them relax and refocus.

• Reinforce Positive Signals: When your Finnish Lapphund displays positive body language (e.g. relaxed stance, wagging tail), reinforce this behaviour with praise or treats, helping them associate good feelings with training.

Conclusion

Understanding the complex body language Finnish Lapphunds display is key to building a strong, trusting relationship and a lifelong friendship. By recognising and responding to their signals, you can enhance your training experience and achieve more efficient communication. Dogs are body language experts so let's incorporate and harness their amazing skills during training! I’m sure when you embrace the unique communication style of your Finnish Lapphund, you’ll watch your bond grow stronger than ever!