What are appeasement signals in Dogs?

Appeasement behaviours are ‘calming signals’ that act to prevent conflict by showing that they are not a threat. This response can also be called a ‘fawning’ response. When animals (and people!) are under threat, they have four behavioural options available to them, Fight, Flight, Freeze and Fawn.

Fawning can be compared to people pleasing behaviour. In dogs this may present as licking, jumping and rolling over the expose the belly. In many cases, these behavioural changes are labelled as ‘submissive’. Other examples of fawning behaviour may include breaking eye contact, turning away or lifting a paw.

Expression of a fawning/appeasement behaviour may be completely appropriate based on the context. If the individual feels pressure, escalating conflict or is unsure about the situation, they may choose these behavioural responses. However, if we see a high frequency of appeasement behaviours that are not flexible according to the situation, they may indicate a behavioural problem exists. For example, If an individual displays rolls over every time they are greeted by a dog, this may indicate that the individual perceives all dogs as potential threats and tries to diffuse the potential for conflict. While some dogs may in fact be threatening, others may be conveying social behaviours that are non-threatening and the individual is unable to identify the difference in communication.

One potential risk of unidentified fawning responses is that they animal may choose to alter their coping strategy. If rolling over does not diffuse the threat, then another coping strategy from the fight/flight/freeze/fawn options may be chosen. In many cases, this may be the presentation of aggression and although the aggression may be new, the emotional state of the animal has been the same.