Why Do Dogs Do Downward Dog

Downward Dog: Exploring the Origins and Meanings of a Classic Canine Yoga Pose

If you’ve ever done yoga or watched someone practice it, you’re probably familiar with the pose called downward dog. It involves stretching your arms and legs while keeping your hands and feet on the ground, creating an inverted V shape with your body. But have you ever wondered why this pose is named after a dog, or why dogs themselves seem to naturally assume a similar posture? In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of canine behavior and evolution to find out why dogs do downward dog.

First of all, let’s clarify what we mean by “downward dog”. While the yoga pose may be inspired by the way a dog stretches its front and back muscles, it’s not exactly the same as what dogs do. Dogs don’t usually hold their heads down or lift their hips up when they stretch. Instead, they tend to lower their chest and extend their hind legs behind them, often with their tail wagging or their tongue lolling out. This position is sometimes called “play bow” or “prayer pose”, depending on the context and intent of the dog.

So why do dogs play bow or pray? There are many possible reasons, depending on the situation and the individual dog’s personality. Here are some of the most common explanations:

– Communication: Dogs use body language to convey different messages to other dogs or humans. Play bowing can signal that a dog wants to play or invite another dog to interact with them in a friendly manner. Praying can indicate submission or respect towards a more dominant figure, such as an owner or a stranger.
– Exercise: Dogs need to stretch their muscles just like humans do, especially after sleeping or resting for a while. Play bowing can also serve as a warm-up before chasing or wrestling with other dogs, while praying can help a dog prepare for a jump or a sprint.
– Emotion: Dogs are social animals that experience a wide range of emotions, from joy and excitement to fear and anxiety. Play bowing can express happiness and playfulness, while praying can express gratitude or apology. Some dogs may also pray as a way to cope with stress or discomfort, similar to how humans may pray or meditate.

Now let’s look at the evolutionary roots of canine stretching behavior. Dogs are descended from wolves, which are still their closest living relatives in the wild. Wolves also exhibit various forms of stretching and body language that serve similar functions as those of domesticated dogs. For example, young wolves often play bow to initiate social play with packmates or adults, while adult wolves may lower their forequarters and raise their hindquarters as a sign of submission or respect towards a higher-ranking wolf.

However, there’s also evidence that dogs have developed some unique traits related to their close association with humans over thousands of years of domestication. One study published in 2013 by researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna found that dogs who had frequent eye contact with their owners during training sessions were more likely to perform play bows than those who didn’t. This suggests that dogs have learned to use eye contact as a social cue that triggers playful behavior, which is not something that wild wolves would do.

Another study published in 2016 by researchers at E?tv?s Lor¨¢nd University in Hungary compared the behavior of pet dogs and shelter dogs when exposed to human-directed speech and music. The results showed that both types of dogs were more likely to assume the prayer position when listening to slow-tempo music than when listening to fast-tempo music or speech. This suggests that dogs may have an innate sensitivity to certain auditory stimuli that affects their posture and emotional state.

So what does all this mean for dog owners and enthusiasts? Well, first of all, it means that dogs are complex and fascinating creatures that deserve our attention and respect. They have evolved to communicate, exercise, and express their emotions in ways that are unique to their species and individual personalities. By observing and interacting with dogs in a mindful way, we can deepen our understanding of them and strengthen our bond with them.

Secondly, it means that yoga and other forms of exercise that involve stretching can be bene