Publication Shake-Off Behaviour in Dogs
- Krisztina Harasztosi
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Publication in IAABC Foundation Journal, Issue 33
My peer-reviewed article was recently published in the IAABC Foundation Journal.You can read the full article here:
Note on evidence:
This is not a controlled experimental study. It is a hypothesis based on field observations from my work, interpreted alongside current research. The article went through the journal’s standard review process (editor review and anonymous peer review from both scientific and applied practice perspectives) and was revised multiple times over about a year. These ideas are not proven, but they are also not contradicted by current evidence and should be seen as an evolving hypothesis.
A shake-off behaviour is a full-body shake that dogs do not only when wet, but also after emotional, physical, or social changes. It often appears at transition points, when one situation ends and another begins.
You may notice it after a trigger, after excitement or tension, or simply between activities. This pattern suggests the behaviour is less about a single emotion and more about how dogs shift between states.
Shake-offs are often described as stress signals, but that explanation is too narrow. They also occur in neutral and low-arousal situations. Rather than treating them as a single indicator, it is more useful to see them as part of a broader process.
A practical way to look at this is through transitions. Instead of asking whether the dog is stressed, consider what the dog is moving out of, and what they are moving into. In this context, the shake-off may occur as the dog moves out of arousal and into a more settled state.
Across many cases, a consistent pattern appears: arousal or activation is followed by a shake-off, and then by more organized behaviour. For example, a dog may notice a trigger, pause, shake, and then move on more easily. This can show up as a softer body, easier disengagement, or a smoother continuation of behaviour. These changes are often subtle, but consistent enough to matter in practice. Not all shake-offs function the same way in every dog or situation, and context always matters.
If shake-offs are part of this transition process, they also present an opportunity. Using capturing (observe → mark → reinforce), the behaviour can be strengthened when it happens naturally. Based on learning science, behaviours that are reinforced are more likely to happen again. Reinforcing shake-offs may support how a dog moves out of arousal and into a more settled state. This approach builds on what the dog already offers.
In practice, the focus is not on labeling the behaviour, but on observing patterns. When does it happen, what happened just before, and what changes after? Over time, this gives a clearer picture of how the individual dog uses it.
It is striking that such a small behaviour may have a meaningful impact. It is easy to notice and easy to reinforce, and it may help dogs return to a more settled state sooner and more smoothly.
Sometimes, the most useful changes do not come from adding new behaviours, but from recognizing and supporting what the dog is already doing.
For more details, including references, case studies nad videos, limitations, and future research directions, see the full article:
If you want a simple, practical guide on how to apply this, you can download my short handout here.
Students or researchers interested in this topic are welcome to reach out.
Written by Krisztina Harasztosi, MSc. CDBC, ADT-IAABC
CSAP-BC, PST-CI, CBATI-KA.O FFCP, AnimalKind, FDM,
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