Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas popularized the term calming signals to describe these subtle communications. Dogs use them with other dogs and with humans: slow blinks, turning the head away, sniffing the ground, curving their walking path, and offering a paw. Cats slow-blink and turn sideways. These signals ask for space and signal that the animal does not want conflict. Misreading appeasement behaviors as guilt or submission leads to common misunderstandings. A dog that rolls belly-up when scolded is not showing remorse; it is trying to de-escalate your perceived threat. Punishing a dog displaying appeasement can increase anxiety and erode trust. Learning to recognize these signals helps you respond appropriately and reduce stress in your pet's daily life.