Learning about dog behavior and body language is an excellent way for dog parents to identify and understand what their dog is trying to say. Dogs communicate through non-verbal cues, yet owners often misinterpret their behavior. Your dog’s facial expressions and posture can signal their emotions and intentions, whether it’s tail wagging, going around in circles, or barking and growling. Here’s everything you need to know to help you better communicate and foster an emotional connection with your canine companion.
Understanding Body Language
Dogs will be dogs. They’ll play fetch, roll over, beg, chew your beloved possessions, and bark like there’s no tomorrow. Sometimes, their behavior is cute; other times, it can be a total pain.
As dog owners or caretakers, it’s our responsibility to master our dog’s language . They deserve to be heard. Many of us have been baffled by our dog’s sudden responses.
But, your fur-baby has likely already dropped warning signals that they’re unhappy or snappy through subtle signs that are lost in translation.
Every dog is different, and you must evaluate individual features like breed, shape, and size. Your biggest advantage is that you know your dog best. Before assuming their emotional state, take all factors from head to tail into consideration.
The context will help you connect the dots. For instance, your dog might drool when you’re preparing their dinner and they are expecting food. But, if the same dog drools when carried into a car, it could indicate anxiety surrounding the journey ahead.
Translating Body Language to Dog Behavior
Body language is part of a package. From the position of their tail to their eye shape, your dog uses multiple, simultaneous behaviors to talk to you.
Tail-Wagging
A happy dog obviously wags its tail, right? Wrong. People mistake this behavior all the time. Tail-wagging is only an indication of heightened emotions. It could be joy, anger, or even worse.
The faster the wag, the more stimulated the dog. Think about how your pup sweeps its tail from side to side when welcoming you home at the end of the day compared to a vigilant guard dog. Faster-twitch-like wags represent a higher level of excitement, often for the worse.
Research suggests that the direction of tail-wagging holds clues, too. Dogs wag their tail to the right or in a helicopter circular motion when happy about something like playtime with their owner. When confronted with negativity, they wag their tail more to the left.
Dog’s showcase their level of assertiveness in how high their tail is. Tails tucked between your canine’s legs or pointing downwards are signs of fear or stress. Dogs waving their tails are confident and perhaps even hostile.
Calm dogs typically hang their tails in a neutral position, but this depends on their breed. Chow Chows have curled tails, while Italian Greyhounds have a low tail position. You can identify a shift in behavior by understanding what neutral looks like for your dog.
Posture
Posture speaks volumes about a dog’s temperament. A dog that is afraid would crouch to the ground. The dog might be trying to escape a situation; thus, it positions itself to look smaller. Cowering and hunching display fear or nervousness and declare they intend no harm.
A dog that rolls over onto its back might look like it’s asking for a belly rub. In a relaxed dog, this is often the case. But in an extreme case of anxiety, it can be a sign of submission. Some dogs may even urinate in this position.
Dogs with weight shifted forward as if they were approaching something, which suggests curiosity. But if coupled with other aggressive body language like a twitching tail, it could imply offensive intentions.
The play bow is a straightforward body language indicator. This is when dogs lay their bellies on the ground and raise their rump. As its name suggests, it’s used for initiating play.
A less understood sign is the paw raise. It’s part of pointing behavior, signaling nearby prey. Outside of this context, a raised paw indicates insecurity or uncertainty.
Raised Hair
Puffed-up back hair means your dog’s hackles are raised. This is known as piloerection. Their hair might raise across their shoulders down to their tail. Think of it like getting goosebumps – it’s an involuntary response.
Piloerection is a definite sign of arousal, which could be negative or positive. Perhaps your dog is unhappy, or perhaps it indicates intense interest.
Facial Expressions
Dogs and humans have similar features, but their underlying meanings differ. Humans yawn when sleepy or bored, whereas dogs yawn as a calming signal when agitated or overstimulated.
Lip-licking is another dog behavior that might be misunderstood. Dogs lick their lips after a delicious treat or meal, but they also do it when feeling anxious.
Tongue flicks are tricky to notice because of how quick they are. Your dog doesn’t want to lick your face. Instead, it’s trying to express their discomfort.
Smiling is the most confusing expression because it can look terrifying. When dogs show off their teeth, it is a warning, especially when paired with growls and snarls. Happy dogs sway towards showing their front teeth only in a submissive grin. This is often found with a loose and wiggly posture. Look out for their overall attitude to determine what their smile suggests.
Eyes and Ear Signals
Looking at your dog’s eyes and ears can tell you a lot about their internal state. Dogs often avoid making direct eye contact. But after socialization, they might learn that a stare doesn’t always mean a challenge.
Pooches averting their eyes is doggie language for being polite. However, when a dog has its gaze fixed on something or someone, it indicates agitation.
You’ll notice your pooch’s ears gently pulled back with happy tail-wagging when they are friendly or desire cuddling. But, if your furry friend’s ears are pinned back or to the signs, this sends a message of fear. It could be obedience or a tip-off to an impending attack. Dog’s ears perk up when they are curious or alerted by their surroundings.
Woofs to Words
Although body language is an essential aspect of dog behavior, they also rely on vocalization to convey messages. A string of barks usually translates to a warning, distress, or happiness. A high-pitched tone means something’s off, while low-toned barks mean something is bothering your dog.
Howling is a way to locate you or to seek attention. Some dogs also howl at alarm sounds, bells, or passing sirens. Whining is often based on anticipation or stress. It can also be a sign of pain, so if this is a repetitive, pronounced, or unusually new behavior, it’s essential to visit a vet. Growling can indicate playfulness or roughhousing, depending on context.
Conclusion
Dog behavior is fascinating and more complex than most people think. They reveal emotions and thoughts, which offer a fascinating way to explore our furry friends in more in-depth, meaningful ways. Learning more about your puppy’s body language and communication can help nurture the special bond you already share with them!
