{"id":14631,"date":"2022-08-03T06:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T12:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=14631"},"modified":"2022-08-03T06:37:29","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T12:37:29","slug":"how-to-read-dog-body-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/pet-parenting\/how-to-read-dog-body-language","title":{"rendered":"How to Speak Dog by Understanding Canine Body Language"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all love dogs, but we aren’t always good at understanding what they think and how they are feeling. When trying to understand people, non-verbal communication is just part of understanding someone, but with our canine best friends, body language is everything. All humans can benefit from knowing how to read dog body language in order to understand how dogs communicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding dog body language<\/a> includes looking at a body posture as well as facial expressions. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of a dog\u2019s emotional state as well as overall comfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, popular viral videos and pictures of dogs on social media often show dogs whose eyes are open very wide, or who are looking awkward while children lay on them. To the untrained eye, these pictures might look cute. Once you are familiar with canine body language, however, you\u2019ll quickly realize how uncomfortable and stressed the dogs are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming fluent in canine body language can also help you to be a better advocate for your dog in a variety of situations like greeting other dogs, meeting new people<\/a>, or even visits to the vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reading Dog Body Language<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To get a full understanding of what a dog is communicating through its body language, you need to look at a dog\u2019s entire body from mouth to tail — including eye contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wagging tail might mean a dog is happy like most people assume. However, tail-wagging can actually mean a variety of things ranging from happy to agitated. As such, it\u2019s important to look at the dog\u2019s overall posture and body movements before assigning meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all know a wide wagging tail wag that extends through the whole body, combined with the dog\u2019s face being relaxed, means a dog is happy. A tight swishing tail wag, however, can be a sign of stress<\/strong>. A stiff wag, when accompanied by hard starting and\/or a tense, tight face and body, actually means that dog is very agitated and aroused. Depending on the dog and the situation, this could escalate into an aggressive incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressed \/ Scared Dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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This dog’s body language shows he is extremely uncomfortable and fearful of his environment.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dogs who are stressed or fearful will often look as though they are avoiding something. These dogs may turn their head away, avoid looking at you or whatever is upsetting. They may also deflect or self-soothe by suddenly becoming very interested in sniffing the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs who are feeling uncertain or anxious about a situation may also randomly begin scratching or licking themselves. Scared, stressed, or anxious dogs<\/a> may pace, cower, shake or tremble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People may mistake a dog rolling over as asking for a belly rub. In reality, they may be very afraid. At this point, some dogs will involuntarily urinate, attempt to hide behind their person or try to escape the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A scared or stressed dog may yawn frequently and round its back cowering almost into a ball. They may flatten their ears back against their head, and their tail may also be tucked tightly up between their rear legs. A tense and still body that isn\u2019t followed by play is another physical indicator that your dog may be concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fearful dog may respond by licking its lips often or drooling and panting when it\u2019s not hot out. This is often accompanied by pinned ears, a tense or tight face, and what is referred to as \u201cwhale eye<\/strong>.\u201d When your dog’s eyes are making a whale eye, their pupils are very dilated and bulging with lots of white showing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zoomies don’t always equal joy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Some dogs get very hyperactive when they have been stressed and might start running erratically. Also known as getting the \u201czoomies,\u201d it’s as a way of blowing off that stored-up stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These excited dogs may look like they are having a great time, but they may be overwhelmed and trying to defuse or avoid the situation that is making them feel uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs who are feeling stressed are also likely to shake all over even though they aren\u2019t wet. This is a way of calming down or refocusing when a stressful situation is over. Lip licking and yawning are common calming signals, ways that dogs will attempt to self-soothe in stressful situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related reading: Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Content & Happy Dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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When you see a happy dog you are going to be looking at an overall relaxed body position and posture. A happy and content dog will appear physically relaxed and soft. A happy dog’s ears will be in a relaxed position. (This will differ depending on the dog\u2019s breed and natural ear position.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A play bow, where a dog lowers their front end until elbows are on the ground, tail wagging, and butt in the air, is a good sign that a dog is happy and trying to initiate play with you or another animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs who are playing with each other or with you will often display bouncy movements. If two (or more) dogs are playing together and exhibit loud growls, barks, or even mouthing, the dog\u2019s overall body language is soft and no one is getting hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs playing well together will be reading each other’s body language closely. They’ll also tend to switch between who is chasing and who is being chased. They will naturally take breaks before initiating play again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When happy, the dog’s ears will be relaxed, not pressed back against the head. For example, a retriever’s relaxed floppy ears look different from a husky’s relaxed prick ears; but overall, when understanding if a dog is comfortable, we are looking for a generally neutral position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When content and happy, a dog\u2019s tail, mouth, eyes, and ears will all appear to be relaxed. Happy dogs may be observing the world around them, but don\u2019t appear to be hyper-focused. Additionally, no part of their body will appear tense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, when a dog is feeling content, the relaxed dog will likely lean into you during petting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aggression Looks Like<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aggressive dog behaviour is a complicated topic with a variety of underlying causes. It is a sign of fear. Aggression is a natural fight-or-flight act for dogs who feel they have no other alternative way to respond. It doesn\u2019t mean that they are bad or inherently violent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aggressive behavior is generally the result of a dog being put into a position that is overwhelming, scary, or otherwise uncomfortable for them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, no dog breed is inherently aggressive<\/a>. Individual breed traits may influence reactions — some breeds are inherently more driven to chase prey, guard livestock, herd, or be all around sociable with strangers — but no breed of dog is inherently aggressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of aggression, or that aggressive behavior could happen, are because the dog is agitated or uncomfortable. It stems from fear. Body language to be aware of includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n