What Is Your Dog Trying To Tell You

Dogs communicate many things to us through their body language. Dogs also communicate with each other through different body positions and facial expressions. The more we are able to understand our dogs body language, the better we will be able to relate to and understanding our dogs. Some dogs do a better job at reading other dog's body language than others.

Read on to unlock the secret language our dogs use to communicate to us and each other. 

Tail Wagging

It's often said that if a dog is wagging their tail that they are happy, but that's not always true. A tail that is making long, side to side sweeps, the kind of wag that makes their whole body wiggle, that is a happy wag. A tail that is circling like a helicopter is another super excited, happy dog.  A faster, high-held, twitch-like wag can indicate a higher level of arousal and possibly in a negative way. A slow, low tail wag can be a dog on defense mode. A dog on alert or defense could be wagging its tail and not because it's happy to see you! 

The position of the tail in relation to the ground can be an indicator of your dog's emotion. A tail tucked up under their belly or flattened down tight, low to the ground is a nervous, fearful dog. Dogs with their tails up high in the air, held erect like a flag, is a sign of a confident or possibly even aggressive dog. Relaxed, happy dogs hold their tails in a neutral position, but this can vary from breed to breed. Some dogs have tails that curve over their backs, such as Pugs, Basenjis, and Chow Chows. Other breeds have low neutral tail positions such as Greyhounds, Dachshunds and Great Danes. Dogs that have short or docked tails, such as Rottweilers, Boxers and Bulldogs,  can be harder to read but often they still move their tails in various ways based on their emotional state. 

Raised Hackles

When a dog's hackles are raised it means the hair along their back is standing up. The fur across their shoulders or even the whole way down their back stands up when the dog is aroused. This could mean the dog is upset or it could mean they are excited or very interested in something. It's usually an involuntary reaction, similar to goosebumps in people. This is usually only able to be observed in dogs with shorter hair. Raised hackles aren't always a bad thing. Assessment of the situation will tell you more about why your dog has his hair up. 

Posture

How a dog positions their body can tell us a great deal about their feelings. A dog that is crouched low to the ground or hunched over is an insecure, nervous, or afraid dog. The dog is trying to make himself look smaller in an attempt to say "I'm not a threat". The dog may even roll onto their back, exposing their belly. This may look like the dog wants a belly rub. In a relaxed dog that may be the case, but with a dog that is nervous, stressed or scared, that dog is asking to be left alone. The dog may even urinate a bit as a show of appeasement. 

This is how a scared, submissive dog may react to a threat or in a situation they aren't comfortable with. The opposite of this would be a dog that is shifted forward. In this position the dog is trying to get closer to something. It might be due to interest or it could be an offensive position. If a forward shifted dog shows other signs such as a fast twitching tail held high, this is a dog that being very assertive and should be given space. They are trying to appear larger and often is a precursor to aggressive behavior. 

An easy to read body position is the "play bow". This is when a dog lowers the front part of their body and keeps their rump in the air. This position is used to initiate play with other dogs or even with people. 

Calming signals

Dogs use various types of facial expressions to indicate stress. When a dog yawns, you might assume he's tired, but if the yawn occurs in a tense or new situation, it could be because he is feeling stress. For example, if you take your dog to the veterinarian and he yawns during the exam, he is telling you that he is feeling stress. 

Lip licking is another way dogs show stress. Sometimes the tongue flick is so quick you might not even notice. If a stranger puts their face in close to your dog and your dog licks their lips, it might not be because they intend to give the stranger a kiss, it could be they are telling you they are anxious about the situation. 

Shifting of the eyes or turning of the head is another form of body language that tells you your dog is uncomfortable. Often people mistake their dog turning away as a sign their dog is being stubborn or ignoring them, when in reality it is your dog telling you they are unsure or uncertain.  If a child goes to give your dog a hug and the dog turns their head, they are asking for space. Sometimes they just shift their eyes. When you can see the whites of your dogs eye, this is called "whale eye" or "moon eye". It's a sure sign that your dog is uncomfortable with the situation. 

The eyes can tell you lots of information about your dog's feelings. A hard stare is a sure signal of a threat. The dog might be guarding a toy, or food, or a desired space. The body is often tense and stiff also. Soft eyes, with relaxed lids indicate the dog is happy and peaceful. It sometimes looks like the dog is squinting or sleepy. That's a happy dog. 

The mouth is also an indicator of emotion. A relaxed, open, slightly curved mouth is a happy mouth. Your dog looks like he's smiling! Panting can be happy or stressed depending on the situation. A tight, pulled back grimace is a sign of stress and irritation. 

Another popular calming signal is the wet dog shake. Have you ever seen your dog shake like they were wet, but they were dry? What was happening at the time? When a dry dog shakes themselves it is a way they relieve stress. It could be after a training session, it could be after a tense situation or it could be after something exciting happens. Stress isn't always a negative emotion. A dog that just ran an agility course might shake off afterward as a way of calming down after all the excitement. 

A dog's ears are also a good indicator of emotion. Ears that are normally erect, but are laying down or pinned back is a sign of a nervous or anxious dog. When a dog's ears are held forward, the dog is very interested in something, or being very assertive. Loose, relaxed ears are a happy, content dog. 

None of the dog body signals act alone. They are part of the whole package. By learning your dogs body language and interpreting correctly you will have a greater insight into how your dog is feeling. Your dog is "talking" to you all the time! If you can learn what your dog is saying it will help predict his behavior and prevent problems before they occur. 

❤ Katie Watterson

Do you have a question for Katie? Submit your question(s) to info@homemadepuppies.com.

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Thank you!

Don't forget to catch Katie's blog from last week: https://www.homemadepuppies.com/homemade-puppies-dog-toy-guide

*As always Katie's advice is on this blog are only meant to be used as tips and should never replace your veterinarian's advice. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your dog's health.