Understanding Body Language of Dogs
Understanding Your Dogs Body Language
Tail Wagging
Tail-wagging seems like the most obvious body language signal. 99% of people still take this as the Dog is happy? Wrong. People misinterpret this signal all the time and can sometimes lead to complications further down the line.
All a wagging tail means is that the dog is emotionally aroused. It could be excitement, but it could be frustration or worse. To interpret the dog’s emotions and intentions, look at the speed and direction of the wag, as well as the position of the tail.
Basically, the faster the wag, the more aroused the dog. Think about those long, slow, side-to-side tail sweeps your dog makes when greeting you — the type that wags the dog’s whole body. That’s a relaxed dog. A faster, twitch-like wag indicates a higher level of arousal, possibly in a negative way. Think of a guard dog on alert. Don’t always take this as a happy sign, think just because someone is smiling doesn’t mean they’re happy.
The direction of a dog’s tail wag can reveal significant clues about their emotions. Research indicates that dogs tend to wag their tails more to the right when they feel positive, such as during interactions with their owners. Conversely, tails wag more to the left when dogs encounter something negative. The “helicopter tail wag,” where the tail spins in a circle, is a clear sign of happiness, often seen when a dog greets a beloved person.
The position of the dog’s tail relative to the ground is also telling of their emotional state. Generally, the higher the tail, the more assertive the dog. A tail pointing down or tucked between the legs indicates fear or stress, while a tail held high suggests confidence or even aggression.
Relaxed dogs have their tails in a neutral position, which varies by breed. For example, Chow Chows naturally have tails that curl over their backs, while Italian Greyhounds have a lower neutral tail position. Understanding your dog’s neutral tail position can help you quickly identify changes in their emotional state.
Dog Posture
Aren’t those head tilts cute. However, how a Dog’s posture looks and they present themselves can tell us a lot.
A dog’s weight distribution can reveal much about their mood and intentions. For instance, a dog that crouches low and hunches toward the ground is typically displaying fear or stress, attempting to appear smaller and signal that they mean no harm.
An extreme version of this behavior is when a dog rolls onto its back and exposes its belly. While this can look like a request for a belly rub from a relaxed dog, it may also indicate significant stress or anxiety. In such cases, the dog might even urinate slightly as a sign of submission.
Conversely, a dog that shifts its weight forward is moving closer to something, which can indicate interest. However, if this posture is accompanied by other aggressive body language, such as a high, twitching tail, it may suggest offensive intentions. Here, the dog is trying to appear larger and more assertive.
One of the more straightforward aspects of dog body language is the play bow, where a dog lowers its chest to the ground while raising its hindquarters. This position is a clear invitation to play, signalling friendliness and engagement with both other dogs and people.
On the other hand, the raised paw is a subtler signal. In pointing breeds like the English Setter, this behaviour is part of their instinctual pointing to nearby prey. However, outside of this context, a raised paw often signifies uncertainty or insecurity, indicating that the dog may be unsure about the situation.
Eyes
A lovely pair of piercing eyes can do wonders for Dogs getting the treats they want and deserve. I mean who wouldn’t want to give chocolate or share there meal with a pair of tilted gazing, begging eyes.
Observing your dog’s eyes can provide valuable insights into their emotional state. A dog’s eyes can appear soft or hard, each reflecting different moods. Soft eyes, characterized by relaxed lids and a squinting appearance, indicate that the dog is calm or content. In contrast, hard eyes, which look cold and intense, suggest a negative state of mind. This hard gaze often signals that the dog is guarding something or feeling aggressive, and a prolonged, intense stare usually indicates a perceived threat.
Eye contact plays a crucial role in canine communication. While a hard stare may precede aggressive behaviour, a dog’s tendency to look away serves to de-escalate tension. When stressed, dogs deliberately avoid eye contact to signal discomfort or anxiety. Although this behaviour might be misunderstood as disobedience or stubbornness, it’s actually the dog’s way of expressing unease and attempting to calm the situation.
Facial Expressions
Dogs have facial expressions similar to humans, but they use them differently. Take yawning, for example: while people yawn out of tiredness or boredom, dogs yawn primarily when they are stressed. According to Turid Rugaas, author of On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals, dogs use yawning as a way to self-soothe during tense situations and to calm others, including their owners. Rugaas suggests that yawning at your dog during stressful moments, like a vet visit, can offer reassurance. Don’t be surprised if your dog yawns back; just as yawning is contagious among people, dogs can “catch” yawns as well.
Lip-licking is another nuanced aspect of canine body language. While dogs, like people, may lick their lips after a tasty meal, they also do so when they feel anxious. This quick tongue flick might be subtle and difficult to notice, but it’s not a sign of affection. Instead, it indicates discomfort or unease.
The facial expression that often confuses people is smiling. Some dogs do smile, but if you’re not familiar with it, it might seem intimidating. Typically, when a dog bares its teeth, it’s a warning sign, as in a snarl accompanied by a menacing growl. The lips curl into a C shape, and the front teeth are fully exposed, signaling aggression.
Conversely, a smiling dog displays its front teeth in a non-threatening way, known as a submissive grin. This expression is seen in a happy, relaxed dog with a loose, wiggly posture, conveying a friendly and peaceful greeting: “Hello, I come in peace.”
Ensuring you Know Everything there is to know about Dog Body Language
Dog body language signals don’t function in isolation; they work together as a comprehensive communication package. To accurately interpret what your dog is expressing, consider the full range of signals they are using, from tail position to eye shape.
Your dog is constantly communicating with you. By learning to understand their signals, you can build a deeper bond of trust and respect. This enhanced insight into your dog’s emotional state will also enable you to anticipate their behaviour and address potential issues before they arise.