Canine Body Language: Do You Know What Your Dog Is Saying?
Do you ever wonder what your dog is trying to tell you? Trying to tell other dogs or animals? Body language is one way dogs communicate with us since they can’t talk like people. Knowing what your dog is “saying” through his or her movements can help you figure out if he is happy, sad, stressed, or wanting to play. Canine body language is important to learn and may help you resolve fearful situations. Here are some of the basics of body language.
What Is Canine Body Language?
Language is a form of communicating one’s wants or needs to someone else. We most often think of language as talking to each other, but how our body moves is important too. Canine body language uses the movements of the body to communicate. Dogs are quite expressive with their bodies. The various movements, barks, tail wags, and hops can all indicate how your dog is feeling in the moment.
Positive Signs
There are many positive signs that indicate your dog is happy or feeling playful. These include:
- Loose, wiggly body
- Going into a “play” bow (bottom in the air, front end down)
- High-pitched, excited barking
- Open, loose mouth
- Ears or tail in neutral/forward position (this indicates that your dog is alert)
- Attempting to play with your or other dogs
Negative Signs
There are also some negative signs that may indicate your dog is stressed or ready to start a fight. These include:
- Stiff, tense body.
- Hackling (hair on the back of the neck raising)
- Low, stiff tail
- Ears pinned forward at subject, or back against the head
- Low, deep growling
- Showing whites of eyes
- Showing teeth
- A C-shaped mouth showing the molars may be more stress/defensive
- Showing the canines and front teeth while snarling may be more offensive
- Attempting to get away from the situation
When to Intervene
If you can tell what your dog is saying, it can help you intervene in a situation. This is important for stopping fights or removing your dog from a stressor. It is also important for learning when your dog is playing or enjoying himself. If you notice your dog seems to be showing signs of stress or negative body language, stopping whatever you and your dog is doing is best. You can then move away from the situation, take a break and rest, and relax until your dog has calmed down. Noticing when things are going south can help you intervene and end on a more positive note instead of resulting in a fight or negative experience.
When to Talk to Your Trainer
If you’re having trouble decoding what your dog is saying, or he doesn’t seem to communicate well, a trainer can help. Your trainer can help you identify your dog’s body language and point out when he seems happy or agitated. Also, if your dog seems agitated often or stressed, a trainer can also help. They can work with you to turn those negative experiences into positive ones, reducing your dog’s stress.
Body language is important to know, and it will help you gain a better understanding of your dog’s behavior. Your dog may just be telling you how much he enjoys being with you!
Want to know more?
Check out these great visual body language charts from Dr. Sophia Yin.
All images provided by Creative Commons/Pixabay