Dogs are excellent communicators. They don’t speak English, but they are very expressive in spoken and body languages. Not only that, they are masters at understanding us and reading our signals. Does the sound of car keys send your inquisitive canine into a tailspin? How about the jingle of a leash? The creak of a kitchen cabinet?
In my work as a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant it’s important to teach humans how to interpret doggie speak and understand canine behaviors (subtle and not so subtle). Receiving a dog’s message as it was intended strengthens the bond between canine and human and minimizes potential or imminent behavior.
Let’s take a look at a dog’s body language. Because breed characteristics sometimes throws a wrench into communication, the following is a very general approach. Body language should be read as a whole not as isolated body parts.
First, though, I want to mention that a wagging tail necessarily doesn’t indicate a happy dog (no matter who taught us that as children). Also, please remember if body languages shifts back and forth, it could indicate an aggressive choice – lunging, nipping, biting – may be coming soon.
Six ways dogs use their bodies to tell humans how they are feeling and what they are thinking
- Body Posture: A dog standing at full height with head raised is confident and relaxed. If shoulders are lowered and hindquarters lifted, consider that an invitation to play. A lowered rear end and raised hackles indicate submission, fear, or appeasement.
- Fur: When a dog’s fur is pinned back it indicates submission, deference, or fear. Fur that is back and relaxed indicates a calm and friendly dog. Fur that is forward shows alertness, excitement, and arousal of playfulness or aggression.
- Hair: Raised hair, also known as piloerection or raised hackles, says, “I’m aroused.” Arousal can mean excited and playful, aggression, fear, or uncertainty.
- Tail: A tail held high with some wagging shows tension or arousal, and that could be playfulness or aggressiveness. A medium-high tail with a fast wag means submission, happy, friendly, or appeasing. A medium-high to low tail with a gentle wag says, “I’m relaxed and friendly.” A tail tucked under, or the tail between the legs, means deference, submission, or fear.
- Eyes: Eyes that are wide open signal confidence and assertiveness. Lack of eye contact or averting eyes can mean submission, appeasement, fear, or deference. Dogs may turn their entire head, too. Closing their eyes or squinting also means submission and appeasement, but it can also serve as an enthusiastic greeting. Direct eye contact that is not staring indicates friendliness and calm. A hard stare says, “I’m excited, ready to play or be aggressive, and alert.”
- Mouth: Puckered lips equals a snarl; consider that a threat or a dog asserting itself. Yawning or repeated licking of lips can be saying, “I’m stressed out, scared, or tired. Or all three.” Lips that are pulled back indicate submission, appeasement, or fear. Sometimes the lips can be pulled back to look like a smile, which can be a sign of submission or aggression. (Good example of why we need to read a dog’s body as a whole rather than a single body part.)
Just as human communication is filled with nuances and variations, so is the inquisitive canine’s. The best way to learn a language is through practice. While spending time with your dog, observe its body language. The more you do this, the better you’ll be at picking up all the messages and signals it is trying to send you.