Canine Body Language 101: Decode Signs of Dog Body Language

What comes to mind when you hear “dog body language”? We bet you imagine a happy dog’s tail wagging or a guilty look on their face. However, reading canine body language has much more to offer: body posture, panting, dog ear position, and various facial expressions can tell you a lot about their emotional state at any given moment. 

Let’s examine the most common signs of dog body language and learn how to understand the message your dog is trying to send you.

Reading Canine Body Language Signs

The key to decoding canine body signs effectively is carefully observing what your pet communicates nonverbally. You have to look at the bigger picture, interpret the whole body posture, vocalization, and individual body part movements, and consider the context of the situation. Only through such a holistic approach can you understand the true intention behind your pet’s behavior.

However, it’s still helpful to know what signs you must pay attention to and what information about your pooch's feelings they may convey.

Gaze

It’s said that the eyes are the mirror of the soul. Though we can’t understand what’s on your pet’s mind by only looking at their eyes, they can still provide valuable insight into their current emotional state.

Ear position

Your ability to read dog body language and emotions by checking the position of their ears largely depends on your pet’s breed and ear type. If your pet has erect ears, doing it is relatively simple.

Tail movements

Tail position and movement patterns can tell a whole story about your companion’s feelings and worries in a specific situation. To decode a dog’s tail language correctly, you should pay attention to the position of its base and how it moves. Excited canines typically hold their tails up and rapidly move them from side to side, while tucking the tail between the rear legs indicates fear.

Mouth position

Now, let's discuss how to read dog body language by observing their mouth and breathing patterns. Relaxed canines often have an open mouth and soft facial expressions. They may also pant to cool themselves down. 

Fearful and stressed canines often keep their mouths closed. They can also present a so-called “long-lip smile” by pulling their lips to the corners. Rapid panting is another common sign of stress. 

Overall body posture

Understanding the hidden message behind canine posture is helpful when socializing with other dogs. For example, you can see that your pooch is playful because they have loose and wiggly body movements. If your companion is stiff during the interaction and keeps moving in the opposite direction, they’re probably not interested in play.

How to Understand Dog Body Language and Emotions

Let’s explore canine body language basics and discuss some emotional states pet owners can differentiate using nonverbal cues.

Stressed dog body language

It’s possible to tell whether your dog is stressed or nervous by looking only at their behavior. When distressed, canines try to look away and avoid direct eye contact with the trigger. They may also start yawning or self-grooming excessively, or shaking their bodies as they do when their coat is wet. 

However, displacement behaviors that aim to self-regulate a canine are the most telling signs of stress.

When canines attempt to self-calm, they:

Bored dog body language

Like humans, canines are prone to boredom. Lack of mental stimulation is often at the core of disruptive behaviors. That’s why it’s vital to recognize boredom and offer your canine companion an appropriate alternative.

Signs of boredom in canines are:

• Excessive chewing
• Digging and scratching the furniture
• Barking or whining
• Obsessive spinning and tail chasing
• Pacing around the house

Aggressive dog body language

Numerous factors can cause canines to act aggressively. Regardless of the cause, aggression manifests itself through a set of standard signs. Mostly, a dog’s posture gets stiff, the fur on their back raises, and the body gets into a stiff-legged “ready” stance.

Aggressive canines usually demonstrate:

Dominant dog body language

A dominant canine displays strong and positive body language. They appear slightly rigid, keeping their tails up and even growling softly. Such behavior is typical for dogs encountering visitors in their territory.

Appeasement dog body language

Appeasement body language signifies submissive behavior, often an attempt to appear less threatening. Canines that demonstrate appeasement can lower their bodies or expose their bellies. 

Appeasement signs include:

• Pinned back ears
• Squinting eyes
• Avoiding eye contact
• “Appasement grin” through revealing front teeth
• Frequent muzzle licking
• Tucked tail or slow, tight wag

Playful dog body language

Knowing when your dog is playful is essential for initiating playtime, especially when you want to socialize your pet with other canines.

Body language of dog in pain

When in pain, canines exhibit specific changes in behavior. Some symptoms are more prominent than others, but an experienced owner can often tell when their pet requires medical attention by closely observing their behavior.

A dog communicates physical discomfort and pain when they:

• Arch back
• Avoid being touched
• Shake or tremble
• Pant excessively
• Whimper, cry, or howl
• Hold the head below the shoulders

Dog’s relaxed body language

Relaxed canines typically present soft, non-rigid postures. Their facial expressions are calm, and their eyes are soft. You can easily tell from their demeanour that they’re carefree and relaxed.

Scared dog body language

Some dogs are naturally predisposed to fearful reactions. For others, these results stem from a traumatic past event or a specific stimulus. However, for a pet owner, it’s essential to learn a fearful dog’s behavior patterns to help them overcome the fear. 

Here are some of the signs of fear in canines:

• Slight or major cowering
• Licking lips
• Panting
• Moving the ears to the side
• Looking in many directions
• Frequent yawning
• Pacing
• Moving slowly

Wrap Up

Deciphering dog body language is essential for improving canine communication with your pet and adequately responding to their needs. To interpret these individual signs correctly, you must always consider the overall posture and the circumstances when the specific behavior appears. Learning the fundamentals of canine body language will provide you with the necessary skills to grow your human-dog bond and build a strong foundation for a harmonious relationship.