Do you ever wish to have a heart-to-heart chat with your dog? While they may not speak our language, dogs are amazing at communicating—you just need to know what to look for! Canines’ body language tells us so much about their feelings, and understanding those signals can help you take better care of them and strengthen your bond. Let’s take a closer look at what your pup’s posture, facial expressions, and tail wags are really saying!
Factors that Influence Fido’s Body Language
When using this guide to read your pup’s body language, it’s important to remember that these tips aren’t one size fits all. First, consider the context; where and when Fido displays a behavior matters. For instance, their relaxed body language may look different at home compared to a public area like a park. Additionally, each dog breed has unique personality traits that may influence their body language. Although a dog’s breed doesn’t completely determine their behavior traits, it may influence them; for example, herding breeds tend to be more alert, while toy breeds are often relaxed.
Just like humans, each dog has their own unique personality. While some pups are shy and anxious by nature, others are naturally outgoing and confident. These personality traits influence their behavior and will impact what their body language looks like. Lastly, your furry friend’s body language may change as they age. While puppies tend to be playful bundles of energy, adult and senior dogs are typically calmer. Because of this, you may notice your pup behaving differently depending on their current stage of development.
Relaxed Dog Body Language
A relaxed dog is a comfortable and content one. When your furry friend is in a relaxed state, you’ll often notice that their eyes look droopy and their body is free of any tension. Their forehead will be wrinkle-free, and their mouth will be closed, with the exception of a pup who is panting during play. A relaxed dog’s ears remain in their natural position, versus being flat against their head. Floppy ears will hang forward, and pointy ears will stand upright. A relaxed dog may also wag their tail softly in a wide, sweeping motion.
Happy Body Language
The body language of a happy pup is similar to that of a relaxed one, just a bit more energetic. Your furry friend may show signs that they’re relaxed, but you’ll probably see that their tail is wagging more and their ears are more perked up. One of the ultimate signs that your furry friend is feeling happy is that they’re in the mood to play. If your dog is feeling playful, you’ll likely see them lower the front half of their body while raising their bottom in the air. This is called a “play bow“, and it’s often followed by a high-pitched woof or growl of excitement.
Stressed or Uncomfortable Body Language
Even the most content dogs experience stress from time to time, so recognizing their signs of discomfort is essential to helping them calm down. Anxious pups often display behavior that’s similar to relaxed dogs, which can make it difficult to distinguish between the two. The clearest indicator that Fido is stressed is that they’re displaying calming signals, which are behaviors intended to soothe themselves or defuse tension in their environment.
Common calming signals include:
- Looking away or turning their head
- Moving in a curved manner or unusually slowly
- Yawning (and not the tired kind!)
- Lip-licking or lip-smacking
- Sniffing the ground
- Freezing in place
- Raising one paw or scratching
- Shaking off as if they just had a bath
Aggressive Canine Body Language
When dogs feel aggressive, their posture becomes stiff and rigid, and their weight often shifts forward as if ready to spring into action. You might notice their fur standing on end along their shoulders and tail, which is a phenomenon called piloerection. An aggressive dog will lock their gaze onto the target with an intense, unblinking stare, often accompanied by wrinkles on their forehead. Their mouth may tighten, sometimes exposing teeth with a raised lip.
It’s also important to note that there are multiple forms of canine aggression, which result in different body language. A fearful aggressive dog typically pins their ears back and keeps their tail low or tucked, while a confident aggressive dog pushes their ears forward and holds their tail high and stiff.
Fearful Body Language
A scared dog’s posture becomes stiff and low, sometimes with their back curved and head lowered close to the ground. You might notice their ears pinned back against their head as well. Fearful dogs often show the whites of their eyes, referred to as “whale eyes,” as they glance sideways at the stressor. Their mouth may stay tightly closed, or they could start panting without any obvious physical exertion.
A fearful dog’s tail is usually tucked tightly against their belly, and they may lean their weight backward, trying to distance themselves from whatever is making them uncomfortable. In some cases, you might even notice increased shedding when they’re feeling particularly nervous.
The better you get at understanding your dog’s body language, the more connected you’ll feel, and the happier your pup will be. So take the time to watch, learn, and listen to what your furry friend is telling you.