Dog Body Language
Dogs communicate primarily through body language. They are pros at reading us, because it was their key to survival as they evolved alongside humans. Their body language is rich and nuanced, and there is much that they try to tell us. We only need to learn to listen!
Understanding dog body language is key to building a connection with our dogs and understanding their needs. This is the single biggest gift we can give our dogs, and often the area we most lack fluency.
Seeing body language is the best way to learn.
- Dog Body Language 101 (Fear Free Happy Homes)
- Dog Body Language - What your dog is desperately trying to tell you! www.thefamilydog.com
- Dog Body Language: Wagging Tails (Instinct Dog Behavior & Training)
- My dog still doesn't trust me! (Dogkind)
- Body Language Gallery (ispeakdog.org)
- Doggie Language: A Dog Lover's Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend by Lili Chin
To learn more, and test your skills: Let's Speak Dog (ispeakdog.org)
Considerations
Look at the whole body - and the context. Look at the entire body rather than focusing on a single part. Is there tension or tightness? Softness in expression, looseness in body? What’s going on in the environment around him?
- A loud growl from a dog with a wiggly, relaxed body (“let’s play!”) is entirely different from a growl from a dog who is tense or still, (“I’m uncomfortable!”).
- Big eyes with the whites showing (“whale eye”) can be a sign of stress, but it can also appear during play. It may also be the normal conformation of the dog.
- Tails are possibly the worst indicator of a dog’s mood or intention, and are often misinterpreted. They must be assessed in context with the entire body, not as a stand-alone. “But her tail was wagging…” is often heard immediately after a bite, when the dog was desperately trying to communicate unease or fear.
- Conformation, or the way the dog is built, may cloud your observations until you know the dog better. A high, curled tail can signal over-arousal, but some dogs naturally carry their tails that way. A stiff body often signals alertness or fear, but muscular dogs may appear stressed when they’re actually very relaxed.
Be aware of signals that can be misinterpreted, and remember that context matters!
- Growling - During joyful play, or to issue a warning?
- Barking - Excitement, a warning, or distance-increasing when uncomfortable?
- Panting - Just need to cool down, or stressed?
- Wagging tail - Happy and eager, or stressed/fearful/over-aroused?
- Calm - Relaxed or shut down/shy/avoiding?
- Exposed belly - “Please rub me there” vs. “don’t hurt me”.
- Lip-licking - Is there a treat nearby, or is he anxious?
- Sniffing the ground - Investigating a scent vs. a bit overwhelmed and needing a pause in the action vs an appeasement behavior around another dog.
- “Grinning” in the Christmas photo with a kid - often not a happy smile; more likely a sign of stress.
- “Looking Guilty” - usually feeling stress due to a human's behavior and/or mood, rather than remorse or guilt.
Expect differences in individual dogs. Dogs may have individual characteristics that can make them harder to read.
Body shape differences (collie muzzle vs. a pug’s), physical limitations (arthritis, hip dysplasia) and simply the way that the dog expresses himself as an individual can complicate the picture. For example, the dark coloring of black dogs hides detail in their facial expressions and can make them harder to read.
Different dogs, particularly mixed breeds, have differing conformations, and some aspects can be puzzling. Shaggy dogs may have hair that hides their features. Small dogs can be more difficult because the size of their expressions is on a much smaller scale and we’re often looking down on them, instead of at a level that’s easier to see their faces. Dogs with docked or missing tails present a different puzzle, but looking at tension or looseness of their hind ends can give us clues about their mood.
Other dogs can help interpret. A dog with good social skills can help you read the other dog.
An example: One of my foster dogs started to growl when she was on a dog bed and my dog would walk past her. My dog’s response was to calmly walk by without concern. Foster dog was saying, “I really like this new thing of sleeping on a comfy dog bed. Please don’t make me move.” My dog’s response said, “That’s fine. I have my own bed. I don’t need yours.” Her response was not, “OMG! You just growled at me. How dare you!” (Foster dog stopped growling after a little more time and trust.)
Neutral, Relaxed & Happy
Dogs who are relaxed and happy are soft, loose and wiggly.
Relaxed
- Entire body, face and eyes have softness and lack of tension
- Ears neutral or forward
- Tail held in natural position, often low and relaxed, swishing softly
- Greeting stretch (bow)
Happy
- Loose and wiggly movement, especially butt and tail
- Helicopter-tail wags
- Play bows
- Squinty eyes
- “Talking” - soft woofs, “arooo!”, moans, etc.
- Some dogs have a social smile; nose-wrinkled grin – not a stressed grimace
Alert & Relaxed
- Softness in body and facial features
- Tail raised
- Ears more forward or up
- May stand slightly forward
- Eyes focused but soft
Stress & Fear
Stress and fear generally present as tightness or tension versus soft, loose and wiggly. Anxious dogs will ask for space by looking away, turning away or moving away. Note that some signals may be subtle and confusing.
It is very rare for a dog to bite without warning. If the dog is giving a warning, he already feels threatened or anxious. Please learn what those warnings are and respect them. Even better; avoid situations that cause the dog to be stressed enough to have to give a warning. More: Body Language FAS PDF
The Four F’s describe how dogs react when they are afraid.
How Dogs React When Scared: A Dog’s 4 Fear Responses | Pupford
Look for and respect the early warnings and give the dog what he is asking for - distance.
Fret or Fidget
- Tail wagging in a tight, stiff or rapid way, or only the tip wagging
- Tail held high when that’s not his normal posture
- Sniffing the ground suddenly or excessively
- Lip licking - in a forceful way - tongue darts in and out, not “mmm…good chicken”
- Licking paws or genitals, checking out genitals repeatedly
- Yawning when not tired
- Shaking off, as if to shake off water
- Hackles raised
- Slowed movements
- Facial and ear tension
Flight
- Avoiding direct eye contact, head turning away, looking away
- Submissive rolling (showing the belly) - different than in a happy “come hither” – body will be tense/stiff rather than loose and wiggly
- Hiding, making body small
- Shifting body weight back
- Retreating
Freeze
- Stillness with tension in the body
- Shut down or frozen
- Tense face, furrowed brow
- Ears pinned back
- Tight closed mouth
- Eyes wide, whale eye (lots of white showing)
- Tail tucked, back legs tucked
Fight
- May struggle
- Hard stare
- Ears rotate forward
- Teeth bared, hackles raised
- Growling or snarling
- Snapping or biting
Additional Resources
Video: How to Greet a Dog Safely: Do's and Don'ts (Instinct Dog Behavior & Training)
Calm Canine Academy Body Language Guide: Canine Body Language
Boning Up on Canine Communication - Rover-Time (Kiki Yablon)
Does He Really Want A Belly Rub? Understanding Dog Appeasement Behaviors (Rescued by Training - Kate LaSala)
Book: On Talking Terms With Dogs by Turid Rugas
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