Canine body language is a nuanced and complex vocabulary of emotion and intention. So, what is your pup parlaying about their internal thoughts? This OC Working Dogs guide explains canine body language basics.
Zoom out: Learning to see your dog’s big picture
Dogs use their entire bodies, from nose to tail, to convey their thoughts and emotions. And, although we divide your dog’s gestures and actions into separate body areas for ease of explanation, always view them as a whole when interpreting your dog’s nonverbal messages.
If you’re feeling extra nerdy, video your dog interacting with their canine friends or family members and then watch them in slow motion. You’ll be surprised how many subtle cues you missed in real time!
Read my muzzle: Your dog’s head and facial features
Like humans, dogs use a surprising array of facial expressions that allow us to reliably predict their moods and emotions. Some studies show dogs’ facial features have evolved to improve their people communication and connection skills. For example, dogs have significantly more facial fast-twitch muscle fibers, including around the eyes, than wolves, which lends dogs more refined, heart-melting expressions.
Common head and face nonverbal cues include:
- Eyes — Dogs with narrowed eyes and a hard stare can indicate a perceived threat, but can be a pleasure sign if the stare is accompanied by a wrinkled brow and friendly body language. If the dog displays whale eye (i.e., visible white and a dilated pupil), they may be nervous or averting their eyes to avoid conflict.
- Ears — Erect forward-facing ears suggest an alert and engaged dog, while folded or pinned ears suggest fear or anger. Rapidly moving ears may suggest conflict.
- Head position — A tall or upright head carriage may display dominance or authority, while a lowered head position signals subordinance or fear.
- Mouth — Happy dogs have relaxed muzzles and possibly a lolling tongue. Tight lips (i.e., commissures) suggest nervousness or an impending bite. Although bared teeth are regarded as a classic aggression sign, some friendly dogs will display their teeth in a “smile” to convey happiness or a non-threatening intent.
Check out my bod: Your dog’s posture
Dogs change their body position and posture, depending on their message and their audience. These changes may include:
- Size — Threatened dogs may try to make themselves larger by standing erect or they may lie down, crouch, or roll over, and cower in submission. Friendly dogs may go lower to invite smaller dogs or puppies to play.
- Body shape — Friendly or submissive dogs may bend themselves into a soft “C” shape to greet other dogs or people, while dominant or nervous dogs may stand straight and rigid with their head over another dog’s neck.
- Muscle tension — Muscle tension is a universal stress and relaxation indicator. Nervous or threatened dogs will look extremely tense, while happy dogs look loose, relaxed, and gangly when they move.
Watch me walk: Your dog’s speed and direction
Dog body language isn’t limited to still poses and shapes. Movement, speed, and direction can speak volumes about your dog’s emotions and their intent.
- Slow controlled movement — In some contexts, moving in slow motion and stalking can suggest the intent to attack. However, if the dog is playing, these behaviors may precede a friendly pounce.
- Fast and frantic movement — Anxious or excited dogs may move about wildly to decrease their stress and nervous energy.
- Angled or curved approach — Friendly dogs approach and greet one another from the side, moving at an angle or along a curve, rather than head-on.
- Direct approach — Dogs may directly approach a familiar human friend or family member, but if they bark or display other assertive or aggressive signs, a straight-line path may be their way of saying “Back off!”
Wag it like you stole it: Your dog’s tail
Wagging tails are mistakenly always attributed to happy dogs, but our canine friends’ tails move in many different ways and for different reasons. Always consider the dog’s tail action in relation to the rest of their body.
- Slow, measured wagging — Tails that wag slowly and stiffly can signal impending aggression or that the dog is highly emotional during play.
- Fast wagging — Anxious or overexcited dogs may wag their tail or entire hind end at top speed.
- Gentle wagging — Happy, friendly, and content dogs carry their tails at a natural angle (e.g., in line with or slightly below the back) and wag with gentle rhythm.
- Tucked tail — Dogs who tuck their tail between their legs or against their anus are fearful or uneasy.
That’s odd: Displacement behaviors in dogs
Sometimes, dogs will exhibit seemingly random and out-of-context behaviors that leave observers scratching their heads. These displacement behaviors (i.e., calming signals), which may be communicating conflict or reassuring another dog, include:
- Yawning
- Scratching
- Shaking as if wet
- Sniffing
- Looking away or disengaging in activity
Dogs in training at OC Working Dogs may use displacement behaviors when they don’t understand the instruction or task. The unusual gestures and actions provide vital information that the dog needs additional support or clarity, and can re-shape future lessons and training.
Our canine companions may not be able to speak English, but they can communicate loudly and consistently with their nonverbal body language. If you need help decoding your dog’s messages, contact OC Working Dogs.
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