How To Understand Your Dog’s Body Language

Dogs communicate in many ways with each other, using verbal cues, body language and facial expressions. They also try to communicate with humans using these methods. Hopefully, these tips will help you read your dog’s expressions and postures to help you understand what he’s trying to tell you as well as what he’s feeling.

DogSpeak

Wolves howl to communicate with others in their pack.

The Howl

Howling is a type of communication that goes back to dogs’ ancestral connection with wolves.  Wolves use howling to communicate over long distances and that urge is embedded in your dog’s genetic code.  Dogs will sometimes howl along with sustained noises like sirens, or perhaps musical instruments or singing because these sounds mimic the sound of a classic howl. Howling is also an attempt to locate someone, perhaps you or the dog down the street. When you leave for work, it’s very possible your dog howls in an effort to get you back. When one dog starts howling in the neighborhood, usually many others join in – it’s a conference call of sorts!

The Growl
The growl means “back off.” You’ll see a dog growl when another dog gets interested in his food. Your dog may growl at a stranger he doesn’t like or he may growl at you when you try to take his toy away. It’s actually a very effective way of communicating and may mean that you can probably negotiate his toy away. When a dog is in an aggressive stance and silent, there is the most danger.

The Grunt or Mutter
This is usually indicates that your dog wants something. It’s an interesting sound because it’s almost manipulative – your dog knows if he barks, he’ll get into trouble but the more subtle “grunt” might get him wants he wants. It is also heard when dogs greet other dogs or humans.

The Whimper
Dogs whimper when they’re anxious or hurt. Sometimes they figure out that they get attention when they whimper and use this to their advantage.

The Whine
Whining indicates frustration. They are in a sense “complaining” about something, and it can also be an attention getting verbalization. It is important to remember that whining can indicate that your dog is in pain or feeling excessive anxiety.

The Bark
There are many different types of barks. A high pitched bark indicates excitement and happiness. A low pitched bark indicates aggression and is possibly a threat. Dogs bark to get attention, to respond to other dogs, to indicate that they’re happy, and to alert their human to a problem.  It’s possible that your dog may detect a “problem” that you can’t see or hear, such as a siren miles away or the neighbor’s cat hiding in the tree outside the window.

Dog Body Language/Facial “Expressions”

Relaxed

Stance – lying down or standing without any alertness

Tail – up and wagging or lying naturally

Ears – at their normal state, depending on the breed (A Terrier’s would be up but relaxed, a Hound’s would be down)

Eyes – normal pupil dilation, focused but not staring

Mouth – open and lightly panting or closed

Confident and Relaxed

Stance – erect

Tail – wagging slowly

Ears – pricked up but with a relaxed look

Eyes – small pupils

Mouth – closed or slight parting of lips

Fearful or Anxious

Stance – lowered

Tail – tucked under

Ears – down

Eyes – a wide-eyed look with the whites showing

Mouth – panting

Aggressive

Stance – rigid

Tail – straight up or out behind, very rigid

Ears – pricked up

Eyes – intense, focused stare

Mouth – lips are pulled back and some teeth show

Hackles – this is a line of hair that starts at the base of the neck and runs down the shoulders. It is raised if a dog is feeling aggressive and lowered if he is relaxed.

Fear-Aggressive

Stance – dog is pulled into himself

Tail – tucked completely under

Ears – lying down

Eyes – wide-eyed and trouble focusing

Mouth – lips pulled back slightly or heavy panting

Remember when Lassie sprinted off down the road to find help because Timmy had fallen into a well? (Some of us are old enough to remember that tv series!) Through her verbal cues and body language she was able to lead the rescuers back to the disaster scene. By understanding our dogs’ language, we can better communicate with them and avoid common misunderstandings.

What’s the matter, Lassie? What is it, girl?