A Guide To Canine Communication & Body Language

Dogs are able to communicate with each other irrespective of breed and their country of origin. For example, a collie from Wales will have no problem conversing with a poodle from France. Did you ever wonder how that’s possible? The answer is simple: Dogs are equipped with this universal canine body language that scientists and researchers have been studying for years.  When dogs communicate, they do so, primarily, to reduce or resolve conflict. The rich visual language they use, therefore, is predominantly aimed at communicating their intentions to one another.

But here is the thing: Dogs do the same with us humans. We just don’t know what to make of the signals they send our way because we don’t understand canine language. Sure we all know that when a dog starts growling, that’s not a good sign but canine language encompasses so much more than growls, barks and snaps. Dogs also do all sorts of things with their eyes, mouth, ears and tail. They also do the whole body shake-off and the downward dog looking stretch among other things. Understanding what a dog is trying to convey can go a long way in improving how dog owners communicate with their canine companions.

So let’s dig into the basics of canine body language. Hopefully this will help you become a better listener to your dog and a better communicator as well. If you understand what your flurry companion is trying to tell you, you will be able to reduce any stress or anxiety in their lives and help their seamless integration into your family.

Some things your dog may be telling you

1. “I’m relaxed”

When a dog is relaxed and reasonably content, it has a natural body posture and looks neither bigger nor smaller than its actual physique. The ears are up, head high and mouth slightly open with the tongue exposed. The tail is down and may move from side to side or in a circular motion.

2. “I’m alert”

 When a canine detects something of interest or is threatened by something unknown, it stands upright, looking intense and focused. The ears are up and slanted forward, eyes wide, mouth closed and the overall body posture shows a slight forward lean, as the animal stands tall on all fours. The tail rises to a horizontal position.

3. “I’m offensively aggressive”

A dog that’s angry and confident enough to be on the attack shows his social dominance by looking large and aggressive. The ears are angled forward, the nose is wrinkled, the lips are curled, the teeth are visible and the animal exhibits an overall stiff-legged stance leaning slightly forward. The tail is raised beyond the horizontal and bristled.

4. “I’m defensively aggressive”

 In contrast, a dog that’s feeling defensively aggressive will adopt a combination of fearful and offensive body language. Typically, the dog will lower his stance, the ears are pulled back, the lips are slightly curled but teeth are barely visible and the tail is tucked. The animal is frightened but will attack if pressed. The hackles are raised.

5. “I’m distressed”

A dog that’s distressed does its best to look small. Typical signs of this state include a lowered and hunched body posture, ears that are pulled back, rapid panting, exaggerated yawning, sweating through the foot pads and a tucked tail with little or no movement.

6. “I’m beat”

A dog in complete submission conveys the message that he accepts his lower status by groveling.  It will do so by rolling onto its back, head turned to avoid direct eye contact. The tail is tucked, ears flat and back and the eyes partly closed.

7. “I’m playful”

Last but not least, anyone who owns a dog will know the typical signs of playfulness. Ears up, tail up, mouth open with the tongue exposed, front end lowered by bent forepaws and body movements that are bouncy and jerky. That’s a clear invitation to play!

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