Fall colors and crisp air brings warmth despite cooler temperatures, inviting both us and our canine companions to embrace the outdoors. Yet, amidst the crunching leaves, hot pumpkin spice lattes, and spooky décor, it's easy to overlook some of the subtle cues our dogs use to communicate their feelings. As this fall season moves forward, take yourself ‘back to school’ to learn a second language: Dog!
In order to be your dog’s best advocate, we invite you to learn more about their body language.
Body Language Dictionary
The Tale-Tell Tail:
A raised, enthusiastic wag that wiggles the whole body speaks volumes of pure joy. Not all wags are created equally though! Stiff high tails that are wagging fast and rigidly could indicate a warning, called ‘flagging.’ Always look at the whole dog to see if they’re soft in body or if they appear stiff in posture. A wagging tail is not always happy.
A low, tucked, or hesitant wag might indicate uncertainty, especially in new surroundings or with unfamiliar people or other animals.
A tail tucked tightly signals potential fear or stress. It's your cue then to step in and offer comfort or a change of scenery. Even if the tip of the tail is wagging, the tail being tucked is a potential sign of discomfort.
Ear-resistible Expressions:
Relaxed, forward-facing ears generally reflect a content dog.
Anxiety, fear, or worry are likely at play when you see ears tightly pinned back against the head. Give them space and gentle reassurance at this time. Contrary to old beliefs, you actually cannot reinforce an emotion like fear, it’s absolutely okay to comfort nervous dogs!
Perky, upright ears signal alertness and focus. Your dog may be tuned in and ready for action. Always look at the whole body, seeing if the body is relaxed or if there is stiffness.
Eyes are the Windows to the Soul:
Soft, relaxed eyes with gently blinking lids often signify trust and contentment. Chances are your pup is feeling okay!
A hard, unwavering stare can be a sign of uncertainty or even aggression. Avoid eye contact if hard stares occur.
The "whale eye" – whites of the eyes showing – is a plea for space. Your dog is feeling uneasy and absolutely needs a break. This can be coupled with other distance increasing behaviors.
Mouth Matters:
Slightly open or relaxed with a relaxed jaw could mean contentment and that the dog feels okay.
Panting heavily, with tight commissures often indicates stress – while some dogs appear to be ‘smiling’ when in this state, they are usually not entirely happy and the tight face is evident of such. This is often mistaken for a happy dog.
Lip licking, yawning, or a tightly closed mouth can all indicate stress, anxiety and fear. However, the body processes good stress and bad stress physiologically the same – so always look at context, the situation, and the whole body.
Showing teeth or snarling is often a warning to back away and that the dog is requesting space. Some dogs do smile or have a ‘submissive grin’ but this expression is different. Again, look at the rest of the dog to see how to decipher this expression.
The Complete Picture:
Consider the entire body, not just isolated signals. Does the body look rigid and uneasy? Are they lifting a paw intermittently, or ducking or crouching, are their feet sweating? (yes, dogs paws sweat when they are nervous!) – these are all signs of stress and potential fear and looking to increase distance.
The hair on the back will stand up when a dog is aroused – this is simply a sign of an excited dog. Depending on the individual dog, this can look different for each and can indicate a state of arousal where the dog could be okay, or they could also go over threshold and react poorly.
Interpret body language within a specific situation – a yawn when going to the park may be vastly different than a yawn when waiting in a vet’s office. While both are yawns and are generally calming signals due to stress, the context matters greatly.
Always respect your dog’s boundaries. If your dog communicates discomfort, provide space and reassurance – never force an interaction. Please comfort your dog when they need a little extra help.
Growls matter – remember to never punish a growl. It is a warning for us and should be heeded appropriately. If you are struggling with your dog, please contact a qualified behavior professional to help you through it. We are here for you!
Mastering the art of reading your dog's body language deepens your bond and creates a more harmonious relationship. By tuning in to your dog's requests, you'll unlock a deeper understanding of their needs and emotions. This fall, let's celebrate the season with our canine companions, ensuring they feel safe, loved, and heard every step of the way.
Comments