Your Dog's Body Language - All You Need to Know

When looking at your dog's body language, it is important to understand that similar signals can have different meanings, even when used by the same dog.

Breed and individual differences

Be aware of what is normal for a breed or individual dog. For example, terrier is likely to carry his tail high when relaxed, whereas most whippets will have a lower tail carriage. A cocker spaniel cannot signal with his ears like a German Shepherd Dog and an individual dog may have a tendency to put his hackles up as soon as he is aroused. This may be because of excitement or aggression.

Look at your dog

Watch your own dog and dogs in general and learn from them. They can teach you more than any book.

Overall picture

Always look at the overall picture, rather than concentrating on one aspect. Compare human behaviour a smile can mean friendliness or anticipation, embarrassment or lack of interest. Therefore, it is important to see the whole picture in context.

Body shape

As a general rule, a relaxed dog will look like one. A dog who is threatening or intimidating will attempt to look larger and will stand more upright, with his head and tail up. Hackles may be raised. A frightened dog will attempt to look smaller, by cowering, head and tail down, crouching.

Ears

A relaxed dog will have his ears in a neutral position. An alert dog will prick his ears or move them in order to detect every sound. A frightened dog will put his ears back. A very unhappy dog will pin his ears back so that they are flat to his head.

Eyes

Eye contact is very important. It can be friendly or unfriendly, a challenge or a sign of aggression, or a loving way of communicating. A frightened dog may feel the need to stare at the object of his fear, whereas a submissive dog is likely to look away. A dog who is challenging will probably stare directly whereas an apprehensive dog may give a glare, followed by a growl if the threat continues.

A happy, relaxed dog will stare in a friendly way. A dog who is attempting to get attention from people can stare for a long time until they take notice of him. Direct eye contact tends to show that the dog is concentrating on a particular object, person or dog.

Lips And Mouth

Again a happy dog will be relaxed around his mouth whereas a tense dog will tense his lips. After a growl, may dogs will pull back their lips in a snarl, showing their teeth.

Tail

A tail is extremely important to a dog and also for the owner as it is an excellent indictor of what kind of mood the dog is in and how he needs to be treated. The higher the tail the more aroused the dog is. A relaxed dog will hold his tail in a neutral position and an anxious dog will lower his tail.