How to Read Dog Body Language: The Basics with Picture Examples | Pupford

“If only my dog could talk!” I’m sure every pup parent has said that at least once. Luckily, learning how to read dog body language is like learning your dog's unspoken words!

Whether you’re trying to get to know your new dog’s personality after bringing them home, or just trying to figure out what your dog means when they do that silly thing they do, it would be great if our dogs could talk to us, right?

Well, what if I told you they can -- it’s just not with spoken words.

Just like people, dogs use body language to convey their feelings and needs. But since it’s one of their main forms of communication (alongside barking), learning what your dog’s body language means is crucial for being able to interact with them.

Today we’re going to break down dog body language for you so you can better communicate with your pup.

The key takeaways:

• Dogs communicate via facial expressions, posture, and other body parts
• Learning your dog’s body language will help you communicate with them
• Understanding how your dog communicates with you lets you be a better dog parent!

While this is no anatomy lesson by any means, let’s take a look at some key body parts that your dog uses to communicate.

Related Reading: The Canine Ladder of Aggression

Take this quiz to see what you know about dog body language!

THE BASICS OF READING DOG BODY LANGUAGE

Before any conversation about dog body language, it's important to emphasize reading the "whole" dog. If you only look at their ears and not their tail, you may miss the bigger context of how they're feeling and what is being communicated.

It's vital to capture your dog's entire body AND the context of the situation.

A yawn first thing in the morning has a much different meaning than a yawn when meeting a new pup.

Let's dive into it. 👇

🐶 Dive deep into all things "dog speak" with our Dog Body Language Course. Get access here! 🐶

TAIL DOG BODY LANGUAGE

Tail movement is one of the most common non-verbal communication signals, but it can also be one of the most misunderstood.

Many people associate tail wagging with being happy or excited, but that’s not always true. While it’s true that tail wagging is a signal of being emotionally aroused, it doesn’t necessarily mean excitement. It could be frustration, fear, or other negative emotions.

Here’s how to interpret your dog’s tail wag:

• The speed of the wag. A long, slower, back-and-forth wag indicates excitement, while a faster twitch-like wag can indicate that your dog is on alert.
• The direction of the wag. According to a research study, dogs' tails tend to wag to the right when for positive reasons and left for negative ones.
• The position of the tail. The higher the tail, the more assertive or aggressive the dog is feeling. A low tail that hangs between the legs can signal fear. Neutral tail position is a sign of a relaxed, happy dog. Neutral may look different on different breeds, so be sure to take note of your dog’s tail position when you know they are relaxed.

Related Reading: Appeasement Behavior in Dogs

BACK DOG BODY LANGUAGE

Raised hackles (piloerection) -- when the hair on your dog’s back stands up -- can be a sign of emotional distress. Sometimes it signals intense sudden interest, but more often than not it’s a sign of stress.

If your dog’s hackles are raised when meeting a new person or dog, they may feel intimidated or unsure of who they are meeting.

When you don’t know what your dog is trying to communicate to you, you can potentially put them in harmful or stressful situations. Use our Dog Body Language Course to understand what your dog is trying to communicate with you.

Related Reading: Why Is My Dog Scared of Other Dogs?

POSTURE IN DOG BODY LANGUAGE

Overall posture can tell you a lot about your dog's mood and feelings. Here are some key postures to note:

• Cowering or crouching can be a sign of fear or stress
• Shifting weight forward can mean your dog is interested in something. However, if it’s paired with aggression signals like a twitching tail, it could mean your dog is on the offensive
• Rolling over and exposing their belly usually means a relaxed or happy dog
• Placing the chest on the ground and lifting their butt in the air means they want to initiate play with another dog or person.
• A raised paw can mean your dog is unsure or insecure. In pointing breeds, that can also mean nearby prey.

🐶 Dive deep into all things "dog speak" with our Dog Body Language Course. Get access here! 🐶

FACE & EARS DOG BODY LANGUAGE

Facial expressions in dogs are a little different than in humans. Dog body language is often the most clear in your dog's eyes, ears, and mouth. Let’s break down some of the main differences:

• Yawning. Dogs yawn when they are stressed, in an attempt to calm themselves. Some behaviorists even say you can “yawn” at your dog when they’re tense to help calm them down
• Pinned ears. Often, if your dog's ears are pinned back against their head it can be a sign of stress or concern
• Whale eye (or side eye). If a dog is giving side-eye or "whale eye" by not making eye contact and showing a lot of the whites of their eyes, it can be a sign of nerves and stress
• Lip-licking. If your dog has just finished eating, lip-licking is just a normal function. But if there’s no food involved, it may be a sign of anxiety
• Smiling. This is a tricky expression to figure out. If dogs are baring their teeth in a snarling manner, they’re showing aggression. But if it’s paired with a playful, relaxed posture, you can interpret it more as a smile that you would see from a human. The key is to get to know your dog and their accompanying postures and signals
• Panting. We know that dogs pant after exerting themselves, but they can also be panting as a sign of stress and anxiety when not associated with exercise. Learn all about why dogs pant here.

HOW TO READ YOUR DOG’S BODY LANGUAGE RECAP

Learning to read your dog’s body language takes time and practice like any other language. The best way to learn is by spending quality time with them.

Pay attention to their face, body, and posture during times like playtime, during feeding, when they’re tired, and when they’re interacting with other dogs. This will let you see their “baseline” body language as well as how it changes given the situation.

Related Reading: Karen Overall's Relaxation Protocol for Dogs

Plus, quality time with your pup is one of the best things you can do for your relationship!

Check out our Dog Body Language Course, to help you understand all of your dog's body language signals and know how to keep them happy and safe!

You’ll also get:

• Video breakdowns of the most common dog body language signals
• Pictures and videos depicting these common body language signs
• A PDF 'cheat sheet' to help you understand and remember all dog body language
• In-depth breakdowns of what you need to know about dog boy language

Does your dog have any unique or interesting body language signals? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

🐶 Dive deep into all things "dog speak" with our Dog Body Language Course. Get access here! 🐶