Understanding Dog Body Language

1 Understanding Dog Body Language

Can you read your dog’s body language? If not, let’s learn the subtext dogs express through their bodies!

Common body language: Barking

If your dog barks continuously, don’t be annoyed, it’s expressing emotion and communicating.

Different barks have different meanings:

1. One or two sharp short barks equals greeting, usually when meeting pals on a walk, like humans saying hello!

2. Rising, increasingly high barks equals excitement, usually when going out to play.

3. Continuous rapid barking equals alarm: danger, trouble, intruder in our territory!

4. Continuous but slow barking equals something’s approaching, I’m ready to fight!

5. Long sustained barking equals the dog is confined and calling out.

6. Means lonely, doesn’t want to be alone, wants out, a way to act cute.

7. A series of screams equals severe fear and pain.

8. Soft, low bark equals threat: don’t come closer or I’ll bite!

9. Loud long whimper, like a sob, equals begging for sympathy, usually when hungry or wanting your food.

Common body language: Ears

A dog’s ears move with its mood.

1. Ears perk up to focus on sounds or when exploring interesting things.

2. Some tilt their head with ears up when puzzled, showing curiosity.

3. When threatened or provoked, ears stiffen suddenly, a sign of preparing to defend; comfort it by stroking its back.

4. When frightened, ear fur bristles forward, you can feel its panic.

5. When winning a playfight or being praised, ears swing forward, showing off.

6. Against a strong opponent, ears pin back equals submission.

7. When tense or threatened, ears pull back tight and the dog flees.

Common body language: Sniffing each other

A dog’s nose is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours.

On walks, dogs run to sniff each other’s rear.

A unique greeting, like our eye contact or handshake.

They read info from the anal glands’ scent.

Some tsundere dogs don’t want to reveal identity, spinning or running away from the nose.

Common body language: Pawing the ground

Usually to trim long nails.

But if water is there, it spreads the water to lie on and cool down.

Sometimes from boredom, to relieve stress.

Dogs have foot sweat glands; pawing leaves their scent.

This digging is another territory-marking method besides urine and feces.

Common body language: Scooting

Most common cause is blocked, inflamed anal glands.

Two anal glands secrete a lubricant during defecation.

When blocked, defecation is hard and painful, so the dog scoots.

Soft stools make it feel residue on the fur and itch, so it scoots.

Hard stools from bones cause anal inflammation and scooting.

Parasites from unsanitary food or water reach the anus and cause itching, so it scoots.

Common body language: Tongue out

Mainly from heat!

Dogs have no sweat glands; they pant to cool down. Heavy panting needs immediate water.

When extremely excited, tongue out means calm down!

Sleeping with tongue out equals a sweet dream, like of a big bone.

Common body language: Belly exposed

The belly is the most vulnerable spot; a dog shows it only when trusting you.

Gently rub its belly and it’s happy!

In playfights, belly exposure equals surrender.

Rolling on the ground with tongue out equals acting cute, begging to be petted.

Besides trust and cuteness, it’s also an apology signal!

Sensing anger, it plays dumb and shows its belly for forgiveness.

Common body language: Play bow

When the rear is up, front down, wagging, this means the dog wants something.

Usually asking to play; spend time with it or it may get depressed.

Play a bit; too little attention causes distance or depression.

Common body language: Tail wagging

The most common action; usually expresses happiness and excitement.

Fast wag with relaxed face equals very friendly greeting.

But context matters; when meeting another dog, the wag is slower.

If afraid, it tucks the tail low between legs and may attack, watch stray dogs.

A stray with tucked wag is wary but friendly; if you have food, share some.

Common body language: Licking

1. From mother’s grooming; licking you is a natural expression of love.

2. When bored, licking gets your attention; it releases endorphins, making it happy.

3. Licking also signals hunger or thirst.

4. Your salty sweat or food residue tastes good to it.

5. Constant nose-licking means unease; comfort it. Common in training when hesitant.

6. If you’re eating and it circles licking its nose, it wants food.