The body language of dogs is relatively easy as compared to humans – they growl when they are angry, they wag their tails when they are friendly, how many humans can we say that for?
Dogs so very often give us cues to their emotional state as well as to their reaction to the worldly elements around them, if only we are listening. Their facial expressions and body postures tell so much more than their barks.
Body language of dogs
Since dogs don’t speak the human tongue, they communicate most of their feelings to us through their instinctual body language. Dogs communicate with one another and with us using non-verbal language. Understanding your dog’s body language goes beyond just a wagging tail. While a happy pup might greet you with a flurry of tail wags, the position and intensity of the wag can tell you more. A relaxed wag held high shows confidence, while a low wag tucked between the legs might indicate fear. Leaning is another important signal.
Leaning against you is usually a sign of affection, but if your dog is also trembling or panting, it could be anxiety. By paying attention to these subtle cues, you can decipher your dog’s emotions and respond accordingly, creating a stronger bond with your furry friend.
These easy-to-read drawings by Lili Chin will help you understand your pooch much better!
Dogs may not say the words, but they say a lot more once we realize their body language.
Unless you’re a cat living under a rock, you’d know how tricky it can get to listen to what your dog is saying. The Secret Life of Woofs isn’t that hard to comprehend even in today’s world of the internet and instant messages.
Learning the basics of canine body language helps us in better understanding our canine companions. Once a Dog Listener, we can ease our well-intentioned cross-species miscommunications.
How to tell if a dog is afraid?
An afraid dog would tuck his tail between his rear legs.
A fearful dog often displays bodily postures like leaning away or back, trembling, lowering his body or head – eyes wide open and a wrinkled forehead. Watch out for his tail, which may be lowered or tucked. If he’s too timid, he may try to escape or urinate when approached.
Is the dog displaying aggressive behaviour?
A dog exhibiting an aggressive tone may display a wrinkled muzzle, tense body, with weight either centred or over all four feet or leaning slightly forward onto the front legs. When a dog is feeling tense, his eyes may appear rounder than normal, or they may show a lot of white around the outside.
Why do dogs chase their tails?
Dogs chase their tails for a variety of reasons: curiosity, exercise, anxiety, and predatory instinct or, they might even have fleas. For the behavioural aspects, try including more exercises in your dog’s daily routine – this would also help him reduce anxiety and stress.
We all know a happy pup’s tail wags with unrestrained enthusiasm, but did you know a wag can be like a secret code? That full-body wag held high? Pure confidence. A nervous wiggle tucked low between the legs? Fear might be creeping in. Just like us, dogs wear their emotions on their sleeves – well, tails, in this case. By learning to “read” these wags, you can become a doggy deciphering pro.
Why do dogs lean on you?
Dogs lean on us for a variety of reasons, most commonly to show affection or simply because they enjoy being close to their favorite people. This leaning behavior is a form of communication in dogs, similar to how humans might hug or hold hands. It can also be a sign of anxiety in some cases, so if your dog is leaning on you excessively and showing other signs of nervousness, it’s a good idea to consult a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
Hope these handy tips will help you know exactly when your pup is bursting with excitement for a walk, or when a cuddle session is the perfect remedy for a less-than-stellar day at the dog park. All set to be Dr Dolittle, are you?
Also see, how to introduce your dog to the baby.
Nice post Abhishek.. I have a saint Bernard (His name is Titan) at my home, his huge size makes me scared.. His behavior is kinda neutral towards me, he neither barks at me nor ever come near to me.. What does it means?? He likes me or not?
Hi Anjali, Dogs can smell apprehension, please let go of fear 🙂 Bernard(s) despite their size are very friendly hence the title Saint. Try to take it slow, bond with him by being the one who gives him food, takes him out for walks and I’m sure you’ll make great friends with him. All the best!
A lot of things I have learned from this blog.