Dog Body Language

To read your pet properly, you must understand dog body language. This also applies to strange dogs you may encounter.

Dogs express themselves through posture and other signs. It can be a good thing or a bad thing.

So let's look at dog body language.

Body Posture

This is the first thing you notice about a dog. If his body is stiff and tall, he is interested and curious. May also be a sign of aggression when added to other parts of the body like teeth and ears.

We've all seen the "play bow". Front end on the ground, butt in the air, head down and tongue lolling out. He wants to play.

If a dog is on its back showing the belly, this is a submissive posture.

Head

High, tilted, or arched means showing interest;

Head straight out, body stiff, leans forward means about to run toward you;

Lowered head, stiff body, leans back means ready to run away.

Ears

Pitched forward - interested;

Part way up - some interest but not going to come to you;

Flat against the head - afraid or aggressive.

Teeth

Covered by the lips - shows interest when coupled with raised head, forward ears and wagging tail;

Barred and showing, especially if growling and barking - Very aggressive, do not approach.

Tail

Stiff and high - ready to fight;

High and slightly wagging - dominance;

High and wagging in a circle - friendly and interested;

Straight out behind and not moving - interested;

Wagging slowly - friendly;

Tucked between legs - afraid;

Tucked between legs and on his back - submissive.

Eyes

Hard stare - aggressive;

Looking away or looking away and back - afraid.

If a dog comes over to you, let him smell the back of your hand. He will either lick your hand, rub his head under it or nudge it. That means its ok to pet him.

Also, speak softly and confidently to the dog and pet him gently. Some dogs that may be friendly at first, may become nasty if treated in a rough manner.

Watch your own dog's body language and interpret it accordingly. You will be amazed at how easy it is to "talk dog."