How to Read Your Dog’s Body Language

Canine body language is a great way to help owners understand what dogs are feeling, how they are handling a situation, and what they are about to do. Handed down from the body language of their lupine ancestors, the body language of dogs is easy for humans to understand.

Knowing canine body language can help avoid fearful situations and aggressive behavior, prevent dog bites, as well as how to react when situations arise.

Relaxed dogs do not feel threatened by other dogs or their environment. They are friendly and approachable. Relaxed dog body language traits:

dog standing erect on four legs
tail hanging down straight (or in some breeds, curled upward) and wagging in a slow, sweeping motion
mouth open, tongue out, gentle panting (but not due to heat or stress)
ears erect and facing forward
eyes with small pupils, no whites showing
dog looking around, taking an interest in his surroundings

The playful stance, where a dog has his rump raised high, is the sign that it’s time to go out and play! Dogs also acquire this stance as a time out or as an apology or peace offering if they think they may have behaved too aggressively or threateningly. Playful body language traits:

rump raised, front of the body lowered, front knees bent, head forward, dog jumping around
tail raised high and waving
mouth open, tongue out
ears perked up and alert
eyes wide open, darting around in anticipation, pupils dilated

Stressed dogs give signals to show they are overheated, frustrated, fearful, or simply trying to deflect conflict. Stressed dog body language traits:

body bent forward, head down
tail down and limp
tongue extended forward or licking the nose, indicating being wary but not aggressive, panting extensively if overheated
ears folded back
eyes avoiding looking directly at anything, pupils dilated

Fearful dogs have unmistakable humped-over body language and a fearful gaze. Remove the dog from the fearful environment or let him calm down on his own. Fearful body language traits:
body crouched low, back arched, rump and head lowered, dog hiding, backing away, shivering or trembling
tail down and twitching or between the legs
mouth closed, lips possibly curled
ears down or laid back
eyes fixed on the thing scaring him, whites of the eyes showing

Aggressive dogs give signals that they are about to attack and defend themselves. It’s best to leave these dogs alone. Aggressive dog body language traits:

dog directly facing his opponent, body in a forward lurching position, head tilted forward, hackles raised
tail straight down and tensed or tucked under his legs
mouth snarling, lips curled, teeth exposed
ears back
eyes narrowed, staring at opponent, pupils dilated

Dominant dogs know they are the king of the pack and make sure everyone else knows, too. Dominant dog body language traits:
dog standing erect and tall, hackles raised
tail up straight and bristled
mouth closed or lips curled and teeth visible in the prelude to a snarl
ears erect and facing forward
eyes staring straight ahead or on target
dog pretending to mount (or hump) lower-ranking dogs

Submissive dogs are not necessarily wimps, just dogs who agree to recognize who the leader is and avoid confrontation. Submissive dog body language traits:
dog crouching, knees bent, front paw raised, rump lowered, head down
tail between the legs
mouth open slightly, tongue dipping out slightly—they may lick the face of the dominant dog
ears folded back
eyes looking away, brief and indirect eye contact with dominant dog or person

SOURCES

Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBWJZbuqBo7YSGEu0m__kSuk0-hcbvTMPO7-E6szMVx3rTX_owql2kpkTadtV5mpfQu-nuq-uBC8uZpfL0sdhhxlU2UeWpAmXdOXh4l2xEDPGKXdxZRwXSuoqC4Vy8b0vYAPbRZA8qyc/s1600/Dog_Body_Language.png

How to Read Your Dog’s Body Language, Modern Dog Magazine – http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/how-read-your-dogs-body-language/415

How to Interpret Your Dog’s Body Language…, Paws Across America – http://www.pawsacrossamerica.com/interpret.html

Canine Body Language, ASPCA – http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/canine-body-language

Reading Your Dog’s Body Language, About (dot) com – http://dogs.about.com/od/dogtraining/tp/dogbodylanguage.htm

Dog Body Language, WebMD – http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-body-language