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Why learn to read your dog's body language

  • Interpret their needs

    Understanding your dog's body language allows you to accurately interpret their emotions and needs, enabling you to respond appropriately and address any potential issues or discomfort they may be experiencing

  • Build trust

    Knowledge of your dog's body language facilitates effective communication and strengthens the bond between you and your pet, fostering a deeper understanding and mutual trust, leading to a more harmonious and fulfilling relationship

  • Recognize stress signals

    By being aware of your dog's body language, you can recognize signs of stress, fear, or anxiety, and take necessary steps to alleviate their distress, creating a calmer and more secure environment for them

What is your dog trying to tell you?

When trying to interpret your dog’s body language, it's crucial to take a holistic approach. To do this, you will need to consider their entire body and the context of the situation. More specifically, look at:


• Orientation: Where your dog is looking and where their body is pointing. What your dog is looking at and where their body is pointing is a good indication of what your dog is focused on. Knowing this information is valuable because it puts you in a good position to predict what they will do next.


• Placement: Where your dog is in relation to the "thing" that's captured their attention. Is your dog close to you? How far is the “thing” that’s captured their attention? Are there cats, strangers, garbage trucks, etc on the street? Taking note of these environmental factors will potentially give you information on what frightens and excites your dog.


• Weight: Where your dog is leaning. How your adopted dog carries their weight will tell you a lot about how they’re feeling:

→Centered weight generally indicates baseline/resting state

→Weight shifted forward generally indicates confidence towards the stimulus

→Weight shifted backwards generally indicates uncertainty towards the stimulus

→Leaning towards something is likely a dog who is more confidently interested

→Leaning away from something indicates a dog who is likely less confident


• Posture: Whether your dog is standing tall or getting low. Your adopted dog’s posture is an extension of how they’re carrying their weight and gives you additional information to ascertain how your adopted dog is feeling:

→Standing tall generally indicates a dog that is confident and assertive

→Crouching down and lowering the body generally indicates a dog that is less confident and uncertain


• Ear position: Noticing whether your dog's ears are natural or semi-erect. Ear shape and resting state are heavily dependent on the breed of your dog. There are two ear positions to be aware of, and here’s how to recognize them:

→Natural/Relaxed ears will have no tension around where their head and ears meet. Use their relaxed ears as a baseline for your adopted dog when comparing other ear actions.

→Semi-Erect ears will be up halfway or turned in a specific direction. This could indicate they detected stimuli (noise, smell) and are on alert.



"Stress Signals"

Signs your dog is stressed

• Yawning: Dogs sometimes yawn when they’re tired, but yawns are more frequently a sign of stress


• Lip licking: Unless your dog has just swallowed something, or has peanut butter on their tongue, any flick of the tongue or a lick of the nose is almost always a sign that your dog is uncomfortable


• Ear scratching: It’s possible your dog’s ear is suddenly itchy, but more often than not, if a dog stops everything to use a back leg to scratch their ear, they’re trying to avoid an uncomfortable situation


• Showing the sides of the eye: If your dog is holding super still, and showing the white half-moon sides of their eyes, they are feeling anxious and uncomfortable


• Shaking off: If your dog shakes off as if they’re wet and trying to dry off, it’s usually an attempt to relieve discomfort in a non-confrontational way


• Other more obvious stress signals include: Growling, showing teeth, flattening ears, tucking tail, raising hackles, backing away, cowering and whining


Webinars

• Decoding doggie dialogue

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