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Accurately interpreting your dog’s body language is critical when it comes to supplying his or her physical and emotional needs. By observing your dog’s posture, movements, and specific parts of the body such as the tail or ears, you can get real insight into what your pet is thinking or feeling. Unlike humans, who can go to great lengths to hide their thoughts and emotions, dogs are generally very reliable in physically demonstrating what’s going on in their heads. Study and learn your dog’s body language, and you will improve your ability to provide for them.

Sometimes you may be doing something you think entertains your dog that might actually be frightening him. Learning to determine fear from your dog’s body language is essential in reducing excess anxiety for you and your dog. Signs of fear include a lowered stance, a tail that is tucked underneath the body, turning away of the head and looking aside so that the whites of the eyes show, and dilated pupils. Dogs also tend to bark out of fear, especially when they feel they are trapped or cornered; barking helps them put distance between themselves and the object of their fear. Depending on the texture and length of your dog’s coat, you may also be able to see his or her hair standing on end as a result of fear.

Contrary to fear, a confident dog will have a very erect stance, often with a high, slowly wagging tail, and pricked up or relaxed ears. A dog who is self-assured about being in the presence of another dog or person will also have a direct look, without the whites of the eyes showing as they do with fear. In a confident dog, you will also find smaller, relaxed pupils.

Distinguishing between playfulness and aggression is sometimes difficult with our dogs. Especially when in the presence of people or other dogs, it’s important to know when your dog’s actions are serious and when he is “just playing around”. Dog-play is usually initiated by a playful bow or pawing at the air. Even when play becomes intense, relaxed eyes and lips, light barking, and even what we sometimes see as a ‘grin’ ,indicate that your dog is still just having a good time.

Aggression, however, is serious and there are warnings signs that can tell you if your dog is on the brink of violence. The most obvious of those signs is growling. Dogs also have a stiffened neck and body when they are feeling aggressive. Other physical indications of aggression are a lowered head, ears ‘pinned’ back close to the head, intent and narrowly fixed eyes, lips drawn into a snarl with teeth bared, and straightened tail. As soon as such signs are evident, act immediately to calm your dog or remove him from the hostile situation.

It is important to keep in mind that dogs often exhibit just as much individual personality as people. Just like their human masters and companions, individual dogs often have very personal forms of body language. Pay attention to your dog, as closely as you would to another person. Learn the little gestures, postures, and habits that will give you access to thoughts and needs of your canine companion.

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