Dogs experience many of the same emotions as people. They understand fear, sadness, happiness, anxiety, and anger. They communicate many of these feelings using their bodies. Owners who learn to recognize their canines’ nonverbal signals will be better able to respond to their needs. This not only improves the interaction you enjoy with your pet, but it can also prevent them from behaving in ways that lead to problems (e.g. confrontations with other animals).

Below, you’ll learn how to read your dog’s body language. We’ll begin with the eyes, since many of your pet’s feelings are expressed through them. We’ll then explore how observing his mouth and posture will provide useful insight regarding his intentions.

What Is Your Pet Telling You With His Eyes?

Dogs can express a lot of emotion with their eyes. They can narrow or widen them; they can direct their gaze toward or away from you; and they can focus their gaze in a way that suggests a range of motivations. For example, if your pet’s eyes are wider than normal, it might imply he feels threatened by something in his immediate environment. Wide eyes are also a sign of aggression. If your pet’s eyes are smaller than normal, he may be experiencing pain or fear.

The direction your canine is looking can also provide clues to his thoughts and intentions. For example, most dogs have learned to look directly at people, even though they rarely do so with each other. This is usually fine, and doesn’t suggest a problem. Sometimes, however, canines will focus their gaze intently on someone they consider to be a threat. This can be dangerous if the person fails to recognize the signal.

When a canine looks at you from the corner of his eyes, be wary. This is often the precursor to an aggressive reaction.

Watching The Mouth

Your dog is also expressive with his mouth. Most canines that are feeling relaxed and safe will keep their mouths open so they can pant. Their teeth may show, but it is not a sign of aggression. If your pet is feeling tense, he will likely keep his mouth closed. This is also true during times when he is showing submission.

Signs of aggression are usually clearly defined in the mouth. You might see the corners pull back, or the lips retract to display teeth in the front. If you observe these signs, stay away from the dog. He is warning you to keep your distance.

Watching The Body

Your canine uses his body – including his stance and muscles – to communicate how he is feeling at any given moment. For example, if he is feeling relaxed, he will stand easily with his weight distributed equally throughout his body. This is in direct contrast to his stance when he is frightened. In such cases, he may lower himself to the ground as if trying to appear smaller. Your dog may also do so when showing submission; he is communicating to another that he poses no threat.

When a canine becomes aggressive, he will try to appear larger. He will stand tall with his head held high, and tense himself. If he feels particularly aggressive, he may lean forward. The reason dogs do this is to frighten the object of their aggression. It is a form of intimidation.

Observing The Whole Package

By closely watching your canine’s body language, you’ll be able to identify whether he is feeling relaxed, threatened, happy, or angry. Some signs, such as the tension in his muscles, may be subtle. Others, like the baring of teeth, will be obvious. By learning to recognize these and other signals, you can respond to your dog’s needs. This might involve playing with him when he is happy, giving him space when he’s angry, or eliminating stimuli by which he feels threatened. This improves your interaction together, and strengthens the bond between you.

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Category: Pets
Keywords: dog body language, body language of dogs, canine body language