Understanding Dog Body Language

Wagging tail, perky ears, and an excited bark -- a happy dog right? Although it can seem on the surface dogs are great at expressing their needs, wants and feelings, there’s usually more going on if you look a little closer. Each part of your dog’s body can give you some clues about what they’re trying to tell you. Here’s what to look for.

Their head

If your dog turns their head, it’s likely a stress signal. By turning their head away, your dog is telling you they’re uncomfortable and trying to remove themselves from the situation. If their head is down or low, it shows fear. If their body is also hunched over and they are cowering, it's likely they are feeling scared, uneasy, and fearful. Think about their situation or environment and how it could be affecting them.

But if you see them tilting their head, they’re telling you they’re interested and maybe a little playful too. It's important to consider the environment your dog is in to decipher if they are being playful or not (this might be a good time to whip out their fave toy for a game of tug or fetch).

Their eyes

Your dog’s eyes can tell you a lot:

• • • Staring. Back away. This can be a sign of aggression.
    • Averting their eyes. Your dog might be feeling scared, but normally averted eyes are combined with other signs of fear. If their body is loose and relaxed, averted eyes can actually mean they’re comfortable.
    • Wide open eyes. Your dog is probably feeling overwhelmed and over-excited by what’s going on. This is your cue to calm things down a bit.

Their ears

Most dog owners know that flattened ears indicate stress or fear, while perked up ears means your dog is ready to play. Although this is true, it’s worth checking out what else is going on with their body.

• • • High, upright ears. This can mean playtime, or that your dog is feeling over-stimulated, or it’s an early warning sign that something’s not right.
    • High ears held back. Playtime!
    • High ears held back, with staring eyes and fur standing on end. Your dog is feeling suspicious about something or someone.
    • Flat back ears, with fur standing on end. Your dog is feeling threatened

Their mouth

Even without making a sound, your dog’s mouth is a good indicator of how they’re feeling.

• • • Closed mouth. Your dog might be feeling nervous. It’s the canine equivalent of us holding our breath.
    • Yawning. If your dog has just woken up, this is a sleepy sign. But if they haven’t, yawning can be a way to calm themselves down and reduce stress. They might be feeling a little uncomfortable and looking for some reassurance from you.
    • Baring their teeth or snapping at the air. Dogs naturally do this to correct another dog’s behaviour. If they do it to you, they’re telling you to stop whatever you’re doing.
    • ‘Smiling’. A doggy smile doesn’t signal happiness like it does in humans. It’s a way of appeasing you.
    • Panting. Panting, when it’s not hot or your dog hasn’t been doing vigorous exercise, can be a sign of stress. Like when you take them to the vet and they start panting in the waiting room.
    • Open mouth with their tongue hanging out. This is the mouth of a happy, calm and comfortable pup.

Their body

Your dog uses their body in so many ways to communicate with you.

• Turning away, stretching, lifting a paw, stiffening up and pacing. Your dog is feeling anxious.
• Freezing. Although this can be a sign your dog is about to attack, it can also be a way of showing submission to another dog or person. If they’re doing this, they’ll also lie on their back and show their belly.
• Shaking off. Dog channelling their inner Taylor Swift? They could be trying to make another dog feel comfortable. Or it can act as a reset after a time of high excitement.
• Wiggling, bowing or body checking. It’s playtime! Especially when these are combined with making noise and bouncing around.
• Leaning into your legs, asking for a belly or back rub. This is your pup’s way of showing affection.

Their fur

In the same way that we get goosebumps when we feel scared or excited, your dog’s fur can stand on end too. It can mean many things, including fear and discomfort. This is especially true when your dog is faced with a new situation, like meeting another dog for the first time. But it can also mean that they’re feeling excited.

The best way to tell if your pup is feeling stressed or excited is to see what the rest of their body is telling you.

Their tail

A wagging tail isn’t always a happy tail. Here’s how to decode those wags.

• • • A high tail wag. Your dog might be over-excited, or it’s an early warning that they’re feeling frustrated or afraid.
    • A loose, mid-tail wag. This usually means your pup is playful and comfortable.
    • A low tail wag. Your dog might be feeling scared.
    • Tail between their legs. If your dog is literally caught with their tail between their legs, they’re not feeling comfortable or confident. As well as an act of submission, it’s their way of saying ‘I’m frightened’ or ‘don’t hurt me!’.

We hope this helps you understand your dog even more - you’ll truly be their favourite human once you get what they’re all about! If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.

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