How well do you know your pup? Does a wagging tail always indicate happiness? Does panting always mean a dog is hot? How well can you decipher your dog’s body language and his attempts to communicate with you? Pay attention to this body language and you’ll be able to better understand just what your furry friend is trying to tell you! If you have questions about your dog’s body language or if it’s time for a check-up, give us a call!
Calm and neutral
- Relaxed body posture; no tension
- Relaxed tail, possibly wagging
- Possibly panting happily
- A calm, neutral dog is typically ready for you to greet and pet him.
Alert
- Leaning forward
- Ears are forward
- Mouth might be closed
- An alert dog could be curious or interested in what’s going on around him
Dominant
- Standing up tall and leaning forward
- Tail held high
- A dominant dog is showing another dog that he’s in charge.
Aggressive
- Stiff posture
- Tail moves back and forth, like a flag
- Might show teeth and/or growl
- Don’t run away from an aggressive dog. Stand tall and still and look away.
Anxious or nervous
- Ears are back
- Tail is low, but the end might be wagging slightly
- Posture is leaned back or turned to the side
- Might be panting
- A dog showing signs of anxiety is nervous about his surroundings and you should avoid petting him if you don’t know him
Scared
- Flattened ears
- Tucked tail
- Crouching lower to the ground
- A scared dog should not be approached, because he might bite if he feels the need to defend himself
Submissive
- Laying on his back
- Paws and tail tucked in
- This position is most common when two dogs interact. One dog is telling the other he “gives up.” Abused dogs will sometimes display this behavior toward humans.
Playful
- Might “bow down” with tail in the air and wagging and front legs and chest on the ground
- Might be panting or barking
- This dog is ready for you to chase him or throw the ball for him.
Excited
- Forward ears
- Tail wagging quickly
- Alert and ready to pounce
- Likely panting
- Sometimes, overly excited dogs can inadvertently scratch, jump up, or knock someone down in their excitement.
Be on the lookout for these different body languages so you can’t get to know your pup better! As always, please call us with any questions!
