Reading and understanding your dog's body language

Dogs are great communicators, and they show us how they feel in many ways. Whether it's through their body posture, facial expressions, or the noises they make, they use different signs to let us know what they need. By paying attention to these signals, you can make sure your furry friend is happy and healthy and build a strong bond with them.

A German Shepherd sat looking over to the left engaged with his ears up

How do dogs communicate?

Your dog's body language can show when they're happy and want you to interact or play with them. Similarly, if they feel uncomfortable or anxious, they’ll signal that they want you to give them more space or stop what you're doing. Some signs of anxiety or fear can be subtle, so by learning to spot these, you can avoid situations that may make your dog feel anxious or stressed.

Remember - all dogs are different! Your dog's age, breed, personality, and situation all affect how they behave.

How to tell if your dog is relaxed

When your dog feels relaxed, you might notice that your dog’s eyes look 'soft' or droopy. A relaxed dog’s face and body will be completely tension-free. Their tail might gently wag, and their ears will be upright or in a neutral position (not flat against their head). You might even see their tongue hanging out to the side! And when you talk to them, they might cock their head.

How to tell if your dog is happy

When your dog feels happy, they'll show signs similar to when they're relaxed, but their tail will wag even more! If they want to play, they might lower the front half of their body while raising their bottom in the air - this is called a 'play bow'. Sometimes this might be accompanied by a playful bark or growl that sounds high-pitched and full of excitement!

How to tell if your dog is uncomfortable, anxious, or scared

Anxious dogs, or those who are uncomfortable or fearful, can look similar when relaxed, so it can be harder to spot the signs. We've highlighted the three main stages of these types of behaviour to help you spot the body language signals early and take action to protect your dog:

Stage one is called 'appeasement and displacement behaviour', which means your dog is trying to avoid conflict. The signals (sometimes called 'whispers') are subtle and often shown in response to a perceived threat. It's important to recognise these signs, so your dog's behaviour does not escalate:

Yawning

Lip-licking or lip-smacking

Low head and low ears

Blinking

Turning head away

Tension in muzzle without teeth showing - looks like the dog is smiling

Furrowed brow

Turning body away
Stage two is called' escalated discomfort behaviour'. These calming signals show your dog is becoming scared or frustrated and that the threat or situation remains or that previous behaviour has been ignored. If you aren't sure what's causing the behaviour, and your dog often shows these signals in daily life, you should seek advice from a qualified behaviourist:

Pacing

Shaking or trembling

Cowering

Lying down with leg up, showing belly

Raised front paw

Moving away to escape the perceived threat

Muscles tense

Mouth closed

Tail between legs or still

Ears back or flat against the head

Bulging eyes showing whites (known as whale eye)

Avoiding eye contact

Licking lips or yawning excessively
The third stage is when your dog feels the need to act defensively, known as 'escalated fear and frustration'. This behaviour is your dog's equivalent of us shouting to be heard. At this point, you shouldn't approach your dog as they may feel cornered and fearful:

Ears forward

Tense body with weight leaning forward

Lunging

Tail stiff or wagging rapidly

Fixed stare

Lifting of lips to show teeth

Growling

Barking

Snapping

Biting

If you learn to recognise the early signs of fear or discomfort, you should be able to avoid a situation where your dog needs to resort to these behaviours.

What to do if your dog shows distressed or aggressive behaviour

If your dog shows signs of distress or aggression, addressing the issue as soon as possible is essential to keep your dog and those around them safe and happy. Here are some helpful steps you can take:

Create a safe environment: Create a safe and comfortable environment for your dog. This might involve using barriers or gates to limit their access to certain areas and provide a calm, quiet space for them to relax.
Use positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to shape behaviour in your dog. By reinforcing desired behaviour with rewards such as treats, praise, or toys, you can encourage your dog to repeat the behaviour you want to see more of.
Avoid punishment: Punishment, such as shouting or physical force, can worsen the behaviour of a distressed or aggressive dog. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and training to encourage good behaviour.
Keep training sessions short: Dog training sessions should be kept short and positive so that your dog doesn't become overwhelmed. If your dog struggles to understand a new cue, it's okay to take a break and try again later.

With a little patience and positive reinforcement, you can help your dog feel happy and secure in no time! However, if your dog's behaviour continues to cause concern, it's a good idea to seek the help of a professional, such as a qualified behaviourist. They can help identify the root cause of the behaviour and provide guidance on how to address it.

The most common body language signs and what they mean

A Labrador cross Poodle sat in an open grass field

A wagging tail is such a happy sight! It's usually a sign that your dog is feeling joyful and excited. But it's essential to keep in mind that your dog’s tail position and the speed and intensity of the wag can give you more insight into your dog's emotional state. For example, a low, slow and relaxed wag may mean they feel content and at ease, while a quick and vigorous wag of a tail held high may signal arousal and excitement.
Your dog's ears can tell you a lot about how they are feeling. If their ears are perked up and facing forward, it suggests they're interested or alert. On the other hand, ears that are flat against the head could be a sign of anxiety or a fearful dog. And if their ears are tightly pinned back, giving them some space might be a good idea as it could indicate discomfort or even potential aggression.
Just remember, it can be trickier to interpret the signals in certain breeds, like those with floppy ears. Still, with a bit of practice, you should be able to read their ear language in no time!
Like us, your dog's facial expressions can be so telling! A happy dog often has a relaxed face with soft eyes, while a dog that is feeling tense or anxious might furrow their brow and have hard, staring eyes. Keep in mind that some breeds, like black dogs and those with flat faces, have facial features that are sometimes a bit harder to read, but once you know what you're looking for, you'll soon get the hang of canine communication.
Your dog's body language is like a window into their soul. A relaxed and happy dog will have a loose and wiggly body with a wagging tail and may even invite you to play with a raised bottom and a high wagging tail (also known as a play bow!). In contrast, a dog with a tense body raised hackles (piloerection) or other signs of discomfort may need extra space and attention.
It's always a good idea to look at your dog's 'whole-body language', rather than just focusing on one aspect to get an overall sense of how they are feeling. However, with time and practice interpreting every head cock, ear twitch and tail wag will become second nature!

How to recognise causes of behaviour

When understanding your dog's behaviour and body language, it's important to consider the specific situation and what's normal for your dog. The behaviour shown by your dog when they feel uncomfortable can look similar to when they're relaxed – for example, rolling onto their back could mean your dog is telling you that they're uncomfortable or trying to diffuse a situation, not that they would like a belly rub.

By understanding the context of your dog's behaviour, you can choose how to respond and what to do if the situation happens again.

Factors to consider when interpreting your dog's behaviour

Whilst looking out for the behaviours above will help you understand what your dog is feeling, here are some factors to bear in mind:

Context

It's essential to consider the specific situation and what's normal for your dog when reading their body language. What might be relaxed behaviour in a home environment can mean something different in a public setting.

Age

Puppies and older dogs will behave very differently due to their stage of development and age-related changes. Puppies are likely to be more energetic and playful, while older dogs tend to be calmer.

Personality

Just like people, dogs have their own personalities that influence their behaviour. Some dogs may be more outgoing and confident, while others may be more timid and anxious.

Breed

Different dog breeds can have certain behaviours due to selective breeding. For example, herding breeds, such as sheepdogs, may like to herd other animals. However, this does not mean all dogs of a breed will show the same behaviour, as environment, learning and individual personality will also affect how they behave.

A black Labrador in an open grass field looking relaxed

What to do if you're concerned about your guide dog’s behaviour

If your guide dog is showing signs of fear, anxiety or discomfort that are causing concern, please contact Guide Line - our team are always happy to help. Please contact the emergency line on 0345 143 0217 if anything happens outside of office hours.

Read our tips and advice on socialising your puppy

Reviewed by: Tim Stafford, Director of Canine Affairs on 22 May 2024

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