How To Read Dog Body Language: The Basics
It is a common misconception that if a dog’s tail is wagging it is happy, today we explore how to understand a dogs’ body language better.
Decoding a dogs’ body language will allow you to understand how they are feeling and what their intentions are with the human and other pets around them.
Dogs also use sounds and other signals to express emotion, understanding their body language will assist you to keep your own pet or a
visiting pooch happy, comfortable and safe.
Dog trainer and behaviour counsellor Jolanta Benal says if we decode our dogs’ body language we can bail them out before they get overwhelmed.
“When we recognise our dogs’ stress signals and take action to help them out, we’re taking care both of the dog and of ourselves,” Benal said.
Even the gentlest animal in a threatening or scary situation might get snappy, so being able to recognise this behaviour and removing or distracting from the cause is helpful.
To help you, here is a guide to eight of the most common messages your dog is sending you, sourced from Modern Dog Magazine.
RELAXED AND APPROACHABLE
Relaxed and reasonably content, this dog is unconcerned and not feeling threatened by its immediate environment and is usually approachable.
If you are approaching someone else dog, it is always important to ask for permission before approaching and petting even if the dog is relaxed.
Illustration by: Emma Trithart
PLAYFULNESS
Basic invitation to play, may be accompanied by excited barking or playful attacks and retreats. An indication that any previous rough behaviour was not meant as a threat or challenge.
Illustration by: Emma Trithart
ALERT – CHECKING THINGS OUT
Alert and paying attention to something they have detected, something of interest or unknown. Assessing the situation to determine if there is a threat or any action required.
Illustration by: Emma Trithart
DOMINANT AND AGGRESSIVE
Highly dominant and confident animal. Expressing social dominance and threatening aggression if challenged.
If you have a dominant dog and are introducing a new dog the first meeting should be in a neutral location away from the distraction of territorial protection and make sure to watch diligently.
Illustration by: Emma Trithart
FEARFUL AND AGGRESSIVE
Frightened and not submission, may attack if pressed. Generally a dog will give these signals when he is directly facing the threatening individual.
Illustration by: Emma Trithart
STRESSED AND DISTRESSED
Under social or environmental stress. A general “broadcast” of the dogs feeling, not addressed to a particular individual.
Your dog may also be distressed if they are in pain. Read more:
“Top 5 Signs Your Dog or Cat Is in Pain”
Illustration by: Emma Trithart
FEARFUL AND WORRIED
Somewhat fearful, offering signs of submission designed to pacify the individual of higher social status or whom the dog sees as a potential threat. Dogs show these signals to avoid any further challenge and prevent conflict
Illustration by: Emma Trithart
EXTREME FEAR – TOTAL SUBMISSION
Total submission and surrender, acceptance of their lower status by grovelling before higher ranking or threatening individual in the aim to avoid physical confrontation.
Illustration by: Emma Trithart
