How To Read Your Dogs Body Language .........

Dog Body Language/Facial "Expressions"

Confident and Relaxed

• Stance - erect
• Tail - wagging slowly
• Ears - pricked up but with a relaxed look
• Eyes - small pupils
• Mouth - closed or slight parting of lips

Fearful or Anxious

• Stance - lowered
• Tail - tucked under
• Ears - down
• Eyes - a wide-eyed look with the whites showing
• Mouth - panting

Aggressive

• Stance - rigid
• Tail - straight up or out behind, very rigid
• Ears - pricked up
• Eyes - intense, focused stare
• Mouth - lips are pulled back and some teeth show
• Hackles - this is a line of hair that starts at the base of the neck and runs down the shoulders. It is raised if a dog is feeling aggressive and lowered if he is relaxed.

Fear-Aggressive

• Stance - dog is pulled into himself
• Tail - tucked completely under
• Ears - lying down
• Eyes - wide-eyed and trouble focusing
• Mouth - lips pulled back slightly or heavy panting

Relaxed

• Stance - lying down or standing without any alertness
• Tail - up and wagging or lying naturally
• Ears - at their normal state, depending on the breed (A Terrier's would be up but relaxed, a Hound's would be down)
• Eyes - normal pupil dilation, focused but not staring
• Mouth - open and lightly panting or closed

Since I help care for a number of senior dogs experiencing arthritis, mobility challenges and any number of health issues, I have been asked how a human can learn when a furry best friend may be in pain.

When your dog is in pain, whether due to a wound or health condition, he may communicate it to you by vocalization -- think howling, whining and whimpering. Doggies utilize these types of vocalization also to convey other types of distress, including nervousness, stress and fear.

In addition to vocalization, most dogs that are experiencing pain will change their behavior patterns. We will see them reluctantly climb stairs, observe them becoming more withdrawn and inactive, or notice them reacting negatively to being held or picked up. These subtle changes in behavior may be our only clue that the dog is hurting. Back pain is common in mature dogs and anyone who has witnessed an older dog struggle to arise or even refuse to stand after laying down knows the discomfort these arthritic dogs must endure. Look for these or other similar yet subtle behavioral changes, as they may be the only way your dog communicates a need for pain management assistance.

Dog Verbal Cues

The Howl

This is an attempt to locate someone, perhaps you or the dog down the street. When you leave for work, it's very possible your dog howls in an effort to get you back. When one dog starts howling in the neighborhood, usually many others join in - it's sort of like a conference call.

The Growl

This means "back off." You'll see a dog growl when another dog gets interested in his food. Your dog may growl at a stranger he doesn't like or he may growl at you when you try to take his toy away. It's actually a very effective way of communicating and actually signals that you can probably negotiate that toy away. When a dog is in an aggressive stance and silent, there is the most danger.

The Grunt or Mutter

This is usually to indicate that your dog wants something. It's an interesting sound because it's almost manipulative - your dog knows if he barks, he'll get into trouble but the more subtle "grunt" might get him wants he wants. It is also heard when dogs greet other dogs or humans.

The Whimper

Dogs whimper when they're anxious or hurt. Sometimes they figure out that they get attention when they whimper and use this to their advantage.

The Whine

This indicates frustration. They are in a sense "complaining" about something.

The Bark

There are many different types of barks. A high pitched bark indicates excitement and happiness. A low pitched bark indicates aggression and is possibly a threat.  Dogs bark to get attention, to respond to other dogs, to indicate that they're happy, and to alert their human to a problem. Unfortunately, your dog may detect a "problem" that you can't see or hear, such as a siren miles away or the neighbor's cat hiding in the tree outside the window.

I encourage you to learn how to speak and listen in your dog's own language.  Dogs communicate using body postures, facial expressions, and vocalizations.  These cues are often misunderstood by humans.  Decoding a dog's body language can help you understand your dog better and therefore reduce his anxiety, facilitate training and strengthen the family's bond with your four legged best friend.