What Your Dog’s Body Language Means

Playful dog

Understanding Your Dog's Body Language

Barking isn't the only way dogs communicate. In fact, your dog's body language provides subtle clues that can help you figure out your furry friend's moods.

Deciphering Your Dog's Signals

Dogs have excellent non-verbal communication skills, although their body language may be a little difficult for their families to decipher at times. In fact, facial expressions, tail position, and posture provide important information about your pet's state of mind.

It's much easier to determine if your dog is happy, confident, stressed, or fearful when you know what the changes in your pet's body language mean. Here's what your dog's body language may be telling you:

  • I'm Calm and Happy: Relaxed ears and eyes, a slightly open mouth, and a relaxed posture are signs of a calm, confident dog. Happy dogs tend to hold their tails in a neutral position and wag them slowly from side to side. If your dog is excited to see you, its entire body may wriggle with anticipation.
  • I'm Stressed: Separation anxiety, a move to a new home, or the introduction of a new person or pet can stress your dog. Signs of stress include whining, shaking, pacing, yawning, shedding, drooling, and panting. You may also notice that your furry friend doesn't make eye contact with you or has dilated pupils. Licking the lips and resting most of the bodyweight on the back legs can also be signs of stress.
  • I'm Afraid: Fearful dogs, like stressed dogs, also lick their lips, yawn, or avoid eye contact. A fearful dog may cower, shake or hold its tail between its back legs. Flattened ears, lip licking, lowered head, and urination or defecation can be signs that your dog is afraid. The whites of your dog's eyes may be more visible if something frightening has occurred.
  • I'm Sick or in Pain: Just like you, your dog may feel a little cranky when sick or in pain. Pain or illness can even cause normally laid-back dogs to become aggressive in some cases. Other signs of illness may include flattened ears, crying, whimpering, howling, growling, panting, limping, shaking, fatigue, lack of appetite, hunched posture, limping, frequent licking and grooming, or disinterest in usual activities. Dogs may also hide when sick, an instinct that helps protect them from predators in the wild.
  • I Want to Play: The play bow, a position that involves raising the back end, while putting the front legs and chest on the ground, is a clear sign that your dog is ready for a little playtime. Other signs that may indicate that your furry friend is ready to play include floppy or relaxed ears, open mouth, protruding or visible tongue, almond-shaped eyes, and relaxed body posture. Your playful dog may roll over on its back, exposing its belly for rubbing.
  • I'm Aggressive: If a dog is feeling aggressive, it may keep its tail high and twitch it back and forth rather than wagging it fluidly. Erect ears, stiff posture, growling, snapping, barking, bared teeth, head butting, nipping, or lunging without making contact can all be signs of aggression. An aggressive dog's fur may also stand on end, although this can also occur if a dog is stressed, upset, or interested in something, according to the American Kennel Club. Teaching children the signs of aggression in dogs can help them understand when it's a good idea to avoid your pet or other dogs.

Learning to interpret your dog's body language offers a simple way to enhance your relationship with your dog. Do you have any concerns about your pet's body language or health? Give our office a call to set up a convenient appointment.

Sources:

American Kennel Club: How to Read Dog Body Language

ASPCA Pro: 7 Tips on Canine Body Language

dvm360: Canine Body Language Basics, 2/13/18

Location

Find us on the map

Monday:

8:30 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:45 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Feedback from our clients

  • "Words can not begin to express our gratitude for the care you had given Hunter over the years. When his time came, he watched for you to come through the door and his tail showed his affection towards you. That was most comforting having you there. Thank you.""
    ~R.H
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Maggie over the years. Y'all are the best and Dr. Johnson, you are the best vet in the world! God bless you all.""
    ~ J.D.
  • ""Your care for my beloved Mattie these last 10n years made her life, and mine much better….God bless each of you for all you did for us and I'm sure for all your other two and four legged patients.""
    ~E.D.
  • ""Thank you for saving my life." ~T.C."
    ~T.C.
  • ""I can not express how grateful I am for you and your staff… I appreciate everything you did in Beckham's treatment. He was so lucky to have such a wonderful doctor on his side. Thank you for all you do for the benefit of all our beloved pets.""
    ~L.B.
  • ""Dr. Johnson - There are no words that can truly capture your kindness.""
    ~G.B.
  • ""Thank you for the great care you took of Taco and the rest of our family. He is doing great now! He is enjoying running and playing with all four legs again.""
    ~W.C
  • ""People who avail themselves of your services at the clinic certainly are blessed to have such a caring staff....bless you and your devoted staff.""
    ~E.D.
  • ""A sincere thank you for taking such good care of Dulce. We are so thrilled that she is back to her normal self. You gave her the support and care she needed in her darkest hours and kept us confident in her recovery.""
  • ""Just to say how much we appreciate all of you. You all are wonderful people. We feel blessed to have our beloved furry children in your care when they need it. Your professional knowledge and your acts of kindness have a beautiful act all it's own. You are a great vet, compassionate and everything good all in one. You are in our daily prayers.""
    ~T.F.
  • ""Thank you and all of your staff for the excellent care you gave to my wonderful Abbey, who was so much a part of the family. Thank you for all the advice and support you gave to me these last few months. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without your constant support. I will, and I have highly recommended you to family and friends, as I feel you are the best!""
    ~P.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking care of my kitty, Slingshot. He is feeling better and better. My Paw-Paw said that you took extra special care of him and I really appreciate it. So, thank you again for taking care of my cat.""
    ~T.B. (age 6)
  • ""Dr. Johnson, I don't know why you decided to move here from your home in New Jersey, but I absolutely believe it was so you could help me and Mickey. I know coming to someone's home is not what a typical veterinarian would do, but you are obviously an extraordinary man in a world filled with ordinary men….On top of that, your sensitive and wonderful handwritten note arrived and touched my heart…You are one of those quiet, unheralded champions who make life easier for everyone you touch.""
    ~C.W.
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Lola when she had her reaction, and your office was already closed. I know you took time away from yourself and your family and I really appreciate it.""
    ~R.M.
  • ""Thank you for giving me more time with my best friend. We are all so grateful.""
    ~A.M.
  • ""Thank you for all of your support for Maxine during her illness. All was very much appreciated and will always be remembered. I have related to all my friends of what a great doctor and staff at Birdneck Animal Hospital.""
    ~O.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking such good care of me over the last 4 years. I am doing well and both legs and feet feel great. You sis an awesome job on me Dr. Johnson, and I'm gonna have a great year this year and I hope to see you only for my check up. You guys are the best!""
    ~Budkus
  • "We can't thank you enough for the wonderful and loving care you gave to"Budkus" while he was in your care. He was so little and so sick and we were so scared for him. Each and every one of the staff members made us feel like we had the only dog in the world. Like nothing else mattered except getting "Budkus" well again. Our deepest gratitude to all of you for the excellent care and attention we received, for your encouragement, comfort, and understanding, and most importantly for saving his life! Thank you so much.""
    ~ J.,B.,C.