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Understanding your dog’s emotions is one of the key points to bonding with them. When you can recognize your dog’s mood based on their body language alone, it can really help you navigate the relationship you have.
All dogs are individuals and may express emotions in their own unique way, however there are common themes to dog body language as discussed below. If you have concerns about your dog’s behavior, consult with your veterinarian who will be able to advise you further.
Reading a Dog’s Body Language: 8 Common Types
If you have been around canines for most of your life, you might be a real pro at reading dogs’ body language by now. Once you’ve seen various dog behaviors and personalities, it’s a lot easier to put the puzzle pieces together.
However, if you are navigating this as a person without a lot of experience, it might be hard for you to detect changes in mood or behavior. Below are some different emotions dogs can feel and how they can communicate that through their actions.
1. Happy
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A happy dog is the best kind! There is no mistaking it. They may bark, jump, and wag their tail vigorously. It is such a refreshing experience to see how excited dogs get to see their humans every single time they come around.
A happy dog might:
Have a wiggly body
Wag their tail rapidly
Jump around
Bark with glee
Get very playful
Spin in circles
There is usually nothing you need to do in this situation except enjoy your dog’s good mood and give them lots of pets and attention! Although if your dog’s exuberance means they are bowling over other dogs or jumping up on people, you may need to rein them in with some training.
2. Relaxed
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A relaxed dog’s body will be very “loose” and natural. This is how most dogs should be most of the time if they are comfortable in their environment.
Signs your dog is relaxed include:
Ears held in their natural position
Soft eyes
Closed mouth without tension OR
Open mouth with a relaxed pant
Wagging tail
Again, there is nothing you need to do here except be happy that your dog is feeling so calm and safe in your presence.
3. Unsure
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If a dog is unsure about a situation, you can guess by their change in demeanor. Typically, a dog that becomes uncertain of their environment is timid, shy, aloof, or even fearfully aggressive.
They change their entire demeanor, exhibiting behaviors such as:
Crouching
Tail between the legs
Licking lips
Looking frozen or rigid
Low ears
Low vocalizations
Usually, once an uncertain dog is reassured, all is well. But sometimes, especially depending on the situation, being uncomfortable can lead to aggression and lashing out, so it’s important to understand the signs that a dog is uncomfortable and either try to comfort them if they belong to you or give them their space if they don’t.
4. Agitated
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Agitation can happen to any pooch—just like with any human being. They might be stirred up about too much chaos or unhappy about a newcomer. Regardless of the reason, your dog might show signs that they simply aren’t loving what’s going on.
A dog that is disgruntled or agitated might show behaviors like:
Growling
Whining
Other vocalizations
Restlessness
Tail wagging rapidly in a vertical position
Again, this is another situation that can result in aggression if it escalates, so it’s important to recognize the signs and either remove the stressor or give the dog their space until they calm down.
5. Anxious
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Dogs can get anxious just like us. Not only can they suffer from bouts of anxiety due to environmental stimuli, but they can also have an anxiety disorder. If your dog is anxious, they will exhibit a lot of signs physically.
Some of these include:
Whining
Whimpering
Panting
Crying
Tense brow
Destructive behavior
Pacing
Shaking
With normal events, like a thunderstorm, these behaviors are predictable and they usually resolve once the stressor is gone. But, some dogs are just a little more nervous than others. Either way, a vet might prescribe anti-anxiety medications to help your dog calm down, as well as lifestyle changes and a training program to help with fears.
6. Alert
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If a dog is alert, such as when they hear the sound of a car door or maybe an approaching friend, you might see them pause. It’s like everything in that moment gets quiet and they are trying hard to assess the scene.
An alert dog might:
Freeze
Watch intently
Pace with fixed vision
Bark
Usually, there’s nothing you need to do in this situation. Your dog will return to their normal self when whatever has held their attention is either gone or starts to bore them.
7. Playful
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Your dog won’t be able to hide when they’re feeling playful! Usually, they make quite a scene trying to taunt and get your attention.
A playful pup might:
Bark
Jump
Run in circles
Crouch
Pounce
Play bow
Bring toys
Every pup shows excitability differently, but there is no mistaking it. Some dogs get the “zoomies” when they’re feeling playful. So, give your dog what they want: playtime! They’ll calm down when they get tuckered out.
8. Affectionate
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Our most favorite of all doggy emotions is probably when they’re being their most lovable. There is no question when they are being sweet.
A dog that wants some love may show these signs:
Show tummy
Licking
Try to climb in your lap
Bumping your hand
Wagging their tail
Demanding pets
So, if you see this type of body language, it’s time for some head pats and baby talk!
Understanding a Dog’s Body Language
The general rule of thumb we like to divvy out is that if the dog seems put off, leave them alone. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the mood to snuggle. If they seem like they just want to be left alone, respect their boundaries, especially if they’re eating or sleeping.
Respecting their boundaries is the first step in creating a healthy bond with your dog. While this can be easy for adults to understand, some kids might have trouble with boundaries and just need a little guidance.
That being said, you are their owner as it is up to you to train them to accept things like examination and nail trims. If your dog seems uncomfortable or reactive in normal situations, speak to a veterinarian or behaviorist about training.
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Dog Body Language With Children
Children and dogs are a pairing that can be tricky to manage. They can get along very well in some instances, and things can go terribly wrong in others. If you have both children and dogs in your home, it is absolutely a must to keep an eye out.
You have to teach your child at every turn how to interact with an animal. Many people think that the family dog should take all the abuse while the kid climbs, pulls, tugs, and screeches at them. No one should ever expect a dog to tolerate all this without reaction.
Remember, if a dog seems uncomfortable or irritated, teach your child to temper down and back off. Alternatively, if the dog is too overbearing, attention needs to be called there as well.
While it is true that dogs should never be aggressive towards children, it’s only to be expected that everyone has a breaking point. As long as the child knows how to interact with the dog appropriately, everyone can stay safe, if not be the best of friends.
Dog Body Language With Other Animals
It is always important to pay attention to your dog’s body language around other animals. If they’re around another dog, it’s important to make sure everyone’s having a good time. If you think that there is an issue, always make sure to intervene.
This doesn’t just apply to interactions. If your dog is prey driven, it is important to know when they plan to act. If they take off after a squirrel and you weren’t anticipating it, it could put them in serious danger especially if they run out into the street after the squirrel.
Understanding your dog’s triggers and responses will only benefit you in every interaction they have with another critter. It’s important to train your dog’s recall skills so they come when you call them or back off of a situation when needed.
Professional Training Benefits
We hear all the time about how professional training benefits our dogs. It makes them more manageable, it curbs bad behaviors, and the list goes on. What we don’t often hear about is how professional training can impact the relationship humans have with their pets.
Here are some benefits that make our lives as human caretakers a little better.
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It Teaches You About Your Dog
Many professional trainers have programs where owners accompany their animals to training classes. This will help you and your dog get acquainted better and bond in a healthy way.
You will learn about your dog’s particular personality, activity level, and intelligence. This will help you better understand their actions and learn how to better cooperate with them for successful results.
It Helps You Establish Leadership
Some dogs can be challenging to handle for more passive people. Dogs are always learning the consequences of their behaviors, and how far they can push the boundaries. You can lead your dog when you can influence their behavior.
This never has to be done with force, and professional trainers should use reliable training techniques including desensitization, positive reinforcement, and counter-conditioning to achieve results.
It Makes Voice Command a Breeze
You will never have to worry about your dog not listening to you after pleading to them with lengthy sentences. You can just say one word and the deed is done. It is far easier to manage a trained dog than one that doesn’t understand boundaries or general obedience.
It Helps You Navigate Social Settings
When you train with your dog, you can see how they react to a variety of situations. This can help you gauge what to do in real life scenarios when you are out in public.
If your dog acts standoffish, happy, irritable, or excited, you can properly judge a situation with strange or unfamiliar faces.
Conclusion
Now you understand a little bit more about dogs and the body language they exhibit. Learning more about your particular dog and their overall actions can help you judge situations in the future.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about connecting with your dog, speak with your vet or consider professional training!
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