Canine Body Language

Many of us go through life with our dogs never really understanding their body language. This is a terrible shame because to the dog, this is the number one form of communication. We as humans have lost the ability to understand minute gestures but to dogs, the smallest head movement or nose lick can speak volumes. So here I outline some of the most frequently used signals that dogs use to avoid conflict and that you can use to communicate with dogs in a way that they understand.

Most of these signals are given by dogs to gesture that they feel uncomfortable with a situation, that they mean no threat and want the other dog to calm down. Each behaviour must be observed an interpreted in the context of the situation, only one may be given or a combination.
Try these if a dog feels uncomfortable in your presence!

Head Turn
To the side or backward, this may be a momentary turn away or last longer.
Often seen when one dog races up to another in the park etc.

Softening the Eyes
Dogs find staring very confrontational. Half closing the eyes indicates friendly intention.

Turning Away
Turning the back or side to another dog. This may be used during play to try and calm another dog as well as when two have a confrontation. Your dog may also do this when you shout at him or jerk him on the lead angrily.
If your dog repeatedly jumps up at you, as soon as you see he is about to do it, turn your back on him and fold your arms in front of you. Keep turning away until he stops trying and then bend down to him and calmly praise him in a happy voice.

Nose / Lip Licking
This may happen so quickly you easily miss it! It shows uncertainty and discomfort with the situation. It may happen on approach from a dog or human, when you hug your dog too tight or talk to him angrily etc.

Yawning
This is a clear indication of uncertainty or stress. A friend of mine used to think his dog was ‘showing her teeth’ when he told her off and she yawned and so got more annoyed, in fact she was telling him she was uncomfortable and to please calm down!

Freezing
Standing, sitting or lying down without moving a muscle until the other dog or person moves away.

Moving Slowly
Very slow movements can have a very calming effect on dogs - moving as if in slow motion. They use it to communicate with each other frequently. If you are calling your dog to you and sound annoyed you may think he is being stubborn by coming slowly and sniffing the ground. In actual fact he is trying to appease you and calm you down in dog language!

Curving
In dog language, approaching another head on is rude and confrontational! Well socialized dogs will know this and approach in a curve instead. Bear this in mind when you shout at your dog to come and he curves rather than coming straight to you. Doing this will also help when you approach a nervous or aggressive dog, especially combined with the other calming signals.

Play Bow
This can be an invitation to play especially if it is accompanied by bounding about and excited barking. However if the dog is standing still it is likely that it is a friendly calming signal if the dog feels a little insecure about the situation. You can do this yourself by stretching your arms towards the ground.

Sitting Down
If a dog sits on the approach of another dog or sits with its back to you it means he is uncomfortable with the situation. Lying down is a stronger signal. If your dog is nervous of strangers ask guests to avoid eye contact or talking to the dog and sit down. Your dog will find this much more reassuring and approach if and when he feels brave enough. However ask them to keep body language side on and let the dog make the moves.

Lying Down
If your dog lies down belly up he is signaling submission and wants you to back off. If a strange dog does this it is a clear message to back off and if ignored he may feel frightened enough to lash out.
If he lies down on his front in a stressful situation it may well be an attempt to calm things down.
Sniffing
Obviously this is a major doggy pastime and so the sniffing has to be interpreted in the context of the situation. Dogs will sniff the ground for a prolonged period or just momentarily can be used when dogs feel uncomfortable around each other, or in fact their humans.

Tail Wagging
Be warned, tail wagging is not always a sign of a happy friendly dog! What it means depends very much on what the rest of his body language is doing.



Rugas T (2006) On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals: Dogwise Publishing