Dog Body Language 101
You know dogs don’t speak but do you know that dogs use their bodies to communicate called dog body language. If you’re a dog owner of few years, you probably have no problem reading body signals. But for new dog owners can be a challenging feat.
Here’s a quick list of common dog’s signal translate to words to help you understand your dog better.
- Crouching — I’m afraid
- Ears back and down— I’m sorry
- Head tilted — I wonder why
- Paw out — I’m begging or I want something
- Rear end up (play bow) — I wanna play
- Tail down — I’m tired or I’m sad or I’m under the weather
- Tail up — I’m feeling okay
- Tail under legs — I’m very upset
- Tail between legs and crouching — I’m terrified
- Tail wagging — I’m very happy
- Tail arched or straight — I’m anxious or I’m angry
- Hair on neck up — I’m really mad
- Glaring eyes — I wanna my space or leave me alone
- Rolls over on back — I surrender or you’re my boss
- Pushes up against you — I wanna say hi or I like you
- Rub body against yours repeatedly — I wanna others (dogs) to know that you belong to me.
May 16th 2008
8:21 PM
I’m sorry – but I have to disagree with some of these. In general, most of these are okay, but, a wagging tail certainly does not always mean “I’m very happy”. When I first got my dog from the pound, at around 2 years old, he was very aggressive. Whenever he stressed out about something he would hold his ears back and down (more I’m afraid, or I’m not sure) and at the same time wag his tail. In this case, tail wagging can indeed be a display of negative, not positive feelings.
Here’s a great article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/science/24wag.html?em&ex=1178078400&en=8de41964f5316509&ei=5087
I’ve also been told, and knowing my dogs behaviors, I concede, that a dog leaning up against you can also be a strong show of dominance. A dog must not be allowed to dominate you, so if your dog typically shows other dominance traits, I would advise you to not allow your dog to lean against you. This is the same as when they push or shove you to pet them. They are commanding you to pet them, and if you choose to, you are rewarding this behavior.
Other than that, I fully agree with the lsit.