Our dogs are always communicating with us and with each other using their body language, but it can be easy to misunderstand what they are saying if we don’t know what to look for. Whether they are happy and relaxed, guarding a resource, or attempting to express dominance, understanding what a dog’s body language is saying can help a person know how to interact with them safely. Scroll through the images below, read their accompanying explanations, and you will have a basic understanding of the body language dogs use to communicate.
SCARED and/or STRESSED: Tail is tucked under his body, Head is hiding, Ears are lowered. Scared: Hiding under the furniture, head is lowered, ears are lowered, widen eyes (whale eyes, half-moon eyes) Dominant: Ears held forward and high, tail is erect, shoulder bumping the other dog Happy and relaxed: Mouth is relaxed and appears to be smiling, eyes and ears are soft and relaxed, laying down Resource Guarding: Mouth is tightly gripping bone, Whale eye (whites of eyes are showing), Ears lowered and tilted back Alert and/or Aggressive: Ears held high and alert, Body is very still, Tail may be stiff and wagging slowly Scared and/or stressed: Widen eyes (Whale eyes), head lowered, earls tilted back, this dog if pushed further may bite Scared and/or Stressed: Ears lowered, body pulling away from situation, one paw lifted Scared and/or Stressed: Ears tilted back, head lowered, Widened eyes (Whale eye), avoiding eye contact Happy and relaxed: Mouth is relaxed and appears to be smiling, eyes and ears are soft and relaxed, lying down Scared and/or stressed: Widen eyes (Whale eye), Ears tilted back and lowered, Head turning away Unsure and/or Stressed: Ears tilted back, Head turning away, Yawning Uncomfortable and/or stressed: Ears tilted back, eyes squinting (almost whale eye/half moon eye) AGGRESSIVE: Lips and nose curled, Teeth showing, These dogs may bite if approached Scared, Alert or aggressive: Ears tilted back, body is very still, complete situation must be observed Scared and/or stressed: Eyebrows are furrowed, Ears tilted back Happy and relaxed: Mouth is relaxed and appears to be smiling, Eyes and ears are soft and relaxed, Laying down RESOURCE GUARDING: Mouth is slightly open, paws appear to be guarding food bowl, Head lowered, Ears lowered Aggressive: Lips and nose are curled, teeth are showing, Body is lunging, This dog will bite if approached Scared and/or stressed: Widened eyes (whale eyes) ears tilted backwards, head turned, body is stiff SCARED and/or STRESSED: Widened Eyes (Whale eye, or half-moon eye), Ears are tilted back, paws are spread apart with nails extruding Scared and/or stressed: head is turned away, ears lowered, one paw lifted UNCOMFORTABLE and/or STRESSED: Eyes squinting, Ears tilted backwards, Head lowered Dominant and/or aggressive: Ears held forward and high, shoulder bumping other dog, teeth showing Dominant: Tail is erect, paw is on other dog’s shoulder, Hackles slightly raised SCARED and/or STRESSED: Widened eyes (Whale eye), Ears tilted backwards Unsure and/or stressed: Head lowered, Eyebrows forward, quick licking of nose Happy and Relaxed: Mouth is open and relaxed, rolling over on back Scared and/or Stressed- Tail is tucked under his body
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