Understanding the Secret Language of Dogs

By Laura Pakis, Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Blogger

Understanding dog language may sound a bit like Dr. Dolittle, but there are several reasons why those in the dog profession should learn to read what a dog is saying. Dogs communicate constantly through their bodies — every part, from ears to tail, carries meaning. Here is a complete guide to reading that language.

Why Learn Dog Language?

You become more perceptive

A study from Spain’s University of Pompeu Fabra revealed that multilingual people are better at observing their surroundings. They are more adept at focusing on relevant information and editing out the irrelevant. They’re also better at spotting misleading information. Reading dogs can be considered another language.

You can communicate better

Understanding how a dog expresses feelings through its body postures and knowing how to respond can improve your overall kennel environment as well as help you spot stress and other behavioral issues.

You will be seen as a strong leader

When a dog has a strong leader, it has a calming effect on him. He feels safe and taken care of. In the absence of a strong leader, your dog feels obligated to assume that position in the social hierarchy of the family pack. Since a leader must control all that goes on, his inability to control your leaving causes him stress and anxiety.

Happy and Playful Dogs

Most people can recognize a happy or playful dog. They have relaxed body language.

Happy

Everything about a happy dog is relaxed. You can almost feel the friendliness through his body. All his muscles are relaxed. The ears are in their natural positions. His tail is relaxed or swinging side to side or in a circular motion. Sometimes the entire rear end seems to be moving with the tail. When you look at his face, it isn’t tense. His mouth is closed or slightly opened, many times with the corners turned up as if to smile. Panting is slow and steady. His eyes are bright and open.

Playful

Most people can detect when a dog is feeling playful. All his body movements are jerky and bouncy. Many times they bounce around in exaggerated twists, turns, and leaps. They might try to paw at you, dodge around you, or take off running to encourage you to chase them. Dogs enjoy a variety of play styles, but whenever they play you will see the characteristic “play bow” that’s common across all dogs. When your dog play bows, he bounces into position with his forelegs on the ground and his hind legs extended so that his rear sticks up. This signal tells the dog’s playmate that he is playing and nothing should be taken seriously. A playful dog might also growl or make high-pitched barks that start in the middle range but rise sharply in pitch.

Reading a Dog’s Eyes

Looking at a dog’s eyes, you can see how they vary the size and shape of their eyes as well as their gaze.

Relaxed and happy

Some dogs have round eyes, while others are more almond-shaped. No matter what the shape of the eye, in a relaxed state the dog’s eyes will be their normal shape. The dog will also look at you with a relaxed facial expression.

Frightened or stressed

If your dog’s eyes seem smaller than usual, this can mean he’s feeling frightened or stressed. Dogs who are in pain or not feeling well often look as though they’re squinting. When looking at him, the dog may avert his gaze, signalling submission. It can also indicate that he’s worried about interacting with you. You may also notice a good deal of the whites of his eyes (the sclera).

Aggressive or threatened

Eyes that appear larger than normal usually indicate that a dog is feeling threatened. Aggressive dogs tend to have enlarged pupils as well. If this dog stares directly at you with a tense facial expression, consider it a threat. Should you be in close proximity to such a dog, slowly look away — looking away is what dogs do when they don’t want to appear threatening.

Reading a Dog’s Ears

The size and shape of a dog’s ears will determine how well he can use them to communicate.

Relaxed and happy

When your dog is content and comfortable, he’ll hold his ears naturally. He may raise them higher on his head and cock his head while directing them toward whatever’s holding his interest.

Frightened or submissive

If your dog has his ears pulled back slightly, he’s signalling his intention to be friendly. If his ears are completely flattened or stuck out to the sides of his head, he’s signalling that he’s frightened or feeling submissive.

Aggressive or threatened

A self-confident, aggressive dog will have his ears erect and tilted forward. If the dog is not self-confident, the expression of his face will show aggression and submission simultaneously and his ears will be flattened.

Reading a Dog’s Mouth

Dogs do a lot more with their mouths than bark. The way they position their lips, jaws, and teeth can tell you if they are happy or tense.

Relaxed and happy

When a dog is relaxed and happy, he’s likely to have his mouth closed or slightly open. You may notice him panting or even giving a quick bark.

Frightened or submissive

A dog who’s unsure or feeling submissive will probably have his mouth closed. He may chatter his teeth or have his lips pulled back slightly at the corners. You may also notice this dog flicking his tongue in and out, or licking his lips. He might even yawn in an exaggerated fashion to relieve stress.

Some dogs who are extremely submissive will pull their lips up and display their front teeth (canines and incisors). This gesture is usually accompanied by a lowered head, yelping or whining, and squinting eyes.

Aggressive or threatened

A dog who’s signalling his intention to act aggressively will often retract his lips to expose his teeth. He may pull his lips up vertically to display his front teeth while also wrinkling the top of his muzzle. You may also notice that as you get closer to this dog, he will close his mouth — a warning not to come any closer.

Reading a Dog’s Hair and Fur

Although dogs don’t communicate much with their coat, you can discern some things from a dog’s hair. Many times when your dog is on leash, the hair is the first thing you can observe.

Dogs raise their hair to communicate arousal. This “raising of the hackles” is called “piloerection.” Most often the hair is raised over the withers (where the tops of the shoulder blades meet), but as the dog becomes more aroused they can raise their hair all along their spine and even fluff out their tail. It’s comparable to a person getting goose bumps. Raised hackles usually mean the dog is highly emotional about something.

While raising hackles is an involuntary behavior, it’s not a bad idea to intervene and allow the dog to settle down, according to Robin Bennett, CPDT and Susan Briggs, CKO in Off Leash Dog Play: A Complete Guide to Safety and Fun.

Contrary to raised hackles, a scared or stressed dog is likely to shed more than normal. This “blowing of the coat” happens suddenly. You may have seen this with nervous dogs during boarding stays — their kennels covered in hair.

Fearful and Submissive Dogs

A submissive dog looks very similar to a frightened dog because both make themselves look small to convey that they’re not a threat, but there are differences.

Fearful or scared

A dog that is afraid will do his best to look small. Usually the body is hunched and the tail held low or tucked between the rear legs. You may notice the white around the dog’s eyes. His ears will be flattened back on his head. The dog might cower close to the ground or lean to the side so that he can recoil. Many times the fearful dog will look directly at the source of his fear. All the muscles of his body and face are tense and rigid. He might lick his lips or yawn in an exaggerated way.

Submissive

When a dog is feeling submissive he tries to convey that he’s not a threat. He will make his body look smaller by hunching over or getting low to the ground. His tail will be low or tucked, often rapidly wagging back and forth nervously. The dog will flatten his ears or hold them off to the sides of his head. His neck is kept low to the ground with his muzzle up toward the individual. Most submissive dogs will try to nuzzle or lick the person or animal. He might close his eyes or look away so as not to make direct eye contact. Some dogs will urinate. Others will lie down and roll over on their back to display their stomach. During passive submission, the dog will often lie still or give his paw. You may also hear them whine.