Your dog’s body language can say a lot about his state of mind. Here we show you the signs to look out for and their potential meaning.
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Not everyone is lucky enough to have Dr. Doolittle, Who had a knack for communicating with animals. We are reduced, for our part, to detect the signs of the behavior of dogs and to decode their body language, in order to try to understand their state of mind.
This is especially important if the dog’s behavioral disorders or body language is not normal. In this article, we present some of the most common signs of canine behavior, Which could possibly indicate that something is wrong.
Happy and Relaxed
Let’s start with the body language of a happy dog. The most important thing is that the dog looks relaxed and not tense – mouth slightly open, ears in normal position, eyes normally open. And of course, a light flapping of the tail is usually a good sign as well (note, however, that when a dog wags its tail, that doesn’t always mean it’s happy – see below).
But what are the signs that can characterize a sad, nervous, or angry dog? Below is a list of the most common signs exhibited by dogs and what they typically mean.
Eyes
The eyes appear larger than usual: A dog’s eyes can appear dilated when he feels threatened or aggressive.
Strabismus: Dogs who are not feeling well may appear to be squinting.
Ears
Ears straight/Erect: This is usually a sign that your dog is ready and ready for action. He turns his ears to whatever catches his attention. But beware, it can also be a sign of aggression.
Ears folded back: If his ears are only slightly folded back, It is undoubtedly that he is simply happy. But if his ears are completely flattened or drooping to the sides, It probably means he’s scared or submitting (this does not apply for animals with droopy ears.
Mouth and Teeth
Yawning dog: That could just mean he’s tired, But when a dog yawns a lot, it can also be a sign of stress.
Dog licking his lips, licking and drooling. Many dogs do this often, but if a dog does it very frequently, it can be a sign of nervousness or stress.
Dog with a closed mouth: This is usually a sign that your dog is ready and ready for action.
Open Teeth, Growling Dog: This is a typical way for a dog to tell you (or another dog or animal) not to approach. A dog that shows its intention to be aggressive often puckers its lips to bar its teeth while frowning the tip of its muzzle.
Dog biting or pinching: This is a clear warning and an incentive to back away which usually means the dog feels threatened. It is also a very common behavior in puppies. Try to teach your puppy not to do this as early as possible.
The dog that bites and does not let go: This reflects a desire to do harm and can be a sign of an attacking dog or of a ferocious dog. Consult your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer to ensure your safety and that of your pet.
Tail
Tail low/tail between the legs: Your dog may be uncomfortable, nervous, or fearful.
Tail in the Air: A tail in the air usually suggests that the dog is feeling confident or excited.
Dog wagging its tail: It depends, You can usually decipher this behavior from your dog’s general attitude. If he is relaxed or excited, it is a sign of happiness. If he has a defensive posture, a tense face, and barks a lot, he may be over-excited or frustrated, and you should be on your guard when approaching him.
Body posture
Body frozen: This is a common attitude in dogs when assessing a situation to know if they should fight or flee.
Hunched / Tiny dog: This means that the animal feels a sense of fear or that it is submitting. Sometimes a dog has this kind of behavior when faced with a more dominant dog.
Well-trained / Growing dog: This can be a sign of self-confidence or aggression.
