Understanding the Body Language of Dogs: A Guide to Canine Communication
Like us, dogs use a complex system of nonverbal communication to express emotions, intentions, and responses. Through postures, expressions and vocalisations, dogs convey how they’re feeling and what they want. Learning to understand this language allows us to interact with them more effectively and strengthens our bond. Here are 8 areas of behaviour to look out for:
1. Tail Position and Movement: A Telltale Signal
The tail is one of the most noticeable ways a dog conveys mood. Different positions and movements can reflect a wide range of emotions:
High Tail: A tail held high typically signifies confidence, excitement, or alertness, though a rigidly upright tail can indicate dominance or aggression. Coren (2004) discusses the high tail as a signal of a dog’s readiness to engage, whether playfully or assertively.
Neutral or Low Tail: When a dog’s tail is relaxed, it usually signals calmness. However, a low or tucked tail is often a sign of fear, anxiety, or submission (Horowitz, 2009).
Wagging Tail: Not all wagging is friendly. A fast, broad wag generally signals friendliness, whereas a slow, stiff wag might indicate hesitation or unease (Bradshaw, 2011). The direction of the wag also matters; according to Quaranta, Siniscalchi, and Vallortigara (2007), dogs tend to wag their tails more to the right when feeling positive and to the left when anxious.
2. Ear Position: Listening Closely
Ear movements and positions reflect curiosity, stress, or comfort:
Ears Forward: Pointed-forward ears often indicate curiosity or interest, typically seen when a dog is investigating a new object or sound (Horowitz, 2009).
Ears Flattened: When a dog’s ears are pulled back or flattened, this usually signals fear or submission. In some contexts, it can indicate stress or a sense of threat, as outlined by Bradshaw (2011).
3. Eye Contact and Eye Shape: The Window to Emotions
Dogs communicate a lot through their eyes, and interpreting their gaze can provide insights into their mood:
Whale Eye: This is a term describing when a dog shows the whites of its eyes, possibly due to stress or discomfort. It can indicate tension, and that the dog needs more space (Horowitz, 2009). This has been particularly noted in shelter environments, where signs like whale eye, yawning, and lip licking indicate stress (Hiby, Rooney, & Bradshaw, 2004). The amount of sclera presenting (the white around the eyes) does however differ between breeds.
Mutual Gaze: Nagasawa et al. (2015) found that when dogs and their owners gaze into each other’s eyes, both experience an increase in oxytocin, reinforcing social bonding. This mutual gaze is seen as a way for dogs to connect with and show affection towards their humans.
Direct Stare: Softer, indirect gazes usually indicate relaxation (Coren, 2004). A prolonged, direct gaze can be perceived as a threat, both between dogs and towards humans, although is often a mistaken perception.
4. Mouth Position and Expression: Read Between the Lips
A dog’s mouth can indicate levels of comfort or discomfort:
Open Mouth, Relaxed Expression: This relaxed position generally signals calmness or friendliness (Bradshaw, 2011).
Closed Mouth, Tense Lips: When the mouth is closed and the lips are tight, the dog may be experiencing stress, discomfort, or fear, potentially indicating a readiness to protect itself if needed (Coren, 2004).
5. Body Posture: Communicating Intent
Body posture is a major component of dog communication, especially when it comes to play, fear, or asserting dominance:
Play Bow: This classic gesture, where the dog lowers its front end and raises its rear, signals a playful invitation and clarifies that any following actions are meant in good fun. Bekoff (1995) emphasised the significance of this signal as a way to maintain social bonds and reduce misunderstandings. The lowering includes an element of submission.
Stiff Body Posture: A tense, rigid body posture often suggests heightened alertness or agitation, which could precede defensive actions (Horowitz, 2009).
Rolling Over: When a dog rolls onto its back, it often signals submission, though it’s not always an invitation for petting, particularly if the dog appears wary or tense (Coren, 2004).
6. Vocalisations and Sounds: More than Barking
Dogs use a range of vocal sounds to communicate different needs and emotions:
Barking: Dogs bark for various reasons, including alerting, greeting, and expressing excitement. Yin and McCowan (2004) found that specific bark tones and frequencies can convey different messages, suggesting that barking is a more complex communication tool than previously thought.
Growling: Growling usually indicates discomfort or defensiveness, though in play it can be soft and accompanied by relaxed body language, as Coren (2004) noted.
Whining: This sound often signifies distress, neediness, or excitement. Puppies use whining to communicate with their mothers, but adults also use it to request attention (Horowitz, 2009).
7. Pawing and Physical Contact: Reaching Out
Dogs use physical gestures to interact with us and communicate their needs:
Pawing at You: This is often a request for attention, especially in breeds prone to pawing as a communication tool. It can also signify submission or affection (Yin, 2012).
Leaning or Pressing Against You: Physical closeness, such as leaning or pressing, shows trust and often affection. In some cases, it may also indicate a need for reassurance (Bradshaw, 2011).
8. Yawning and Lip Licking: Calming Signals
Dogs often use these gestures to self-soothe and reduce tension:
Yawning: Besides tiredness, yawning can be a sign of stress or a calming signal, allowing the dog to self-soothe (Coren, 2004).
Lip Licking: This behaviour is common when dogs feel discomfort, tension, or even anticipation. In social situations, the lip licking can ease tension (Horowitz, 2009).
Conclusion
Learning the language of dogs enhances our interactions and allows for more meaningful connections. Recognising signals such as tail position, ear movement, and gaze direction offers insight into a dog’s mood and intentions. Although every dog is unique and may express emotions differently, and there are different breed tendencies, understanding the general patterns of canine body language helps strengthen the bond between humans and dogs.
References
Bekoff, M. (1995). Play signals as punctuation: The structure of social play in canids. Behaviour, 132(5/6), 419-429.
Bradshaw, J. (2011). In Defence of Dogs: Why Dogs Need Our Understanding. Penguin.
Coren, S. (2004). How to Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication. Simon & Schuster.
Hiby, E., Rooney, N., & Bradshaw, J. (2004). Behavioural and physiological responses of dogs to kennelling: Investigating stress indicators. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 7(4), 239-252.
Horowitz, A. (2009). Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. Scribner.
Merola, I., Prato-Previde, E., & Marshall-Pescini, S. (2012). Dogs’ social referencing towards owners and strangers. PLoS One, 7(10), e47653.
Nagasawa, M., et al. (2015). Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds. Science, 348(6232), 333-336.
Quaranta, A., Siniscalchi, M., & Vallortigara, G. (2007). Asymmetric tail-wagging responses by dogs to different emotive stimuli. Current Biology, 17(6), R199-R201.
Yin, S., & McCowan, B. (2004). Barking in domestic dogs: Context specificity and individual identification. Animal Behaviour, 68(2), 343-355.
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