Dog Body Language

How can you tell when a furry friend is uncomfortable, whether they're calm, or why they won't stop wagging their tail? To understand canine behaviour, it's important to first understand how they communicate.

There are countless gestures and signals to decode. That's why, in this article, we're going to give you the main keys to interpreting dogs' body language.

Different Forms of Canine Communication

A dog communicates with their own kind through their body, barking and scent. It's no coincidence their sense of smell is so developed, since this sense gives them a great deal of information about other dogs and about humans.

Through their different types of bark, a dog also expresses how they feel. When they bark, the frequency, tone and duration can vary, each carrying a different meaning.

Even so, it's their body language that will reveal the most about their intentions, framed within a specific context.

To work out what they're trying to tell you, you'll need to pay close attention and watch closely for the signals of their three areas: their body, their face and their tail.

What Kind of Signals Do Dogs Send Us, and What Do They Mean?

When analysing the signals of dogs' rich gestural "vocabulary", we distinguish between:

• Signs of submission. When a dog wants to show submission, a whole set of gestures and sounds typical of this state can be identified. Physically, they'll lie down on the ground, staying very still. Their ears will be pulled back, and they'll avoid direct eye contact at all costs, since it can be read as a challenge. Sometimes they'll also roll onto their back, showing their most vulnerable side.
• Signs of dominance. If the dog wants to show superiority over another dog, they'll push their head forward with their chin held high. Their ears and tail will be raised, chest out, back arched. This is their way of saying "I'm in charge here".
• Fear indicators. These are part of what are known as agonistic signals, which include expressions linked to confrontation or fighting. When a dog is scared, their tail is tucked between their legs protecting their genitals, head down, ears pulled back and back hunched.

• Wanting to play. If a furry friend wants to have fun, they'll also express this intention through affiliative signals, related to affection, interaction and socialising. A dog will quickly let you know they want to play with you, since they won't stay still and won't stop wagging their tail trying to catch your attention. They'll frolic about, bark and show clear excitement, weaving between your legs and lowering the front half of their body in a typical gesture known as a "play bow".
• Signs of anger. On another note, an irritated or angry dog could show signs of aggression if the situation isn't redirected in time. In these cases, the ears will point forward, tail raised, gaze fixed on whatever bothers them, mouth very tense and body leaning forward; they may also bare their teeth and growl or bark, with the fur on their back standing on end.
• Gestures asking for affection. Our furry friend can ask us for cuddles and strokes through their body language. If they're feeling a little down, they'll come looking for you with their ears back. If their ears are forward, it's because they're happy but want more affection from you. In that case they'll wag their tail and raise their eyebrows. And in case you still haven't got the message, they may nudge you gently with their muzzle or paws.
• Stress states. If the dog is on edge, we can identify some gestures pointing to this state. Sneezing and yawning are the most common, but by no means the only ones; they may also sniff around, scratch, shake themselves off, lick their nose or even grind their teeth. All with one purpose: releasing the tension and stress they feel and inducing calm in themselves.
• Comfort or wellbeing behaviours. These appear when their survival needs are covered and they feel safe and happy. This explains why they roll around in the grass, rest fully stretched out with their paws in the air, or sleep in open spaces rather than in a corner. Unlike the rest of the signals, these expressions have no conscious communicative intent. They're simply a clear sign they're comfortable and content with their life.

As you can see, dogs also "talk to us" in their own way, and there's a huge variety of genuinely canine gestures that make sense when seen together. Understanding them is essential for knowing how our furry friend is feeling and what they need. This way, communication between the two of you will improve, and your relationship will grow stronger.

Dogs communicate with us all the time, so tell us: which gestures or signals from your four-legged companion catch your attention the most? Which body expressions do they show most often? We love reading your comments!