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How well do you understand your pet?
Even so, their body language is very different to ours as they have fours and a tail. It is hugely before they become worse. It is beneficial to observe your dog’s movements and actions, allowing you to understand them better.
This also allows you to recognise discomfort or stress and to respond to potentially uncomfortable situations.
Here are 10 ways your dog might be trying to communicate with you:
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Eye contact
Dogs tend to communicate in subtle ways through facial expressions, and specifically so with their eyes. Constant eye contact with your dog is their way of showing their affection and trust towards you. On the other hand, avoiding eye contact is a sign that your dog is scared, uncomfortable or even cowering after doing something naughty.
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Tail posture
Tail movement is still one of the most widely recognisable forms of communication when it comes to dogs. Apart from joyful tail wagging, a dog’s tail can communicate a whole other range of emotions. A stiff tail held high means your dog is on high alert. A slow wagging tail means your dog is feeling cautious.
A low tail means your dog is feeling content, while a tail tucked in between the legs means your dog is feeling afraid. When your dog is wagging his tail vigorously enough to make his whole butt or body wiggle, well then you know, he is absolutely elated to see you!
Sneezing and yawning
Dogs sometimes try to communicate with us by sneezing and yawning unnecessarily. This could mean that your dog is uncomfortable and stressed, most often around new pets and people. Dogs, however, also yawn when they feel content, which can make this quite confusing. The key is to look for misplaced yawning in unfamiliar circumstances.
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Belly exposure
Dogs try and communicate with the rest of their bodies, not just their face and tails. If your pup rolls over and bares his belly to you, he is initiating this gesture to appease you. A belly rub is always welcome too! Rolling over is also used as a way to communicate with other dogs, as it is a sign of passive resistance to a perceived threat.
Play bowing
A play bow is when your dog faces you or another dog and dives into a bow with his front legs on the ground and his butt in his air. This is his way of communicating that it is playtime.
Raising a paw
When your dog wants your attention they may raise a paw and touch you. You probably have experienced this when you’re sitting working or watching TV and your dog approaches you to put a paw on your knee.
Freezing
Have you ever approached your dog with a bone or other chew toy and notice that they suddenly freeze mid chew upon noticing you? Freezing in the middle of an action is your dog’s way of communicating to you that they are feeling uncertain and want to be left alone. It’s best to rather give your dog its space so it can enjoy its bone in peace.
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Bringing things to you
Every now and again your dog might bring you a ball, a stick or another toy. Often, this is seen as an invitation to play, which it usually is. However, if your dog brings you one of his favourite toys and drops it at your feet, it could be quite likely he or she is giving it to you as a gift. This in turn is your dog’s way of showing you affection by sharing his or her favourite toy with you.
Leaning against you
This is your dog’s way of showing they’d like to cuddle with you. This is the best way to show affection to his favourite human, as unfortunately, he can’t physically hug you!
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Communicating with the ears
There are certainly many different types of dog ears, depending upon the breed. There are triangular ears, long floppy ones, and rounded ears. While the actual variety of ears may look quite unique on dogs, the messages that they are delivering are very similar.
A dog whose head goes to the side, pricks up their ears and stand at attention is alert and curious. If the ears are slightly back, the dog is illustrating an attempt to be friendly. Conversely, a dog whose ears have gone flat and all the way back is communicating submission and fear. The further back a dog’s ears are the more afraid and fearful they are.
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All dogs are different
While these methods of communication are common in most breeds, keep in mind that not all dogs are the same. It’s best to observe your pups’ movements, mannerisms and habits so that you too can understand what certain behaviours mean.
Paw five! Woof!