Learn how to read a dog’s body language to best understand their needs.
When taking your dog into public, you should feel confident about how to read their behavior and that of the dogs around them. We explore eight of the most common signals dogs can give off and how to spot them.
Dogs communicate with one another through body language and movement of their eyes, ears, tails, and mouths. Not only can understanding this language help you understand what your dog needs at home, but it can also help you gauge their mood and remove them from potentially uncomfortable situations.
When a dog is relaxed, they’ll typically have an open, smiley mouth and loose movements. They’ll often wag their tail loosely to and fro and have relaxed, neutral ears.
Dogs uncomfortable in a situation or around another animal or person will often lick their lips excessively and have their ears pinned back. They may shake or be stock still and may give what we call the “whale eye,” where their head turned slightly while their eyes are fixed on a subject. That leaves some of the whites of their eyes visible.
If a dog is stressed, they may also show off the “whale eye” alongside dilated pupils, tucked ears, and even excessive panting and yawning. They may pace, avoid eye contact, or try to hide. Some dogs, when stressed, can even lash out with sudden aggression.
A dog exhibiting assertive behaviors differs from a dog being aggressive. Assertion in dogs presents with a stiffer body and tail up at attention. The dog’s ears are up and alert, and their body weight is on their toes. They may growl or bare teeth.
A dog that’s feeling submissive will lower their body closer to the ground and may even offer their belly up. If standing, their tail will be down or tucked, as will their ears. They may whine or lift their paw up and down.
Dogs can be scared for multiple reasons; typically, their body language shows it. That includes tucked ears and tails, and cowering or shaking in their bodies. They may avoid eye contact and whine excessively or lick and yawn.
Playful pups will have rapid, jerky movements similar to bouncing. They’ll also have a raised wagging tail and play bow—think downward dog! They may have a lighter bark and the,ir ears may be up and forward.
A dog showing signs of defensive aggression may have a direct stare or exhibit the “whale eye.” Their tails may be up with puckered lips, or an open mouth with exposed teeth.
It’s important to know when your dog has had enough. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Dogs are adorable, but it's important to respect other people’s boundaries about touching or interacting with their pets. Pet owners should have boundaries and stick to them when out in public. Not only will this ensure consistency for you and those around you, but it will give your dog consistency as well. By becoming better attuned to how dogs react to situations, you can be a better steward for your pet and others. Paying attention to how a dog reacts can also prevent any serious injuries or other issues from occurring, such as bites.
“Most dogs will give a warning before acting aggressive or biting. Watch for more subtle signs such as tensing up and hunched posture, turning away from you or another dog, or subtle lifting of their lip. Most bites can be prevented if behaviors like these are noticed.” - Dr. Jennifer Schott
Socialization is a huge part of a dog’s education in how to act around other people and animals. That’s why it’s incredibly important to start early; if you weren’t able to when they were puppies, it’s never too late to start.
The best advice we can give is to go slow. Rushing the socialization process is a disservice to your dog as they try to learn how best to interact with objects, animals, and people they’re unfamiliar with. So take your time with it and don’t be discouraged if you experience setbacks.
Knowing what a dog’s physical reaction means can help you as a dog owner respect their boundaries and ensure that they aren’t in situations that aren’t a good experience for them.
While it’s always good to be attuned to your dog’s body language at home, it's even more important when taking them out in public. This protects not only you and your dog’s well-being, but that of those around you. For dogs that are larger or have a strong bite force, this is critical.
Without proper socialization and without an owner’s full understanding of dog behavior, these larger, more powerful dogs can accidentally cause damage to those around them. Pay close attention to all reactions to different stimuli and triggers, and do your best to stay alert when out in public with your pup.
They may stare, cower, have their tail tucked, or excessively pant. We explored other signs of stress and anxiety in dogs and what they look like, including shaking and drooling.
That’s a sign of happiness and relaxation! It means they’re comfortable around you.
It’s how your dog communicates with those around them. Their tails, ears, eyes, mouths, and bodies as a whole can indicate how they’re feeling.
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