Understanding Dogs’ Non-Verbal Communications

Since dogs can’t talk it is important to learn how they do communicate without words.  Understanding the non-verbal language that dogs use to communicate will help us to live with our furry friends in a peaceful manner.  It will also help us to decide how, and if, to approach dogs that we don’t know.  There are several ways that dogs communicate how they are feeling with their body language, just as humans reveal the truth about how they feel with body language.  When examining a dog’s body language you should look at:

• The ears
• The eyes
• The mouth and/or teeth
• The body
• The tail
• The stance (how the dog is standing)

You’ll see many variations in those five body parts and those variations can give you hints as to what kind of mood the dog is in.

First, let’s look at the non-verbal communication signals that dogs send when they are in a good mood and ready to be approached.  The dog will typically look very relaxed.  The dog’s tail will be down and the ears will be up (but not forward).  It will hold its head high and the mouth may be slightly open with its tongue hanging out but the teeth will not be exposed.  When they are in a good mood and are open to being approached or for having some fun they will have a loose stance that appears relaxed and the feet will be flat on the floor. 

If they want to play the dog may lower the front of its body slightly and wag its tail in a casual manner.  The eyes will be wide open and alert and may appear to be sparkling or, as some say, laughing.  You can tell a lot about a dog by looking at their eyes but since it can be difficult to tell sometimes, you should always look at the combination of non-verbal signals that the dog is sending. 

If a dog has most or all of these body signals it is likely safe to approach.  But remember that dogs don’t always know their own power and can get carried away so guard young children so that they don’t get accidentally hurt by an over-excited dog.

Everyone should know how to read the signals of a dog that is feeling threatened, is aggressive, or is ready to attack.  You should always be aware when you are around a dog you are not familiar.  Dogs are influenced by many outside factors so the ability to read any dogs signal can save your life.  The same body signals should be observed:  the eyes, ears, tail, body, mouth and/or teeth, and stance. 

When the ears are pointed forward and spread slightly in a V shape it indicates that the dog is aggressive and signaling that if it is challenged it is likely to react aggressively.  Flattened ears are also a sign of aggressiveness and may also indicate that it is fearful, stressed, or distressed.  Ears might also be perked up and not yet forward so watch for other signals. 

The mouth can reveal more about a potentially dangerous situation.  Dogs often curl their lips back and bare their teeth or gums if they are dominantly assertive or fearful and aggressive.  They may be panting or snapping in advanced stages of hostility. 

When a dog is dominantly aggressive the tail will be fairly straight and pointing up but if they are stressed, distressed, or anxious it will be down between their legs.  When combined with other aggressive signals, both tail positions should be a warning. 

They eyes will narrow if they are fearful or feeling threatened but if they are feeling dominant or ready to attack they will be wide open and alert. 

Finally, the stance of the dog should give you the last signals you need to detect danger.  The body is generally rigid and they will lower the front end of the body in a pouncing stance. 

When you see a combination of more than two or three of these body signals you are likely dealing with a dog that is feeling threatened and is ready to protect itself with an attack or a dog that is fearful, stressed, or worried and may attack if further provoked or threatened.

Understanding a dog’s non-verbal cues can help you to decide whether to stay clear or move in for some play.  No matter how well you think you know a dog and no matter how friendly a dog is known to be, you should be aware of the non-verbal signals that dogs use to communicate.  When you understand that dogs have moods that are very similar to humans’ moods you’ll pay more attention to the non-verbal cues that your dog, or someone else’s dog, is sending you.

published 2 years ago

DMcGaw

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