Dogs use face and body language to communicate, just like humans. But since dogs have four legs and a tail, their body language is very different from ours. Taking the time to observe your dog’s movements and actions can be hugely beneficial to you and your dog’s happiness, allowing you to recognize stress or discomfort, and respond to potential problems before they get worse.
Here are 9 ways dogs communicate with you:
#9. Eye contact
Dogs communicate in subtle ways with their faces, specifically with their eyes. Constant eye contact from your dog is his way of showing his trust and affection towards you. Think of it as an understated ‘I love you.’ Avoiding eye contact, on the other hand, is a sign that your dog is uncomfortable, scared, or cowering after doing something naughty.
#8. Tongue flicking
Tongue flicks are often driven by anxiety and a desire to appease the owner or avoid conflict, but they don’t mean your dog knows he’s been “naughty” and is sorry. Dogs can certainly read our body language and may get worried or anxious if we seem upset, but this is not the same thing as feeling guilty or understanding that they’ve done something wrong. dog care plan
#7. Tail posture
Perhaps the most widely recognized form of dog communication is tail movement. In addition to the joyful wagging tail, a dog’s tail can communicate a range of other emotions. For example, a slow wagging means your dog is feeling cautious, and a stiff tail held high means your dog is on alert. A low tail means your pup is feeling content, but a tucked tail means he is feeling scared. If your dog is wagging his tail vigorously enough to make his butt to wiggle (we all know what I’m talking about), he’s elated to see you!
#6. Sneezing and yawning
Dogs sometimes try to communicate with us by sneezing and yawning unnecessarily. A misplaced sneeze or yawn means that your dog is uncomfortable and stressed, often around new pets or people. Believe it or not, humans do this when they feel uncomfortable too! This can get confusing because dogs also yawn when they are feeling content around you. The key is to look for misplaced yawning in unfamiliar circumstances.
#5. Play bowing
If your dog faces you and dives into a bow with his front legs on the ground and his butt in the air, this is known as the play bow and it’s your dog’s way of telling you that it is playtime. If you want to make your dog’s day, try play bowing back at him! Your basic downward dog yoga pose will do the trick, and your pup will be grateful that you’re trying to speak his language.
#4. Belly exposure
In addition to face and tail movement, dogs also try to communicate using the rest of their body. If your pup rolls over and bares his belly to you, he is initiating this gesture to appease you (but a belly rub is always welcome!) Dogs also communicate with each other this way, rolling over as a sign of passive resistance to a perceived threat.
#3. Freezing
Have you ever approached your dog with a bone and noticed the way he suddenly freezes mid-chew upon noticing you? Freezing in the middle of the action is a clear way dogs communicate that they are feeling uncertain and want to be left alone. If your dog freezes mid-chew, or in the middle of another action, it’s best to honor his wishes and give him some space.
#2. Raising a paw
Dogs communicate that they want attention by raising a paw and touching you. You probably see this most often when you’re sitting and your dog approaches you to put a paw on your knee. In puppies, this is communicated by pawing the air repeatedly.
#1. Leaning against you
If your dog is leaning against you, this is your dog’s way of trying to cuddle with you. Unfortunately, he physically can’t hug you, so cuddling against you is the best way to show affection for his favorite human!
