Understanding dog body language can help strengthen your relationship with your pup, reduce the chances of miscommunication, and feel confident as a pet parent. Let's break down the messages your dogs are sending you, one wag at a time.
Reading Your Dog's Body Language: What to Look For
Dogs don’t come with words, but their bodies can tell you volumes. From their floppy ears to their waggy tails, here is an overview of what your pup may be saying:
Ears: Little Mood Antennas
Your dog's ears are like mood thermometers—they change with their every whim.
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Ears forward and alert? Your pup is engaged, curious, or excited.
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Ears pulled back or flat against head? This could mean fear, anxiety, or submission.
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One ear up and one ear down? Often indicative of curiosity or mixed emotion (and adorable!).
Trainer Tip: "Be aware of how your dog's ears rest in general. Each dog breed uses their ears differently. What is 'neutral' for a Lab may not mean as much for a German Shepherd." — Alex Ramirez, Certified Dog Trainer
Eyes: Windows to the Pup Soul
Your dog's eyes can tell you lots more than you think.
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Soft, squinty, heard-eye? That's a relaxed, happy dog.
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Wide, tense, with a lot of white (whale-eye)? Your pup may be nervous or feeling threatened.
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Hard stare, direct eye-contact? Often a warning; your dog is either uncomfortable or is guarding something.
Vet Insight: "Dogs rarely stare aggressively without context. Pay attention to what other signals you see too, it's all about the whole picture." — Dr. Karen Lee, DVM
Mouth: More than just bark-ing
A dog's mouth is expressive—even when they're not making sound.
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Relaxed, slightly open and lolling tongue? Your dog is relaxed.
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Tightly closed mouth or lip licking? Signs of discomfort or anxiety.
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Showing teeth with curled lip? This is a warning—give them space.
Pro Tip: Yawning, may lead you to think your pup is bored, actually can be a calming signal in stressful situations.
Every Dog is Special—Just Like You
Remember: your dog's "normal" may look a little different than another dog's. The goal is t learn your dog's language and to look at the whole dog—not just one signal!
Tell Us: What is your dog's language?
In our dog's life, have you had a moment when you finally "got" what your dog was trying to say? We want to hear it! Share in the comments below or check out more of our pet-friendly guides.
Let’s keep learning—after all, every tail-wag, ear-twitch, and silly grin brings us one step closer to understanding our best friends!
