Photo by foxypar4

Sometimes it is difficult to read your pup’s body language. Here are a few tips on how to read and understand your dog’s body language, as well as a few helpful hints on how to react to what your dog is telling you through their actions.

For starters, you will want to begin by watching and studying your dog. Go ahead and take your dog to a park, and see how other dogs are acting; pay attention to what they doing, and consider why they are doing what they do.

This takes time and practice, but the more time you invest in studying the body language of dogs, the more you and your dog will benefit from Rover’s communication techniques.

First we will look at body language relating to when your pup is stressed and is trying to calm down. Usually, when your dog is worried, they will usually shiver, whine or cry, and you may see the whites of their eyes.

Some ways dogs deal with anxiety is by licking their lips, walking slowly in circles, or panting. A good way to help calm your dog is by stroking them from their head to their rump, while speaking softly and reassuringly.

Next, if your dog is being aggressive, they will bar their lips back and sometimes snarl or bark. They will also display “hackles,” that is, raised hair on their back between their shoulder blades and sometimes right above their tail. Most of the time their ears will be pulled back and sometimes the whites of their eyes will show.

Usually when a dog is aggressive, it is because they feel the need to protect someone or something, or they feel like another dog has provoked them. The best way to deal with your dog when they are showing signs of aggression is to remove them from situation. However, it is a good idea to refrain from touching your dog, as this might cause them to startle and snap at you.

The next type of common doggie body language is a display of either confidence or fear. When a dog is feeling confident, they may prance around with their head held high, their tail relaxed and raised, and a relaxed mouth with their lips gently falling over their teeth.

If a dog is fearful, their ears may be pulled back, the whites of their eyes will show, and their head will not be raised. Other body language that displays fear is also a lowered head and body, and some dogs are known to hide behind your legs, under the bed, or under the table.

The final kind of body language is when your dog wants to play with another dog, or just simply wants to say “hi.” If your dog is initiating playtime with another dog, you will usually see your dog paw the air (this is prominent in puppies) or perform a classic bow by lowering their head and bending their front paws. Sometimes a friendly swat or sniff is present as well.

When playing with other dogs occurs, go ahead and let your dog do what seems appropriate to them. However, if you feel that your dog is being overwhelmed or is overwhelming their playmate, feel free to intervene for a short “breather” or “time-out.”

Reading your dog’s body language is a process, but hopefully it will be an interesting and beneficial experience for the both of you. Remember, the more you study your dog’s movements, the more you will understand and the easier it will be for you to communicate with your pup!

Tags: Dog Body Language

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