Canine Body Language
Canine Body Language is an elaborate sophisticated set of body postures, facial expressions and eye movements. Dogs use these signals to communicate fear, anxiety, excitement, happiness and aggression.
Many people (especially children) are bitten every year. However, many of these bites could be prevented had the child, or the supervising adult been able to read canine body language.
Dogs in the wild want to avoid conflict. If a dog is injured as a result of a fight, he/she will be unable to find food and defend themselves against other threats. As a result they have established a complex communication system, using often subtle signals. With practice you will be able to observe and learn to read this language. Reading canine body language will help you to be able to understand your dog, read their emotional state and feelings, and predict what he/she may be likely to do. By doing this, you will be able to intervene when needed, remove your dog from a situation in which he/she is uncomfortable and hopefully reduce any confrontational incident.
There are at least 30 signals that dogs use (probably more).
Head Turning:
This can be a quick movement or a prolonged movement. It can be small, or the dog may turn their whole head. By turning the head, the dog diverts a direct gaze.
Dogs will often use head turning when approached by another dog/person or with a direct stare. This is used to indicate that they are feeling uncomfortable.
Whale Eye/Half-moon eye:
Indicates a dog is fearful or uncomfortable – a form of looking away – often associated with a head turn or body turn.
Turning Away:
Turning away to show a side or back is an obvious signal that a dog may not be feeling comfortable about a situation. You may notice your dog turns his back on you if you speak harshly to him. He is not trying to be rude, this is a displacement signal.
Many people (especially children) are bitten every year. However, many of these bites could be prevented had the child, or the supervising adult been able to read canine body language.
Dogs in the wild want to avoid conflict. If a dog is injured as a result of a fight, he/she will be unable to find food and defend themselves against other threats. As a result they have established a complex communication system, using often subtle signals. With practice you will be able to observe and learn to read this language. Reading canine body language will help you to be able to understand your dog, read their emotional state and feelings, and predict what he/she may be likely to do. By doing this, you will be able to intervene when needed, remove your dog from a situation in which he/she is uncomfortable and hopefully reduce any confrontational incident.
There are at least 30 signals that dogs use (probably more).
Head Turning:
This can be a quick movement or a prolonged movement. It can be small, or the dog may turn their whole head. By turning the head, the dog diverts a direct gaze.
Dogs will often use head turning when approached by another dog/person or with a direct stare. This is used to indicate that they are feeling uncomfortable.
Whale Eye/Half-moon eye:
Indicates a dog is fearful or uncomfortable – a form of looking away – often associated with a head turn or body turn.
Turning Away:
Turning away to show a side or back is an obvious signal that a dog may not be feeling comfortable about a situation. You may notice your dog turns his back on you if you speak harshly to him. He is not trying to be rude, this is a displacement signal.
Nose/Lip Lick:
This can be a very quick movement of the tongue so fast you almost won’t see it, or it can be quite an obvious and prolonged nose lick. You will often see this when you are hugging your dog, in photos or when your dog is approaching another.
Softening the eyes/Squinting:
This is done to indicate they are not a threat and only have peaceful intentions.
This can be a very quick movement of the tongue so fast you almost won’t see it, or it can be quite an obvious and prolonged nose lick. You will often see this when you are hugging your dog, in photos or when your dog is approaching another.
Softening the eyes/Squinting:
This is done to indicate they are not a threat and only have peaceful intentions.
Freezing:
This is when your dog stops and literally freezes – not moving a muscle. You may notice this most when another dog is approaching your dog and begins to sniff him.
Play Bow:
Play bows are usually an invitation for play – they indicate that the dog is only playing and what is about to occur is not a threat. Your dog can also use a play bow to release stress and tension.
Yawning:
Yawning is a very commonly seen signal observed in dogs – used to indicate stress and as a displacement signal. Next time you have your pet at the vet, watch your dog and those around you. How many are yawning? Yawning is also contagious in the canine world, so you may find dogs answer the dog that yawned first, with a reciprocal yawn.
If you feel your dog is in an uncomfortable situation you can try yawing at your dog.
This is when your dog stops and literally freezes – not moving a muscle. You may notice this most when another dog is approaching your dog and begins to sniff him.
Play Bow:
Play bows are usually an invitation for play – they indicate that the dog is only playing and what is about to occur is not a threat. Your dog can also use a play bow to release stress and tension.
Yawning:
Yawning is a very commonly seen signal observed in dogs – used to indicate stress and as a displacement signal. Next time you have your pet at the vet, watch your dog and those around you. How many are yawning? Yawning is also contagious in the canine world, so you may find dogs answer the dog that yawned first, with a reciprocal yawn.
If you feel your dog is in an uncomfortable situation you can try yawing at your dog.
Sniffing:
Sniffing is often used by canines, to indicate I’m busy and I’m not a threat. They will often use it as another dog or person approaches. They may even use it when you call them, and your voice or body language has indicated annoyance.
Sniffing is often used by canines, to indicate I’m busy and I’m not a threat. They will often use it as another dog or person approaches. They may even use it when you call them, and your voice or body language has indicated annoyance.
Curving:
It is polite for dogs to greet with curving behaviour. You may find your dog offers curving behaviour when they meet someone new. Sharp end to blunt end – less likely to result in conflict and injury.
If you ever have the need to approach a fearful, anxious or aggressive dog you should approach with a curve. In fact, approach all unknown dogs with a curve.
Wagging Tail:
Ok, hands up. Does a wagging tail always indicate the dog is friendly?
Answer – a wagging tail is not always a sign that a dog is happy or friendly. It can be a sign of arousal and even aggression.
It is polite for dogs to greet with curving behaviour. You may find your dog offers curving behaviour when they meet someone new. Sharp end to blunt end – less likely to result in conflict and injury.
If you ever have the need to approach a fearful, anxious or aggressive dog you should approach with a curve. In fact, approach all unknown dogs with a curve.
Wagging Tail:
Ok, hands up. Does a wagging tail always indicate the dog is friendly?
Answer – a wagging tail is not always a sign that a dog is happy or friendly. It can be a sign of arousal and even aggression.
Paw Lift:
A paw lift can be used by dogs as an invitation to play (similar to a play bow) or as a signal indicating the dog may not be comfortable in a situation.
Shake Off:
A shake off is what we see after our dogs have had a bath, swim or been in the rain. But have you ever noticed your dog shake off when they aren't wet? If you haven’t, you should watch a little closer. Dogs will shake off as a way of reducing tension or as a stress signal.
My dogs will often shake off after I have cuddled them (something that they tolerate but don’t enjoy), or when play has escalated and they would like a break.
A paw lift can be used by dogs as an invitation to play (similar to a play bow) or as a signal indicating the dog may not be comfortable in a situation.
Shake Off:
A shake off is what we see after our dogs have had a bath, swim or been in the rain. But have you ever noticed your dog shake off when they aren't wet? If you haven’t, you should watch a little closer. Dogs will shake off as a way of reducing tension or as a stress signal.
My dogs will often shake off after I have cuddled them (something that they tolerate but don’t enjoy), or when play has escalated and they would like a break.
When assessing how your dog or another feels about a situation you should look at their body as a whole.
Below you will find a YouTube video on Canine Body Language and 2 posters by Lili Chin from doggiedrawings familarise yourself with them and show them to your friends and family, especially children.
Teaching children how to behave around dogs and recognize dog body language is the key to avoiding dog bites.
You can also download child friendly posters about how to greet and how not to greet dogs (and others) from http://drsophiayin.com/
And take a Dog Body Language quiz at http://www.doggonesafe.com/Speak_Dog
Below you will find a YouTube video on Canine Body Language and 2 posters by Lili Chin from doggiedrawings familarise yourself with them and show them to your friends and family, especially children.
Teaching children how to behave around dogs and recognize dog body language is the key to avoiding dog bites.
You can also download child friendly posters about how to greet and how not to greet dogs (and others) from http://drsophiayin.com/
And take a Dog Body Language quiz at http://www.doggonesafe.com/Speak_Dog

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References:
1. Aspinall, V., 2006.The complete textbook of veterinary nursing. 1st ed. Edinburgh; Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier
2. Beaver, B., 2009. Canine behavior. 1st ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Saunders/Elsevier.
3. Cooper, B., Turner, L. and Mullineaux, E., 2011. The BSAVA textbook of veterinary nursing. 1st ed. Gloucester [England]: British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
4. Eaton, B., 2010. Dominance in dogs. 1st ed. Wenatchee, Wash.: Dogwise Pub
5. Horwitz, D. and Mills, D., 2009. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 1st ed. Quedgeley, Gloucester [England]: British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
6. Overall, K., 2013. Manual of clinical behavioral medicine for dogs and cats. 1st ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
7. Pelar, C., 2005. Living with kids and dogs-- without losing your mind. 1st ed. Woodbridge, VA: C&R Publishing.
8. Rugaas, T., 2006. On talking terms with dogs. 1st ed. Wenatchee, Wash.: Dogwise Pub
1. Aspinall, V., 2006.The complete textbook of veterinary nursing. 1st ed. Edinburgh; Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier
2. Beaver, B., 2009. Canine behavior. 1st ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Saunders/Elsevier.
3. Cooper, B., Turner, L. and Mullineaux, E., 2011. The BSAVA textbook of veterinary nursing. 1st ed. Gloucester [England]: British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
4. Eaton, B., 2010. Dominance in dogs. 1st ed. Wenatchee, Wash.: Dogwise Pub
5. Horwitz, D. and Mills, D., 2009. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 1st ed. Quedgeley, Gloucester [England]: British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
6. Overall, K., 2013. Manual of clinical behavioral medicine for dogs and cats. 1st ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
7. Pelar, C., 2005. Living with kids and dogs-- without losing your mind. 1st ed. Woodbridge, VA: C&R Publishing.
8. Rugaas, T., 2006. On talking terms with dogs. 1st ed. Wenatchee, Wash.: Dogwise Pub