What's my dog's body language telling me?

The Yawn

The language your dog uses every day is universal; all dogs know and understand it.

Your dog is communicating with you right now, through the subtle movements of their body. They’re constantly sending messages—about how they feel, what they need, and what worries or excites them. Learn how to understand your dog's body language.

The problem? Most of us aren't good at noticing.

Dogs are reading our every gesture, facial expression, and energy shift. They know when we're stressed, and they can tell the difference between "going to work" body language and "going for a walk" body language.

But when they try to communicate with us using their language, we often miss it completely or get it wrong.

The Dog's Body Language Breakdown

Here's what's happening every day in homes everywhere:

Your dog: Licks lips quickly. "I'm feeling a little nervous right now"

You: "Aww, that's cute"

Your dog: Turns their head away when you reach out. "I don't feel like being patted" You: "They're being stubborn"

Your dog: Yawns during training. "I need a break, it's too much"

You: "They're being lazy"

These miscommunications happen many times a day.

The Universal Signals:

Here are the big, obvious signals every dog uses. These signals are your dog's way to calm themselves and those around them, and to let others know how they are feeling.

The Freeze: "I'm Scared and Nervous"

What it looks like: Your dog becomes completely still and stiff. A tense, uncomfortable stillness.

What your dog is saying: "I'm so stressed I can't even move."

When you'll see it: 

• At the vet's surgery,

• When an unfamiliar dog is staring at them

• When there's loud, chaotic activity in the house.

• It could even happen when you put their harness on.

What to do: Slow down. Don't force interaction.

The Pant (When It's Not Hot): "I'm Anxious"

What it looks like: Shallow, rapid breathing with the mouth open, the tongue is centered in the mouth, either just showing or long and a spatula-shaped tongue.

What your dog is saying: "I'm feeling anxious and my body is responding like I've been running."

When you'll see it: 

• During thunderstorms,

• At the groomer's,

• When strangers visit or on car rides.

What to do: Check what's happening in the environment. Provide a quiet, safe space your dog can retreat to.

The Shake-Off: "I Need to Reset"

What it looks like: A full-body shake like they just got out of water, but they're completely dry.

What your dog is saying: "That was stressful, and I'm shaking it off to feel better."

When you'll see it: 

• After meeting a new dog,

• After being handled by the vet

• Any transition from a stressful situation to another.

What to do: This is a good signal to see- they're self-regulating. Give them a moment to collect themselves. This signal can also mean, "That's finished, what's next?".

Calming Signals

Once you begin to see these signals, you'll appreciate that your dog has a very nuanced vocabulary. According to expert Turid Rugaas, there are over thirty calming signals, but learning these core ones can transform your relationship.

The Quick Lip-Lick: "This feels awkward"

What it looks like: A fast, subtle flick of the tongue - not the big, slobbery face-licking.

What your dog is saying: "Something about this situation is making me anxious, and I'm calming myself down."

When you'll see it: 

• Meeting new people,

• During training sessions,

• When there's tension in the household, or

• When they're being petted but aren't enjoying it.

What to do: Check the context, slow down. If you're training, shift the activity. If someone is petting them, ask the person to stop and let your dog approach if they choose to.

The Yawn: "I'm Trying to Defuse This Situation"

What it looks like: A deliberate, slow-motion yawn when your dog isn't tired.

What your dog is saying: "I feeling stressed or I'm trying to calm everyone down. I'm no threat - let's all relax. "

When you'll see it: 

• During a tricky training session, especially if you’re frustrated.

• In moments of household tension or raised voices

• When they meet unfamiliar dogs or people.

What to do: Breathe, soften your voice, or pause the activity. If you’re training, give your dog a break. By respecting this signal, you show your dog that you’re listening—and that builds trust.

The Turn Away: "This is uncomfortable, please stop"

What it looks like: Turning their head or whole body away from whatever is happening, used to diffuse dog-dog and human-dog interactions.

What your dog is saying: "I don't like this" or, in an approach, "I see you coming, I'm no threat."

When you'll see it: 

• During petting (they might not want the attention),

• Almost always when meeting other dogs, or

• When you're trying to get them to do something they're not ready for.

What to do: Respect their request. Take a step back, stop petting, or create distance from whatever they're avoiding.

The classic example: You reach over to pat their head, saying "good boy!" and pat them hard on the top of the head, your dog ducks away or turns their head. They're saying, "I can't see where your hand is going, which makes me nervous. I'd prefer if you kept your hands where I can see them." Try patting them on the shoulder instead.

The Slow Walk: "I'm Scared and Trying to Be Brave"

What it looks like: Moving very slowly, ears are often very soft and smooth, puppy-like.

What your dog is saying: "I'm nervous, but I'm not a threat. Please be gentle with me."

When you'll see it: 

• At the vet's surgery,

• Approaching new people or dogs, or

• Entering unfamiliar places.

What to do: Slow down, too. Let them set the pace. Forcing them forward will only increase their anxiety.

The Sudden Scratch or Sniff: "I Need a Moment to Think"

What it looks like: Suddenly scratching when they don't seem itchy, or putting their nose to the ground to sniff when nothing interesting is there. Also called a displacement behaviour.

What your dog is saying: "I'm feeling uncertain, so I'm doing something neutral while I figure it out."

When you'll see it: 

• When they're asked to do something they're not sure about

• When they're torn between wanting to approach and wanting to stay away.

What to do: Give them time to make their decision. Don't pressure them to "just do it."

Reading the Details: Your Dog's Facial Expressions.

Now, let's learn to read the subtler messages in their face. This is where you'll start to understand your dog's personality and preferences.

The Eyes: Windows to Their Emotional State

• Soft, almond-shaped eyes: "I'm relaxed and happy to be here"

• Hard stare: "I'm very focused on something or highly alert" Note: Dogs consider staring rude and a threat signal.

• Slow Blinking: A dog who is blinking slowly often coupled with a look away is signaling a peaceful intent.

• "Whale eye" (the white showing around the edges): "I'm nervous about something but trying not to give it away" when dogs turn their head away but keep eyes fixed on the threat, showing the whites often occurs when restrained

• Dilated pupils: "I'm either excited, scared, or stressed" - context matters here

What to do: If you see hard stares or whale eye, create more space and reduce whatever pressure, look away to one side and turn sideways, moving slowly away. Soft eyes mean you're doing something right. Some dogs may blink or wink, which can signal relaxation or friendliness, but context matters.

The Mouth: Stress vs. Relaxation

• Tongue hanging out the side, mouth open: "I'm relaxed" (or just hot from exercise)

• Tongue straight out, wide at the tip: "I'm stressed even though I haven't been running" - this "spatulated tongue" is pure anxiety

• Mouth closed tight, pointed at you: "I'm tense and potentially feeling defensive."

• Corners of mouth tight and pulled forward: "I'm warning you"

What to do: If you see the stress mouth positions, back off immediately. These are serious warnings that a dog may bite.

The Ears: Emotional Barometers

• Forward and alert: "Something interesting is happening"

• Flat and wide: "I'm not a threat, just trying to look puppy-like. I could be worried or scared" (sometimes curious, but usually stressed)

• High and stiff: "I'm on high alert and potentially defensive"

• Flattened back: "I'm scared and trying to make myself smaller"

Important note: Ear positions vary dramatically by breed. A German Shepherd's "alert" ears look very different from a Basset Hound's "alert" ears. Learn your dog's normal ear positions first and take in the whole dog to understand context.

The Forehead: Furrowed Just Like Us

• A furrowed brow: "I'm not sure, curious and feeling uneasy"

• A smooth brow: "Everything is going well"

• Eyebrows lifted: "Should I worry? I'm not sure about this situation"

• Tightly knitted brows with tension: "I'm stressed and potentially ready to react"

• Pulled-back brows with wide eyes: "I'm scared and trying to look smaller"

The Tail: It's Not Just About Wagging

The dog's tail is talking all the time, with dozens of positions to communicate different feelings and intentions. Here are some important positions to understand:

• High above the back: "I'm highly aroused and alert - this could go either way"

• High and flagging (stiff, fast wag): "I'm ready for action and it's probably not friendly - back off"

• Low, big sweeping wag: "I'm feeling good and genuinely happy"

• Very low or tucked: "I'm scared and insecure - please be gentle with me"

• Loose, wiggly wag: "Everything is great, this is fun"

• Stiff wag: "I'm interested but not sure if this is good or bad"

Remember: There are many types of wags. A wagging tail always needs to be taken in context with the rest of the body.

The Body: Reading Their Overall Energy

• Soft, relaxed front legs: "I'm comfortable and not worried about anything"

• Stiff front legs, weight forward: "I'm alert and potentially ready to react - something has my full attention"

• Wiggly, loose body: "I'm feeling goofy and relaxed - I want everyone to relax and see me as non-threatening"

• Stiff tall body and limbs: "I'm on high alert and ready"

• Low body posture leaning away: "I'm trying to make myself smaller and less threatening"

• Raised hackles (hair standing up on neck/back): "I'm highly aroused - this could be expressing either excitement, fear, or aggression"

The Bow: Two Very Different Messages

• Play bow (front end down, rear up): "This is all fun and games - let's play!"

• Soft stretching bow: "Hello, it's good to see you"

• Prey bow (front end down, rear up, but stiff and focused): "I'm in hunting mode - this isn't play, this is serious business"

Similar position, completely different intentions - context is everything.

Common Myths to Ignore

Myth: "A wagging tail means a happy dog" Reality: Tail wagging can indicate arousal engagement, or happiness

Myth: "Dogs that show their belly want belly rubs" Reality: Many dogs show their belly when they're nervous and trying to appear non-threatening

Myth: "Assertive dogs always have their ears forward" Reality: Confident dogs have relaxed, natural ear positions most of the time

Myth: "If a dog looks guilty, they know they did something wrong" Reality: "Guilty" faces are appeasement behaviors - they're reading your body language and responding by trying to calm you down

Understanding Individual Differences

Breed Considerations

Some breeds have physical features that affect how we read their body language:

• Flat-faced breeds (pugs, bulldogs) may pant due to structural breathing difficulties and their "wrinkles" make it hard to read their facial expressions.

• Breeds with naturally erect ears (German Shepherds) vs. floppy-eared breeds (Labradors) will show different ear positions, watch for the point of the ear at the base where it meets the forehead.

• Breeds with curly tails (huskies, spitz breeds) carry their tails differently than straight-tailed breeds

• Breeds that remain puppy-like (King Charles, Pomeranian, Maltese) These dogs are bred to stay puppy like and dependent on their humans, this results in a reduced range of communication signals compared to other breeds

• Working breeds may be naturally more alert and "on" than companion breeds

Age and Physical Limitations

• Senior dogs may not be as expressive due to arthritis or other physical issues

• Puppies often have yet to develop the full range of subtle signals

• Dogs with injuries may show different body language due to pain or mobility issues

Individual Personality

Just like people, some dogs are naturally more expressive than others. By spending time with your dog you'll naturally learn their individual expressions and you'll notice when something changes.

When Body Language Becomes a Safety Issue

While most body language is about communication and comfort, there are some signals that indicate a dog might bite. Never ignore these warning signs:

• The "Hard Dog" look: Stiff, forward leaning body, hard stare, tail high, mouth closed tight, ears forward and rigid - this dog is saying "I will defend myself if I need to"

• Resource guarding signals: Stiff body over food/toys, hard stare, eating faster, moving the resource away from you, and vocalising.

• Fear escalation: Starting with calming signals, progressing to freezing, then to showing teeth or growling

What to do: Create distance immediately. Don't try to "work through it" in the moment. Get professional help from a certified dog trainer or behaviourist.

Remember: A dog that's showing these warning signals isn't "bad" - they're communicating clearly that they're at their limit. Punishing these signals will close these signals down and they may resort to bite without warning.

The Connection Revolution

Here's what happens when you start observing your dog's body language:

• You stop forcing interactions they don't want.

• You recognise their stress before it becomes overwhelming.

• You realise they're not being "bad" - they're communicating with you.

• Your relationship shifts from you managing their behavior to you supporting their emotions.

• Your dog learns to trust that you're listening, which actually makes them more willing to try new things because they know you'll respect their limits.

Start With One Thing

This week, watch for one signal - maybe the lip lick or the turn away. Every time you see it, ask yourself: "What's my dog saying right now?" and more importantly, "What can I do to help them feel better?"

If your dog growls, snaps, or escalates past calming signals, don’t try to fix it yourself—seek professional help

What signal did you recognise in your dog while reading this? Share with us in the comments.

For a deeper understanding of canine body language and communication, I highly recommend:

• "On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas

• "Inside of a Dog" by Alexandra Horowitz

• "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell