Canine body language

Dogs communicate using body postures, facial expressions, and vocalizations. These cues are often misunderstood by humans. Decoding a dog's body language can not only help you or others avoid being bitten, it can help you understand your dog and therefore reduce his anxiety, facilitate training, and strengthen the family's bond with the dog.

This is a useful chart from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. If you're not sure what your or someone else's dog is trying to say, refer to this chart. Learn to listen with your eyes!

BODY PART	POSITION	WHAT IT CAN MEAN
EYES	Unwavering	Challenge, threat
	Fixed stare	Confident
	Casual gaze	Calm
	Averted gaze	Deferenced
	Pupils dilated	Fear
	Wide-eyed(whites of eyes are visible)	Fear
	Quick, darting eyes	Fear
EARS	Relaxed, neutral position	Calm
	Forward, pricked	Alert, attentive, or aggressive
	Ears pinned back	Fear, defensive
MOUTH	Panting	Hot, anxious, or excited
	Lip licking, tongue flicking	Anxious
	Yawn	Tired or anxious
	Snarl (lip curled, showing teeth)	Aggressive
	Growl	Aggressive or playful
	Bark	Excited, playful, aggressive, or anxious
TAIL	Up, still	Alert
	Up with fast wag	Excited
	Neutral, relaxed position	Calm
	Down, tucked	Fear, anxious, or submissive
	Stiff-wagging, or still and high	Agitated, excited, perhaps unfriendly
BODY	Soft, relaxed	Calm
	Tense, stiff, or hackles up	Alert or aggressive
	Rolling over	Submissive

Vernon Hills Animal Hospital

Canine body language

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