Dog Behaviour and Body Language

I can guarantee that pretty much every dog owner wished they could talk to their dog. I know, I’m one of them. It would make things a hundred times easier. Especially when it comes to understanding what’s wrong with them when they are a little bit aggressive, and how they like to be approached. The best we can do for now until they invent some sort of communication device (fingers crossed!), is try and read their body language and understand their behaviour. A dog’s behaviour and body language is a very tricky and sensitive area. It can be difficult to correctly read a dog’s body language, to judge how they are feeling, or why they are acting a certain way. We’ve researched a few tips on how to approach a dog, and what signs to look out for!

Approaching a dog

Correct way to approach a dog:

• No eye contact
• Let the dog approach
• Make sure they are comfortable in the situation
• Pet or stroke the body gently once the dog has approached and is calm

How not to approach a dog:

• Don’t lean in and offer your hand in front of their face / mouth
• Don’t lean over and pat on head
• Don’t grab or hug
• Don’t stare in the eyes
• Don’t grab the head and kiss or make a fuss
• Don’t shout or make any loud noises close to the face

 

Dog Bite Risks

Dog Aggression Ladder:

The dog aggression ladder is a graphic laying out the steps which a dog will usually take to communicate their discomfort or distress, and is a good way to identify and understand the warning signs before the risk of a bite.  

Body Language – What to look out for:

Eyes

• Try to look out for something they call “whale eye”. This is when their head is still and facing away but their eye is still focused on you, and the white of their eye can be seen. A sign that the dog is uncomfortable in the situation, and therefore may act aggressively if provoked.
• A whole eye showing is usually okay, but always be cautious and be wary of other signs.

Ears

• Ears turned backwards is usually a sign that the dog is in distress or is startled and therefore acting cautiously. Try not to approach, give them the space to settle down.
• Ears in a natural position or folded forward usually means the dog is calm and relaxed. As always be cautious. This in conjunction with the head tilted to the side means curiosity, and they are likely just trying to understand you or even a new sound.

Mouth

• An open mouth with the tongue out is common for a dog. However, approach with caution as this can also be a sign of distress or over excitement.
• A more common way to detect distress is when the tongue is rounded at the base.
• Showing teeth and snarling are quite obvious signs of aggression and distress, and a clear sign to keep well away and give the dog some space.
• Sneezing is usually a sign that the dog is relaxed and in a generally good mood.

Posture

• Signs of distress in a dog’s posture will usually include:
  • Being frozen stiff, and unwilling to move. Usually due to nervousness, some dogs can shut down completely in certain situations such as visiting the vets.
  • Cowering – where the dog has an arched back and the tail is facing down and inward between the legs
  • Hackles – these are raised ridges on the dogs back. Usually a sign of over excitement, arousal, or stress.
• A dog laying down with their belly up can be tricky. It depends on the situation and context, if they have intentionally done that near you, then it is likely a sign of affection and they want some attention. However, there can be times where it isn’t intentional and won’t want the attention, so assessing the situation is important.
• Raising the paw is usually a sign they are unsure or nervous, usually accompanied with a turned down head.
• A play bow is when the dog is kneeling forward with his behind in the air, this is a good sign of playful behaviour and interaction.

Tail

• A stiff raised tail is usually a sign of caution. The dog is either unsure of something, nervous or distressed. Try and stay away if possible, and give the dog some space until they are calm and confident in the situation.
• The tail tucked between the legs, as mentioned earlier, is another simple sign the dog is probably nervous or scared.
• Tail wagging in a circular motion is a common sign the dog is relaxed, happy and likely approachable.
• General tail wagging is quite common in all dogs, and doesn’t always necessarily mean happiness, or even distress. So it’s best to always assess the situation, and take caution.

 

Other Considerations

Owners

Always try and talk to the owner of the dog before approaching, and try and get as much insight as possible. Most owners will let you know whether their dog is approachable. And would likely appreciate the chance to say if they want you to approach their dog or not.

Type of dog – breed, colour, coat type etc.

The signs and body language to look out for in a dog will not be apparent in different breeds. For example: if you were to approach a dog with long hair such as a Yorkshire Terrier or Bearded Collie, their eyes will be covered, therefore making it difficult to spot the “whale eye”. The same can be said about dogs with wrinkles such as a Shar Pei. This makes it difficult to see not only the eyes, but also something like the hackles on the dog’s back. It’s recommended to always keep a look out, and try to identify a number of signals that may convey distress or discomfort.   Remember not every dog is the same, and a lot of pooches will be friendly and just want to play and fuss! But as I’ve mentioned throughout this post, it is always important to read the situation. Not all the signs will be as obvious as others.  If you feel your dog is showing some signs of aggression or anxiety, then it may be worth trying some dog calming products. Or maybe even investing in some dog leads, or a harness for when you’re out and about on walks!]]>