Articles

Although our methods of communication differ fundamentally due to the obvious species differences, over the centuries of sharing the environment with dogs, both sides have developed the ability to send and read non-verbal signals that allow mutual understanding. Knowing, skillfully interpreting, and respecting the signals sent by dogs will certainly facilitate our relationships with them, making them more enjoyable and often safer. By fully understanding our pets, we can avoid socialization errors, prevent unwanted behaviors, and respond appropriately, preventing unpleasant situations that often arise from a clear lack of understanding.

The system of signs and behaviors developed by dogs for communication and avoiding conflicts is called the CALMING SIGNALS system. Sometimes, when we are angry with our pet, it may seem that the dog is not listening to us or is deliberately resisting our commands, which is not true. Interpreting these signals as conscious defiance is a common mistake made by people. It is important to be aware that dogs use some of their signals to calm us down; however, without understanding this, we may become even more frustrated. Therefore, it is crucial to learn the ways in which our dog will try to avoid our anger and calm us down. Although this group of signals is called calming signals, it includes also threatening signals, playful invitations, and stress signals. To interpret them correctly, we must closely observe the dog.

The most common calming signals used by dogs are:

• turning the head – an attempt to calm in a stressful situation;
• turning away – calming when sensing nervousness;
• freezing in place, moving slowly – trying to calm the owner, for example, when trying to call the dog to come with a frustrated voice; behavior often mistaken for disobedience and insubordination;
• lying on the stomach – a behavior that encourages another dog who is afraid to approach;
• yawning – a calming behavior in a stressful situation;
• licking – a welcoming ritual and calming signal. It is an infantile behavior, characteristic of puppies as well as submissive, dominated, or scared dogs, aiming to avoid aggression;
• separating – a dog that suspects a fight between two individuals (people or dogs) tries to prevent it by physically intervening.

Additionally, we should pay attention to behaviors such as: turning away, squinting eyes, licking lips, panting, lifting one paw, crouching, sitting, shaking off, submissive urination (which can also be a sign of submission and joy), rolling onto the back and exposing the belly, freezing, playing dead, pretending to sniff, panting, and whimpering.

Accurately recognizing these signals allows for early intervention, but ignoring or misinterpreting them can lead to the next stage of the dog’s behavior towards aggression, known as warning behavior. Warning signals are a set of postures aimed at frightening the opponent and represent a clear message – “back off, or I might use my teeth.” The most obvious warning signals include:

• showing teeth and licking them,
• bristling fur on the withers and neck and freezing (in combination with other warning signals),
• growling, barking, mock attacks (snapping teeth), etc.

Tail

Important aspects of a dog’s body language that we should observe include movements of different parts of its body. The most well-known and obvious organ for reading a dog’s mood is, of course, its tail. Contrary to popular belief, not all tail movements are signs of joy and friendly gestures; depending on the way and intensity, they express a range of other feelings. The frequency of tail wagging, its position, and various other details are crucial in interpreting the signals sent by dogs through their tails.

Energetic tail movements indicate engagement and excitement; the more intense the movements, the greater the dog’s involvement. Conversely, the more still the tail is, the more it signifies the dog’s reluctance to engage in the situation, avoidance, or anger. Here are some basic, most readable signals that a dog sends with its tail:

• loose tail, enthusiastic wagging – friendly attitude, contentment, interest, and relaxation of the dog;
• tail held high – indicates a confident (also aggressive), excited, or aroused dog;
• intense wagging, including the hindquarters – submission and friendly compliance, and an attempt to gain favor;
• stiff tail along the back, slow movements – anger;
• dropped tail, stiff movements – anxiety, nervousness, desire to gain favor from another individual;
• tail held low, tucked between the hind legs – fear, insecurity;
• tail held at a 45-degree angle below or slightly above the back line – interest and alertness.

Interestingly, a dog’s tail wags differently when it sees its owner (slightly more to the left) compared to when it sees another animal (more to the right) – although these differences are not visible to the naked eye.

We can also read the dog’s intentions by observing other parts of its body.

Ears

• ears up – indicate alertness, attentive listening;
• ears directed back or softly lying against the head – experiencing pleasure, submission, or fear;
• ears held forward, pressed flat against the head – aggression, readiness to attack.

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Eyes



• Normally, eyes are calm, with relaxed and open eyelids, and sclera (white part of the eyes) not visible (except in some breeds with light irises); this means the dog is experiencing pleasure, submission, or relaxation.
• Turning away or looking down indicates uncertainty or an attempt to point something out; it does not signify guilt.
• Showing sclera (whites of the eyes) signifies fear or an attempt to look at an object without turning its head towards it, expressing "I need space."
• Squinting eyes indicate an attempt to calm an opponent, showing uncertainty or fear.
• Extremely wide-open eyes indicate panic or aggression.
• Staring from one dog to another signifies a threat or challenge to fight.


In a group of dogs, eye contact serves to regulate leadership issues within the pack, which also translates to interactions with humans. Eye contact between two individuals is maintained until one of them looks away and lowers their head or escalates the threat and attacks. Maintaining eye contact with a dog that is nervous, excited, or tense may provoke an attack, as it is perceived as a challenge by the animal.

However, gentle eye contact can strengthen the bond between a person and a dog.










Muzzle



• Loose lips and a slightly open or closed (but not clenched) muzzle are a standard expression of a relaxed dog's muzzle.
• Open muzzle with teeth exposed in a wide grimace indicates submission.
• Tense lips, wrinkled skin on the nose, exposed incisors and canines indicate aggression, confidence, and readiness to attack at the slightest provocation.
• Lips pulled back, all teeth exposed, growling – aggression due to fear or protection (e.g., food).
• Yawning – if not due to tiredness, indicates stress and agitation; sometimes used when the animal is impatient.
• Panting – if not due to tiredness or overheating, also indicates stress.
• Licking lips or nose – generally a sign of stress. If a dog licks its teeth in a threatening manner, it signifies a threat born of fear.
• Nuzzling – an attempt to gain attention, or to investigate a new, unfamiliar scent.



Body Posture



• Head held high, ears erect, eyes forward, chest out, hackles up, legs wide and firmly planted, tail raised – the dog is trying to appear larger, may growl, and wag its tail slowly – indicates confidence and dominance.
• Head low, legs bent, tail down, dog turns its head, crouches, tries to make itself as small as possible. Approaches another individual sideways, adopting the lowest posture. Tail is positioned below the back line, may wag enthusiastically. May also lick the corners of another dog's mouth or human's hands frequently, often licking its own nose – indicates a dog that is unsure, scared, or showing submission to a stronger individual.
• If the dog realizes that the above behaviors do not alleviate the opponent, it will lie on its back, exposing the most vulnerable parts of its body. A dog lying on its back, with its legs up and belly exposed – total submission, surrendering its life to a human or another dog.
• A dog bowing – an invitation to play.
• A dog raising one paw, bent at the wrist – showing stress or fear.
• Straight paw, dog nudges, lies down on its front paws with its hind end up, wagging its tail energetically – this gesture indicates an invitation to play.
• Positioning itself perpendicular to another individual – indicates that the dog is not seeking conflict but is also not showing submission; it aims to maintain a balanced state.


  


Equally important – if not more important – are the vocalizations and scents left by the dog.





Sounds


Dogs produce a range of sounds through which they express their emotions. Low tones indicate threats, anger, aggression, while high tones indicate a friendly attitude; the longer the sound, the more likely it is that the dog is using it intentionally to signal a behavior it will soon display. The speed and frequency of repeated sounds are also significant; the higher the frequency, the greater the level of arousal.



• Barking is a signal to alert the pack (sharp, in several series, medium tone) but also indicates joy at the owner's return (one or two barks in a high tone) home, an invitation to play (a series of barks starting in a medium tone and rising to a high tone), tracking a scent, irritation (single sharp bark in a low tone), alarm, etc.
• Howling is used to mark territory, deter other packs from encroaching, and to call the pack. A dog left alone also uses this signal to call its owner.
• Whining or whimpering is made by puppies and adult dogs to communicate discomfort, pain, or impatience.
• Growling is a warning signal (quiet, low tone, coming from the chest). If associated with insecurity and fear, it occurs in a higher tone and comes from the muzzle. A confident dog does not growl.



Scents


Dogs convey a range of messages through scents associated with urine and feces. Through scents, dogs communicate information about their size, character, and frequency of presence in a particular area. These signals also play a significant role in direct dog interactions; dogs sniff each other's muzzles, as well as genital and anal areas, with dominant dogs often unwilling to tolerate being sniffed by other dogs, while submissive dogs accept this ritual to present themselves to the opponent.



Do's and Don'ts



• Do not allow the dog to feel dominant over you.
• Do not, under any circumstances, kiss the dog on the muzzle, as this is a behavior of a young puppy showing submission to the mother or older dogs and can be interpreted as a submissive gesture from us.
• Do not let the dog go first through doors; the dog should follow the owner.
• Do not allow the dog to sit in our customary spot without permission.
• Always look down at the dog, stand above it, so it knows that we are the leader and it has already been assigned a lower position by us.