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You Can Learn to "Read" Canine Behavior If You Just Know the Language

At some point, you've probably wished your dog could talk to you.

If your dog seems unhappy or stressed most have us have wanted to know why. But your dog tells you a lot through body language. You only have to know what signals to look for.

Canine behavior is a series of body postures that tells the observant human plenty!

In dog behavior, there is never just a paw lift, or just a tongue flick, or just airplane ears. (More on those in a moment.)

There are always other signals and circumstances that surround the dogs' body language.

For example, there's the pawlift.

The Pawlift Paw Lift (usually done as a moment of anticipation before the dog interacts with another being.

If the dog is sitting and paw lifting this move leans towards non-confrontation for the next interaction.)




When observing canine behavior, look to see if the mouth is open or closed.

Is the eye round or squinting?

Can you see the pupil?

Is the body leaning forward, backward, or centered?

Is the tail raised or lowered?

Does dog look like he is holding his breath?

These are just a few of the canine behavior clues to pay attention to. Let's look at some of the others.


small pupils The center of Kyra's eyes are small.

Large pupils mean arousal - fear or aggression are the two most common. She is not aroused she is curious. Her ears are back aware of what is going on behind her.)

Airplane Ears (non-confrontation - also part of this repertoire is mouth open and relaxed, squinting eyes, looking away, and lowered tail)

airplane ears a happy canine behavior

The Look Away (non-confrontation or avoidance)

The lookaway, a non-confrotational canine behavior

dogs in syphnx pose

(Larry on Left is doing this calming signal, he is also squinting his eyes, but notice his ears are forward so he is ready to interact) Joey on the Right is calm but he is pointed away from Larry for avoidance).

tongue flick, canine behavior Dogs lick their mouths or flick their tongues as a calming signal. It's soothing.

dogs playing on ground Lower (Joey is on his side lower than Larry this is a non-challenging position.)

So there you are, 7 common canine behaviors to help you know what your dog is trying to tell you.

If you'd like to learn more about communicating with your dog or live in the NC coastal area and want me to work with you to train your dog, please contact me.