Understanding canine body language

While some pets enjoy meeting new people and animals, others prefer their own space, and the company of those they are most familiar with. For this reason, it is important to understand a dog’s signals, what they may mean, and what to do when you see them. Keep reading for resources on canine socialization and body language. 

Recognizing the signs of fear, anxiety, stress, and frustration, as soon as they begin can help both dog parents and non-dog parents alike. Which can help to manage difficult situations that may arise. 

There are times when even the most socialized dogs find themselves in situations that they may find stressful, scary, or even threatening.  

General tips 

Practice the following tips for positive interactions with dogs: 

• Never approach a dog you don’t know, or one that is not with its family. 
• Always ask for permission to meet a dog; “May I please pet your dog?” 
• Allow the dog to sniff you first; by standing sideways and allowing the dog to approach,  
• Never push your hand out towards a dog or get in their space 
• Don’t lean over the dog (they may see this as threatening). 
• If a strange dog approaches you, don’t run; they may chase you! Instead, stand still like a tree. Don’t yell or scream as this may further excite the dog. Stay put until the dog leaves or help arrives. If the dog does not seems friendly calmly putting something between you and the dog may help, like a nearby street pole, garbage can or even your purse or bag. 
• Always supervise interactions with children and dogs. The Ontario SPCA’s AnimalSmart™ Program says dogs and cats are the most common family and neighbourhood pets. It is important that children know and understand how to interact with pets to protect their safety. 

So, what are our dogs telling us? 

Dogs can’t communicate in the same ways we do, so they show us through their body language how they are feeling. Being able to observe and understand a dog’s body language enables you to more accurately understand their emotions and behaviour. 

Reading body language 

Body language is made up of dogs’ body postures, facial expressions, and the position and carriage of certain body parts, like ears, tail and mouth position and movement. 

Body postures related to fear, anxiety, and stress can include: 

• Crouching low to the ground, leaning back. 
• Head tucked in. 
• Tail curved down and tucked between legs, covering the genitals. 
• Dilated pupils, eyes fully open, hard eye/whale eye (whites of eye showing). 
• Ears flattened sideways or backward on the head. 
• Turning sideways to the opponent, not straight on. 
• Open-mouthed, all teeth exposed. 
• Lip licking or tongue flicking. 
• Stress yawning. 
• Rolling over to expose their bellies 
• Immobility or “freezing” 
• Conflict avoidance or attempts to hide  
• And much more  

Offensive postures can include: 

• A stiff, straight-legged upright stance.  
• Stiffened rear legs, leaning forward with weight forward. 
• Tail is stiff and above spine level, just the tip may be moving. 
• Direct stare. 
• Upright ears, facing forward. 
• Piloerection (hackles up) along the top of the back. 
• Dilated pupils, eyes fully open, hard eye/whale eye (whites of eye showing) 
• Directly facing opponent (standing square), possibly moving toward them. 
• Offensive mouth pucker (only front teeth including canines are exposed), accompanied by tongue flicks. 
• Might be growling or snarling 
• Furrowed brow  

Signs of conflict during dog-to-dog interactions: 

• No reversed roles (they should take turns). 
• Bared teeth, ears forward 
• Head or tail remain high and stiff. 
• Body is stiff 
• Hard eyes, furrowed brow, snarl and growl. 
• Escape, avoidance or hiding behaviours. 
• An anxious or fearful dog may also make themselves look smaller. This may include shrinking to the ground, lowering their head or putting their tail between their legs. The dog may also look away to avoid eye contact and may slowly move away from the approaching threat. 
• Quick position changes or snarling/ snapping when another dog approaches. 
• Many dogs can show a mixture of these body postures. It is also important to remember that a dog who is wagging their tail or crouching their body does not always mean friendliness; be aware of the context of the situation. 

To prevent fear-based aggression in dogs, pet parents can: 

• Help build a positive relationship with children and dogs.  
• Socialize your dog with other dogs and people, as well as introduce them to a variety of environments, on their own terms. An under-socialized puppy may feel uncomfortable with new things, such as animals or people, which could result in biting to make scary things go away. Socializing helps puppies feel more comfortable and friendly in a variety of situations. For more tips on puppy socialization, check out our blog on puppy training basics. 
• When trying new things, or meeting new people, remember to take your time, go at your dog’s pace, and reward brave steps! 
• Enroll your dog in a reward-based training class. This early training can open a window of communication between you and your dog and provide socialization opportunities with other dogs. This will also help build the human-canine bond as you learn together. 
• Include your dog in the everyday activities of your household, spending time with the whole family. 
• Never punish your dog for displays of discomfort and always remove your dog if you recognize signs of not wanting to be in a situation, remember to always advocate for your dog and not force interactions! 

Keep in mind, some dogs may be experiencing pain, injury, or illness, that may cause them to act out of character. If you suspect this may be the case, consult your veterinarian for solutions. 

Remember some dogs are very fearful of strangers. This can include people and dogs, crowds or loud noises, costumes, or people in uniforms, to name a few. It is important to recognize what makes your dog uncomfortable and avoid inappropriate exposure to these things when possible. 

Don’t wait! The first time your dog shows aggressive behaviour towards anyone, seek professional help. Consult your veterinarian or a certified behaviour consultant for recommendations. 

With these safety considerations in mind, we hope you and your furry family members create countless amazing memories together! 

If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation.