Canine Body Language

CANINE BODY LANGUAGE / READING DOGS

Learning to read dogs is done through observing and understanding their body language.  Although dogs will vocalize to a certain degree, there is no certain characteristic to look for consistently in vocalization that is as powerful as body language.  

In order to understand what dogs may do, it is always best to understand body language.  The following section will give you most every scenario to look for to better understand canine body language.

All dogs have the inherent nature to be aggressive.  They may act out of aggression due to obvious or even unknown pressures.  A dog may bite because of something you are doing or something he perceives (something you may not even be doing).

When reading a dog, there is much to be considered.  You must understand that for every action there is a reaction; therefore, your demeanor and body language may very well dictate the reaction of the dog.  Be aware that you are relaying messages through your body language when you approach or are in the presence of any dog.  

Whenever you are interacting with a dog you are, in fact, performing a temperament test to some degree.  This is because the dog is forced into some sort of reaction to your approach/presence.  When the dog decides to exhibit his behavior to your approach depends on the individual dog’s “radius of temperament” (the space between the dog and the person).

Because we are all individuals, our body language upon approach may vary.  The dog’s perception of the individual may trigger a slightly different response, depending on the person.  We must pay close attention to the dog’s overall body language combined with the dog’s vocalization (if present).

When approaching a dog, look at the whole dog.  This refers to overall action and reactions relative to his temperament and your presence.  We are trying to ascertain the dog’s true make-up; his degree of confidence, courage, aggression, sociability; the stress he is currently experiencing or may experience; his fear level; shyness; fight or flight drive; and his touch and sound sensitivity.

BODY POSTURE(S) TO OBSERVE

**Note that these behaviors are generalizations and that a dog, although exhibiting behaviors that are defined as safe, may still bite/attack.  These behaviors are based on over-all generalizations.

EARS

• Erect or Forward:  This may indicate confidence and alertness.  Combined with a high, smooth, fluid tail wagging may indicate it is safe for you to continue toward the dog.
• If ears are forward and the tail is low and still, you might stop or back off while attempting to reassure the dog.  This also holds true if ears are erect or forward and the tail is held high and stiff (either still or wagging).
• Laid Down or Pinned Back:  This may indicate lack of confidence, fear/fear aggression, panic and/or stress or submission.  In this case, stop and back off.  As with all aspects of K9 body language, you should only draw conclusions after looking at the whole dog.

HEAD

Smooth and erect head movement generally indicates confidence.  A dog with excessive head movement when being approached is indicating signs of insecurity.  This may include looking away, looking side to side, panting, etc.

A dog that displays sharp, erratic and/or rigid head movement may be insecure.

*This dog warrants the use of extreme caution when being approached/handled.  With improper approach/handling, this dog may enter into panic or self-preservation mode.  One mode of self-preservation is flight (escape); if none is available, he may attempt to escape through you (fight).  If the dog is on a leash/rope and looks to escape, he may turn aggressively to affect his escape.

**These scenarios will depend on the dog’s degree of courage, natural aggression, and fight drive.

EYES

**Use care that you do not stare directly into the eyes of the dog; dogs may consider a direct stare as a challenge and may either meet the challenge or revert to flight mode.  

• Eyes Focused on You:  This generally displays confidence on the part of the dog.  Combined with a loose body posture, a smooth flowing, wagging tail, and erect ears are generally good indications for an approach (remain cautious upon any initial approach).  However, if eyes focused on you is combined with a rigid wagging tail, low carried or stiff/still tail, laid back ears, and stiff body posture, the dog may be preparing to attack.
• Eyes Looking at You, then Away:  Dogs that look at you, then away or displaying sharp, erratic or rigid eye movement generally are showing signs of confusion and may be highly insecure.  These dogs may look for an escape route.  If none is available, the dog may attempt to escape through you ― this might be around you or by attacking, if the dog has a high fight or aggression drive.
• Eyes Looking Down/Avoiding Eye Contact:  This is generally a sign of fear or submission.  The difference between fear and submission should be noted.  Dogs in submission are highly unlikely to attack; dogs in fear mode may attack depending on their overall drive.
• Pupils:  Dilated eyes are generally associated with fear and/or high arousal.
• Overall Eye Appearance:  Wide Eye (wall eye), refers to a lot of white showing around the outside of the eye and generally indicates a frightened or defensive dog.

MOUTH

Barking

• Barking is generally an indication of some sort of excitement (positive or negative, it is a vocalization that requires more evaluation).  **Further evaluation of body language is necessary.
• A strong, steady, consistent bark generally indicates self-confidence.  This may be an alert or invitation to play.
• Serious, intense barks with growling undertones incorporated into the bark may indicate aggression.
• Playful barks, melodic or rhythmic barks with playful undertones are generally indications of a dog that is craving attention and human interaction, invitation barks to interact.
• Intermittent barks combined with screams or shrills depending on the radius of temperament are generally a sign of an insecure dog.
• Whimpering or whining is generally an indication of submission.

Lips and Teeth

**Any retraction of the lips and display of teeth should be evaluated as follows:

Dogs show their teeth for a variety of reasons (not solely for aggression).  As with all interpretations of K9 body language, we must look at and evaluate the overall body language.  EVERYTHING is relative in order to get a proper reading into the dog’s true temperament and it’s probable behaviors, actions and reactions to a given situation or stimulus.

• A dog that is displaying his teeth may be showing signs of insecurity.
• He may display teeth as a defense mechanism to keep you away.
• Baring teeth may indicate aggression.
• Some dogs are merely smiling when showing their teeth.
• Panting, yawning, lip-licking and excessive salivation can be an indication of stress.

HACKLES

**Hackle refers to erectile hairs along the back of the dog beginning at the withers and running down to the croup.  

• The Withers are the highest part of the dog’s back at the base of the neck and above the shoulders.  
• The Croup is defined as the lowest part of the dog’s back between the tail-set and the bottom of the back.

Generally, a dog showing his hackles is a sign of insecurity or alertness.  In a large percentage of dogs (but not always), this is a sign to be taken seriously and can prove dangerous.  Furthermore, the location of the hackles displayed may be a valuable indicator as to the probable action or reaction to you as the handler or caretaker, as well as the other dogs present.

• Hackles up on the withers may indicate fear and lack of confidence.
• Hackles up on the croup, with or without the hackles being up on the withers, may indicate a dog that, although he may have some insecurities, tends to be more aggressive or vicious in nature. 

TAIL

Position

• Tail High — The dog is alert, focused and confident.  This is generally a good sign, as this dog should act predictably and normally.  Other signs should be evaluated and taken into account to gain a clearer picture of the dog’s state of mind.
• Tail Out Behind Body — Generally suggests that the dog is comfortable, although there may still remain an uneasiness about the situation.  A dog with his tail out may still act relatively predictably.
• Tail Low or Tucked Under Body — This posture generally shows submission and/or fear.  This is the most dangerous dog to handle because of its unpredictability.  The dog may act aggressively or defensively to any stimulus.  **Slow and reassuring actions are a must around a dog like this.

Movement

• Rapid Wagging — In particular, loose tail wagging is a sign of excitement and curiosity.  This behavior is generally associated with friendly behavior, but it is still suggested to act cautiously around any unfamiliar dog.
• Slow Wagging — This is generally an indication of confusion, insecurity or lack of confidence.  Depending on other attributes, it could indicate a desire to interact or a need to get away.  **Use caution and reassure the dog that you mean no harm.
• Tail Still or Wagging in Erratic Manner — Use extreme caution!  Although this could mean only uncertainty, it is highly likely that this dog may attack.  **Go slow and be extremely careful!

SIMPLE RULES OF THE TAIL

High Tail – Loosely Wagging = OK to approach

Low Tail or Stiff Tail = Caution

High Tails indicate confidence — Confidence coupled with dominance or aggression will give the dog the courage to attack.

Low Tails or Stiff Tails indicate suspicion or fear — Fearful dogs coupled with suspicion will bite to defend themselves from a threat whether real or perceived.

CONFIDENCE & COURAGE

Confidence is having the mental strength and, generally, the mental clarity of self-trust to be able to succeed and rise to the challenge.  Confidence is faith or certainty in your ability to do something.

Courage is the ability to do something that frightens one.  Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to proceed in spite of it.

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Video: Canine Body Language