Dog Body Language in Translation

Understanding Dog Body Language For Training

Translating dog body language is an effective technique for dog training.  Knowing how your pet communicates adds another dimension to realizing successful training goals.  Dogs are one of the most intelligent animals among domestic pets. They have the ability to communicate with humans, other dogs and animals. Dogs communicate by using an array of body language signs and vocals. These signs are made with the help of body movement involving eyes, ears, eyebrows, head, mouth and tail.

The Position and Movement of the Canine Tail

Dogs hold the feeling of dominance and submission in their tails.  This stems from their ancestors - wolves living in the wild.  Here the pack mentality is one of an established group hierarchy.  Confident and higher ranked dogs hold their tails in an upward position. The weaker dogs submit themselves to the stronger dog and  lower their tails when they feel insecure. As dogs fight for dominance, the fur on their tail stands up. Canines, and many other animals, do this to increase their size in front of an enemy.

A slowly wagging tail shows that the dog is confused.  They are confronted with an ambiguous situation.  Excited canines, however, exhibit a different display of dog body language and wag their tails very fast. If the hip moves along with the tail, the dog is ready for submission to an animal of higher rank.

Along with a raised tail, the showing of fangs is a sign of aggression.  The dog is ready to bite or attack, if the teeth are visible. Observing the number of teeth on display can differentiate their mood. When a dog snarls in agitation, all of the teeth and gums can be seen.  A true smile reveals only the front teeth, and their feeling is one of submissiveness or passivity.   Perhaps the expression is one of happiness like enjoying a cool afternoon in March at the beach. 

Sound Interpretation and Dog Body Language

Ears are good indicators of attention levels. A dog with erect and forward facing ears is said to be concentrating. Yet in fear, the ears are down.  Some dogs hold the ears in forward and horizontal direction when they are happy. If the dog tilts its head in a particular direction, the animal is trying to concentrate and recognize an unfamiliar sound.  Many canines, both domestic and wild, can scan their environment for sounds using one ear at a time.  Among the most common varieties of ears are the erect or pricked ears.  This type of dog body language is sported by the more wolf-like breeds such as German Shepherds and Basenjis and by semi-domestic dogs such as Dingoes and New Guinea singing dogs.

Barking is used to convey emotions such as pleasure, fear, stress and suspicion. In a majority of cases, barking sounds are heard to scare away strangers and to make the owner aware of an intruder.  If the barking slows to a deep growl, the dog is showing superiority and threatening the potential instigator of danger.

Your canine pet also tends to bark while they are playing or excited.  The barks are sharp and short. When they are stressed or anxious, they bark repeatedly in a high pitch tone. They also bark to communicate with other animals such as cats, deer, squirrels, foxes and other dogs.

Dogs howl for the purpose of long-range communication. This parallels that of the wolf pack - either the wolf is announcing its territory or a lost member is attempting to reunite with its pack.  There is an idea that when a dog hears a howling noise, they try to resonate with the sound wave, thus invoking an instinctual heightened emotion.

Dog Body Language - Time For Play

The act of yawning as a dog body language can show a range of emotion from boredom, stress or confusion. Sometimes yawning simply means the dog is tired and needs to be left alone. Panting with a full open mouth, shows happiness, while panting with a slightly open mouth means it wants to interact through play.

Like human beings, domestic dogs are trained for the ritual of the handshake. When your pet lifts one forelimb up, this also can signal a time for play. A canine will stamp its front limbs upon excitement. They scratch objects they want.

Recognizing these communication signs allow the pet owner to understand their dog's feelings.  Many situations can disturb even the best training efforts.  You will know the reason, and make the adjustment.  The ultimate goal of training is for your dog to be a wonderful companion and protector.  Translating Dog Body Language is helpful towards dog training success.