Buzz
Dogs are far more complex than we often realize, and sometimes their messages get lost in translation. While a dog-to-English translator hasn’t been invented yet, you can learn to interpret specific behaviors to better grasp what your dog is communicating. By being more attuned to your dog’s emotions, you’ll be better equipped to respond appropriately—whether that means giving them space or accepting a slobbery, affectionate kiss.
1. What you’ll notice: Your dog is standing with a relaxed posture, tail hanging low. Their ears are upright but not tense, and their mouth is slightly open with light panting. Their tongue hangs loosely, and their eyes appear soft or slightly squinted, as if they’re smiling.
What it signifies: “Hello, friend!” Your dog is calm and at ease, showing they’re open to interaction. This means it’s safe to let others greet them.
2. What you’ll observe: Your dog is leaning forward, ears upright and pointing ahead—or perked up if they’re floppy. Her mouth is shut, and her tail may be held horizontally or straight up, wagging slightly.
What it signifies: “Who’s there?!” Your dog has noticed something and is now fully alert, assessing whether the person, animal, or situation poses a threat. She’ll remain cautious until she feels secure or gets distracted.
3. What you’ll notice: Your dog is standing with a slight forward lean. His body and legs are rigid, and the fur along his back and neck is raised. His tail is stiff and twitching, not wagging playfully. His mouth is open, teeth bared, and he may be growling, snapping, or barking intensely.
What it indicates: “Stay back!” This dog is displaying dominance and warning others that he may attack if challenged. He could be either offensively or defensively aggressive. If you encounter a dog in this state, cautiously retreat without making eye contact.
4. What you’ll observe: As another dog approaches, your dog rolls onto his back, tail tucked between his legs. His paws are drawn in, ears flattened, and he avoids direct eye contact with the other dog standing above him.
What it signifies: “I mean no harm!” Your dog is showing submissive behavior to a more dominant dog, signaling complete surrender to prevent conflict. Subtle signs of submission include ears pressed back, avoiding eye contact, flicking the tongue, and bared teeth. Interestingly, a submissive dog might bare its teeth, but they’ll be clenched, with lips pulled horizontally rather than curled to expose canines. A submissive dog will also retreat or shrink back rather than move forward, which would suggest aggression.
5. What you’ll notice: Your dog is crouching with a hunched back, tail tucked, and lips slightly curled at the corners. Her hackles are raised, ears are flattened, and she avoids making eye contact.
What it indicates: “I’m frightened, but I’ll defend myself if necessary.” This dog’s fight-or-flight response has been triggered. It’s wise to keep your distance, as she may lash out if she feels trapped.
6. What you’ll observe: You’re maintaining eye contact with your dog. He glances away, looks back hesitantly, then averts his gaze again. Eventually, he licks his lips and yawns.
What it means: “This situation is confusing and making me uneasy.” Your dog is unsure how to react but chooses harmless behaviors like yawning, lip-licking, or shaking to cope. To help, remove the source of discomfort—such as an overly enthusiastic child—and give him space to calm down.
7. What you’ll observe: Your dog lowers her front paws to the ground, keeping her rear end up in the air. Her body is relaxed, wiggly, and full of energy, with her tail held high and wagging enthusiastically. She might also let out an excited or impatient bark.
What it signifies: “Come on, let’s have some fun!” This well-known posture, called the “play bow” by trainers and behaviorists, signals her eagerness to play. Be prepared for a game of fetch, tug of war, or an exciting trip to the dog park.
8. What you’ll notice: You’ve just arrived home, and your dog dashes over to greet you. His backside wiggles uncontrollably, and he might even drop into a big stretch, resembling a yoga pose.
What it means: “Oh my gosh, I’m so thrilled to see you! You’re my absolute favorite person ever!!!” This is a clear display of your dog’s overwhelming happiness. That stretch is a special gesture reserved for those they adore most. Return the love with a belly rub and some of his favorite treats.
The ultimate way to say “I love you” in dog language? A BarkBox subscription. Your furry friend will receive a box packed with treats, toys, and other surprises (and you’ll likely be rewarded with plenty of slobbery kisses). Check out BarkBox for more details.
