How to Read Your Dog’s Body Language

Using body language, your dog has a unique, non-verbal way of communicating with you. Your fur baby may use its eyes, ears, mouth, tail, and body posture to signal something.

Deciphering your dog’s body language is one of the aspects of responsible ownership. So as a dog owner, you should be able to read these signals to communicate with your canine correctly.

Tail Wagging

Dogs communicate broader messages using their body language. Tail wagging works well with them.

Since a dog’s vision is tuned more to movement than details or colours, your canine companion readily discerns different tail wags.

It is well-documented that the direction of the wag signifies that your canine companion is experiencing strong emotions.

When your dog tends to wag more to the right, it means that it feels optimistic about something and likes to interact with you. Meanwhile, if your fur baby’s tail wags more to the left, it may be feeling something negative.

Before you start observing how your dog’s tail wags, you must first recognize that the natural position of a dog’s tail differs by breed.

Most breeds have their tails hanging down near their heels when they’re in a relaxed position. But others like beagles hold their back ends more vertically. Meanwhile, Boston terriers and pugs have tails that coil tightly against their bodies and don’t wag at all.

Other Indications of Tail Wagging

Preparedness or Agitation

Dogs stand when they’re alert. Their tails are raised, and their ears are up. When you notice your dog in that posture, it means that it’s watching and ready to confront whatever it is that caught its attention.

Negotiation 

When you notice that your canine companion’s tail suddenly stops wagging, it may mean that it wants to divert a threat without being aggressive. Many dogs do this when a stranger pets them.

Aggression

When your dog’s tail moves from a neutral position and arches over the back, it may indicate aggressiveness.

The high tail position also releases more of your dog’s scent from the anal glands, announcing its arrival and marking its territory. So the higher the tail is raised, the greater the threat.

Submission

When you notice your fur baby’s tail moves from a neutral position to a lower one, it means it’s submissive.

Observe when it does something that makes you angry. If its tail is tucked tightly between the rear of its legs, it signals that your fur baby is scared. It’s like your dog is begging you to spare the rod.

Curiosity

When your fur baby is curious about something, it holds its tail straight out in a horizontal position.

Can Tailless Dogs Communicate?

Dogs without tails can also communicate, but they have limitations. They may use their facial expression to signal their intentions.