Dog Body Language

As dog owners, we experience our furry friends doing some funny things. One of these is pawing, an extremely cute form of affection or a sharp, poking pain, depending on how sharp your dog’s nails are. This article discusses why your dog puts their paw on you and how to understand this behavior. Plus, you…

It’s no secret that dogs are loyal companions. They often become attached to their owners and miss them when they’re not around. One of the most obvious signs that a dog misses its owner is when it greets them enthusiastically. Dogs often do this by barking, jumping up and down, or simply running around in…

Seeing a dog licking its lips repeatedly after a tasty treat or cleaning its face of unwanted particles is perfectly normal. But what if this excessive lip licking is a frequent occurrence? Is this normal behavior in dogs, or is it a cause for concern? Dogs who frequently lick their lips as if they have…

As a pet owner, we know that our dog bounding into our lap and covering our face in kisses can signify affection. However, it’s hard to ignore that your dog also likes to lick furniture, specifically their bed. And while a dog licking their bed can be completely normal, it may also signify that something’s…

Although dogs don’t communicate much with it, you can discern some things from a dog’s hair. They’ll either shed their hair or raise their hackles.

Most people can recognize a happy or playful dog.  They have a relaxed body language, a wagging tail and the infamous playbow.

A submissive dog looks very similar to a frightened dog because he makes himself look small to convey that he’s not a threat, but there are differences.

Dogs communicating their arousal or excitement through body language can be subtle, but with practice most people can learn to recognize it.

The size and shape of a dog’s ears will determine how well he can communicate with them. Observing how and where they move you will understand the emotions.

Aggressive dogs usually give plenty of warning before reacting aggressively, but many people don’t know what to look for to recognize the signs.

Dogs do a lot more with their mouths than bark. The way they position their lips, jaws and teeth can tell you if they are happy or sad.

Dogs use their body postures to communicate their intentions by looking normal, smaller or larger. Knowing the meanings will indicate their emotions.

 You can learn a good deal about a dog just by looking at his tail, how it’s positioned, how relaxed it is and how fast it is going.

Looking at a dog’s eyes, you can see how they vary the size and shape of their eyes as well as their gaze in order to express their emotions.

Much of the information that dogs send is through body language. By knowing what a dog is trying to tell you, you will know how to respond appropriately.

Understanding dog language may sound a bit like Dr. Dolittle but there are several reasons why those in the dog profession should learn to read what a dog is saying. By Laura Pakis, Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Blogger Why learn dog language? You become more perceptive A study from Spain’s University of Pompeu Fabra…