Learning and Understanding Your Dog’s Body Language

A dog can tell a lot about another dog just by looking at him and noting what the different parts of his body are doing.

Eyes
- Direct eye contact means a dog is feeling bold and confident.
- Casual eye contact means he’s contented.
- An averted gaze means deference.
- Dilated pupils indicate fear.

Ears
- Relaxed ears mean that a dog is calm.
- Erect ears show that a dog is alert ans attentive.
- Ears that are up and foward mean a dog is challenging or being assertive.
- Ears that are laid ack indicate that a dog is worried or scared.

Body Movements
- Pawing is an appeasing gesture.
- Licking another dog’s face is an invitation to play or a sign of deference.
- Play’bowing (front legs extended, rump up, tail wagging) is an invitation to play and a sign of happiness.
- Draping the head over another dog’s shoulders is a sign of boldness.
- Freezing in a place means a dog is frightened.
- Rubbing or leaning against another dog is a companionable gesture.

Mouth and Lips
- Panting meand that a dog is feeling playful or excited, or maybe he’s just hot.
- A dog with the mouth and lips closed is incertain or appeasing.
- Licking the lips is a sign a dog is worried or is being appeasing.
- A relaxed mouth means a dog is calm.
- Lips pulled back are a challenging or warning sign.

Hackles (the hair on the shoulders and hips)
- Raised hackles indicate arousal, either because a dog is frightened or is challenging another dog.
- Smooth hackles show a dog is calm.

Tail
- A relaxed tail means a dog is calm and at ease.
- Tail held straight out, wagging rhythmically and slowly, means that a dog is cautious or on guard.
- Tail down indicates worry or uncertainty.
- Tail held up and wagging fast indicates excitement.
- An erect tail is a sign of alertness.
- A tail between the legs is a sign of fear.

From: Dogspeak: How to Understand Your Dog and Help Him Understand You (Dog Care Companions)