Learning your dog’s body language

It is no secret that dogs cannot talk to humans, but they do express emotion through their body language which is why it is worth understanding to gauge how your dog is feeling at any time. This will also give you a better idea of how other dogs are feeling around your pet when you take them outside. In this article, we have broken down the key moods/states that your dog will be in and how to tell which mood they are in.

Happy
When your dog is happy they will have a slightly open mouth with their tongue to the side. A wagging tail generally means they are in good spirits. A relaxed forehead and floppy ears are another sign of a happy dog.

Anxious
An anxious dog often has its tail between its legs and eyes wide open. Another sign is they will put their ears back, pinning them to your body. If you see your pet yawning that does not mean they are tired, it is actually their way of removing tension from their body.

Aggressive
This is a relatively clear mood to pick up on and it is important to avoid provoking them when angry. They need space and time to calm down. When your dog is angry, they will have a tense upright body and have strong eye contact. Their ears will angle forward and have often make a threatening growl.

Submissive
If a dog is feeling submissive, they will expose their belly, showing trust. Their tail will be relaxed and they will lick their lips or nose. Avoiding eye contact is another sign of a non-threatening dog.