#15 - Learning about canine body language
Build a strong relationship with your dog and help them move through the world safely and confidently
If there is one thing I will never not talk about, it’s the importance of learning about canine body language. It’s game-changing when it comes to building a strong relationship with your dog.
If you understand the basics of canine body language and watch for patterns in your dog as they explore the world or interact with you, you will understand SO MUCH about their emotional state.
Incorporating an understanding of body language in dog training transforms a one-way attempt at teaching in a two-way communication experience, and increases your chances of success dramatically.
If you live with a fearful, reactive or high-prey-drive dog, being able to anticipate their behaviour will help you avoid numerous scary situations. Interacting with humans, other dogs, wildlife, or new situations will become easier in the short- and long-term.
As I start prep work for my October challenge -creating 31 one-page zines as part of an #inktober / #zinetober- I’ve noticed half the zine drafts include something about “listening to your dog”. Honestly I am getting worked up just thinking about how important learning canine body language is (even for people who don’t live with a dog). Flailing is not a state conducive to clearly and rationally explaining the importance of communication so I’ll leave it at that.
If you are convinced that you should start learning to listen to your dog, here is how you can get started.
The basics of canine body language
We humans talk a lot. Although our non-verbal communication plays a big role, we mostly rely on words.
For dogs, their main communication tool is their body language. The tail, posture, eyes, mouth, facial expressions, ears, head and body position are all elements we should be paying attention to. Some dogs will also rely on vocal cues like whines, barks, and growls. All dogs use the same signals to communicate, although different breeds and different dogs might use certain signals more than others.
First you will need to learn the basics of dog canine body language, including what are sometimes called calming signals or stress signals. Being able to notice calming signals will help you know when your dog is starting to feel stressed. Then you will look at what is happening around your dog to know what could be stressing him, or if it’s more likely coming from physical pain.
Be aware of your own behaviour. If you cannot find anything in the environment that might stress your dog and he doesn’t seem in physical discomfort, ask yourself: how are you acting, and could it be stressing your dog?
Noticing subtle body language can take a lot of practice, so make sure you practice by observing your dog A LOT. At home, at the dog park, on walks, so you can be aware of what body language he uses in what circumstances.
Elements of canine body language
Learning to understand canine body language is a little like learning a new human language. You learn about different elements (words) and what they can mean in different contexts (sentences). First let’s look at a few elements you will need to pay attention to.
Eyes. So-called whale eyes (widened eyes where you see the white of the eyes) are a sign that your dog is afraid. Look at the environment and figure out what is stressing your dog.
Head turning. Turning their head, turning their whole body, or diverting their glance is a way for dogs to be taking distance from a situation that is causing them stress, or to respond to another dog’s calming signals.
Other stress signals include tongue flicks, tense mouth, yawning, freezing.
Stance and weight distribution will help you guess your dog’s intention. Is he anxious and leaning back or assertive and leaning forward? You might be able to guess the direction they intend to go by looking at the way their weight is distributed.
Ears. What is your dog paying attention to? Look at the way your dog’s ears are positioned. If he is turning his back on you but his ears are positioned to the side, he might still be listening.
Tail. The way the tail is positioned, the amplitude and speed of a tail wag will give you information about your dog’s state of mind. A tucked tail is a sign of stress. A slow, low-amplitude tail wag can be a sign of stress (for example my dog greeting other dogs) or of deep focus ( e.g. Bucky trying to “catch” light reflections and bubbles in the water). A wide-amplitude tail wag with optional butt wiggle is a sign of a relaxed and happy dog, often seen when greeting their favorite humans.
Tension in the body and stiffness of movements are often signs of discomfort. The discomfort can be caused by a social situation or physical pain.
There is more to canine body language than the few elements I described above, but these will be sufficient to get you started. Focus on one or two elements at a time. The most important thing is to practice paying attention. With time and practice, you will start to notice the subtle signals your dog is using. Those insights will go a long way to help you strengthen your relationship with your dog and guide them in the world.
Edit: If you want more resources I suggest Lili chin’s Doggie Language. It’s an adorably illustrated book about canine body language and packs a ton of information in its tiny format. Highly recommend.