Body Language

1. Orientation: Where your dog is looking and where their body is pointing gives you clues about their focus. This helps you anticipate what they might do next.

• Watch their eyes and body direction.
• Use this to predict their next move.

2. Placement: Your dog’s position relative to what has their attention provides context for their reaction.

• Are they close to you or farther away?
• How near or far is the stimulus (cat, stranger, garbage truck, etc.)?
• Environmental factors can explain what excites or frightens them.

3. Weight: How your dog distributes their weight signals their emotional state.

• Centered = relaxed, baseline.
• Forward = confident and engaged.
• Backward = hesitant or uncertain.
• Leaning in = curious or confidently interested.
• Leaning away = cautious or unsure.

4. Posture: Your dog’s posture reflects their comfort and confidence.

• Standing tall = confident, assertive.
• Crouching low = uncertain or uneasy.

5. Ear Position: Ear movement gives subtle but important clues, though it varies by breed.

• Relaxed = no tension where the head and ears meet (baseline state).
• Semi-erect or turned = alert and paying attention to sounds, smells, or movement.

1. Yawning: While dogs yawn when tired, frequent yawning in non-sleep situations is often a sign of stress.

2. Lip Licking: Quick licks of the nose or lips (without food present) usually indicate discomfort or anxiety.

3. Ear Scratching: Sudden ear scratching during an interaction often signals avoidance or stress, rather than just an itch.

4. Whale Eye: When your dog holds still and shows the white “half-moon” of their eye, it’s a sign of unease or tension.

5. Shaking Off: A full-body shake, as if drying off, is your dog’s way of releasing stress in a non-confrontational manner.

6. Other Stress Signals: Growling, showing teeth, flattened ears, tucked tail, raised hackles, backing away, cowering, or whining are clear signs of fear or discomfort.