Looking at Ourselves Through Our Dog’s Eyes

In our last article, we explored how dogs communicate with us through their body language. This time, we’re turning the tables. How do we communicate with them?

Dogs are remarkably perceptive. They read our posture, tone, movement, and emotional energy with an accuracy that often surprises us. Service dogs are a perfect example—many are trained to detect signs of anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, blood‑sugar changes, and mobility challenges. But even without specialized training, most dogs are naturally attuned to human behavior.

Understanding how your dog interprets your body language can strengthen your bond and improve communication.

How Dogs Interpret Human Body Language

Eye Contact

Humans use eye contact to show confidence, interest, and connection. Dogs, however, interpret it differently.

• Direct eye contact between dogs is often confrontational.

• Direct eye contact with humans can feel threatening unless trust has been built.

Dogs will look into the eyes of people they feel safe with, but it’s a learned comfort, not an instinct.

Vocal Language

Dogs can learn words and short phrases—sit, stay, down—but the tone of your voice carries far more meaning than the words themselves.

• A cheerful “Let’s go for a walk!” sparks excitement.

• The same phrase said harshly may cause your dog to cower or think they’ve done something wrong.

Tone is a form of body language to your dog. It shapes how they interpret your intentions.

Body Position

Humans naturally face each other during conversation. Dogs don’t.

• Facing a dog head‑on can feel intimidating, especially for an unfamiliar dog.

• Turning your body slightly sideways appears less threatening.

• Crouching down to their level invites trust and encourages them to approach.

Small adjustments in posture can make a big difference in how a dog perceives you.

Petting and Physical Touch

Many people instinctively reach for a dog’s head when greeting them. But for many dogs—especially those who don’t know you—this can feel uncomfortable or even threatening.

• Head and face petting can be stressful for unfamiliar dogs.

• Back, chest, and shoulder petting is usually better received.

Dogs can learn to enjoy head petting through positive experiences, but it shouldn’t be the default greeting.

Speed of Movement

Fast, sudden, or unpredictable movements can startle dogs, especially when combined with direct eye contact or reaching hands.

Dogs respond best to:

• Slow

• Calm

• Predictable

movements. This is especially important when meeting new dogs or working with anxious ones.

Your Mood and Emotional Energy

Dogs are masters at reading human emotion.

• Anger often shows up as tension in your body, which can intimidate your dog and trigger anxious or submissive behavior.

• Excitement can be contagious—your dog may mirror your energy.

• Sadness can confuse some dogs, while others instinctively offer comfort.

Your dog may not understand why you feel a certain way, but they absolutely notice that you feel it.

In Conclusion

Be mindful of your own body language and observe how your dog responds. They may not understand every word you say, but their instincts and senses make them exceptional interpreters of human behavior.

In case you didn’t know…

your dog can read you like a book.

Writer: JP

Originally published: April 13, 2023

Updated: April 14, 2023