What Your Dog’s Body Language Is Telling You
30 ways your dog communicates through posture, expression, and sound
30 ways your dog communicates through posture, expression, and sound
Because humans and dogs don’t share a spoken language, communication has to happen in other ways. Your dog can’t simply tell you how they feel, but their body language often reveals exactly what’s going on inside their mind.
Learning to read these cues may be one of the most important skills you develop as a dog owner. It helps you understand your dog’s emotions, prevent misunderstandings, and support them in stressful situations.
Below are 30 common body‑language signals and what they typically mean.
Butt up, chest down, front legs stretched forward.
Meaning: “Let’s play!”
Can indicate heat, exertion, stress, or pain.
Meaning: If panting seems out of context, your dog may be uncomfortable.
Meaning: Stress, discomfort, or a warning to give space.
Meaning: Fear, conflict, or an attempt to self‑soothe.
Meaning: Guilt, uncertainty, or submission.
Meaning: Relaxed and content.
Meaning: Anxiety, fear, or stress.
Meaning: Fear or defensiveness; may also indicate a medical issue.
Meaning: Submission or trust—though sometimes fear.
Meaning: Affection and bonding.
Meaning: Possible skin irritation, allergies, or boredom.
Meaning: Alert, stimulated, or feeling threatened.
Meaning: Anxiety or restlessness.
Meaning: Heightened anxiety, especially if paired with whining or panting.
Meaning: High alert or arousal—could be fear, excitement, or aggression.
Meaning: Preparing for aggression; often paired with alert ears and a closed mouth.
Meaning: Escalating aggression or a warning to back off.
Meaning: A friendly greeting and information‑gathering.
Refusing food, withdrawing, or becoming lethargic.
Meaning: Fear, anxiety, or illness—needs attention.
Meaning: Possible separation anxiety or excess energy.
Meaning: Focused, alert, and potentially preparing for aggression.
Meaning:
With a wagging tail: calm or happy
With a growl: fear or readiness to react
Meaning: Alert and preparing for action—could be playful or aggressive depending on context.
Meaning: Warning or perceived threat.
Meaning: Playful vocalization, often during tug‑of‑war.
Meaning: Uncertainty; assessing the situation.
Meaning: Serious warning; the dog is unhappy and may escalate.
Meaning: Excitement or eagerness—often a “happy to see you” bark.
Meaning: Wanting something—attention, food, comfort, or reassurance.
Meaning: Communication for attention or responding to other dogs; some breeds howl more than others.
Recognizing these cues helps you support your dog during training, socialization, and everyday life. Pay attention to what triggers stress and work to gently desensitize your dog to those situations.
For additional help with training and behavior, Baxter & Bella offers excellent resources for understanding canine communication and managing common challenges.
If your dog consistently displays signs of pain, fear, or distress, or if their behavior suddenly changes, reach out to your veterinarian. Body language can be the first clue that something deeper is going on.