Understanding Dog Body Language - Learn how to read dogs behavior better

Thank-you to all the people who donated video clips so this video can have a wide range of body language!

This video goes over very BASIC dog body language. This video is meant to give a brief overview of what it means when your dog does a certain behaviour.

Dog communication is one of the most misunderstood part of dogs and humans and causes tremendous amounts of problem for both species. If you can take a few parts of this video and apply it to your life and better understanding your dog you will have a more fulfilled relationship with your four legged pal.

[JodyRaines]

I like the fact that you combined the text on the screen with the videos depicting the behavior.  I am recommending this video to others because often the signs are misinterpreted - such as a wagging tail - and they do not always mean that the dog is friendly! 

[AndyRN]

This was really helpful. I'm volunteering at an animal shelter, so recognizing stress behaviors & calming signals are great - but knowing when to act and what to do is critical. This is the piece I'm working on. Thank you so much!

[JodyRaines]

You can always learn new things about dog body language and Kristin does a great job with video clips sharing stress behavior in dogs.  I am constantly reminded that there are many people who try to humanize dog behavior and who do not understand how close they are to their dog blowing a fuse.  Direct eye contact, smiling, high pitched voice, leaning over the dog, it's a recipe for disaster.   Highly recomment watching to learn the stress signals.  Lip licking, staring into space, ground sniffing, avoidance, the 'statue', panting, sweaty paws... all signals that humans need to recognize.

[ThatsSoGiorgio]

So I've been working at a dog kennel for 2 years now and I learned how to read dog behavior/body language over time. I think it's very important to understand not only your dog but other people's dogs. I see people who come pet a dog they just met from not only over their heads but also towering over them and that's a great way to intimidate a new dog and possibly get bit too. You should always get down to their level (Kneel down) and hold our a flat palm just barely under their chin. This gives them the chance to see you at eye level and they can monitor your movement. If they sniff your hand and approve then you may pet under their chin or their cheeks and make your way to the back/neck area and THEN pet the top of their heads. If they sniff your hand and turn away like this video mentions, don't make any more moves until the dog shows interest in you. It's really crazy how much a dog's behavior can tell you about the dog. Some dogs take a few times to warm up to you and some dogs simply don't wish to be bothered and there's nothing you can do there. Let the dog be, it doesn't plan on making any new friends.

[vyvyan]

Thank you Kristin for putting together this video. Actually seeing the body language displayed between dogs is so much better than reading about it. No disrespect to books. I'm looking forward to your next edition on this subject. 

[AshleyPaintner]

These are my favorite videos to share with clients!!!! Thank you!!!!

[jhyibcu]

I am a canine behaviorist. I just wanted to say this is the best video on canine body language I've seen so far! Great job! ^_^

[tinjavier]

Thank you! This video is so informative. We adopted two puppies for the first time and we were nervous with the way they play, the high pitched barks, so seeing many samples and warning signs helped alot

[heronho]

Fan -freaking -tastic video!! I'm a regular foster and I am going to send this to ALL new adopters from now on!! Thank you so much for making this video. It is much much appreciated

[dogfullife]

Love both the part 1 and part 2 of these videos. Being able to watch actual video clips of real dogs displaying the body language signals is so valuable. I'm a dog trainer too and I require all my clients to watch them.

[jesse]

I see a lot of this behavior in my schnauzer/poodle mix. She was bit pretty badly a couple years back and still has anxiety issues around other dogs (she tends to distrust and fear all other dogs now sadly). Great video to help me understand some of what she's going through.

[RoughStoneRollingLapidary]

I really liked this video. If possible, id like going into even more detail even. What I appreciated was the videos of the exact behaviors in the moment paired with the examples. Most others will list behaviors over clips of smiling dogs running in fields or something. And to us learning, we may not know the subtle differences by word alone.

[crappyzombie]

I love this video! I have worked with dogs in a veterinary setting for over 5 years and I admit I have only fully learned this "secret language" in the past two years....I don't know how I ever worked with dogs before I had this knowledge!!

[atonito]

Very clear and easy to understand video. As one viewer already mentioned, by adding text/audio to the image, one can easily adopt the concept/idea. Plus the videos are great too! Many thanks for this!

[anjanowackadeklopp]

This video is the best video I have found until today to “read” dog language. Thank you!

[HowToTrainADreamDog]

Trainer and Behaviorist here, excellent video. great examples and clearly explained!!

[MizukiUkitake]

This video, I've found, is also helpful with reading cat-on-cat interactions. Sure, they have different kinds of body language, but the clip with the two pitbulls, for example, helped me to recognize when one of my cats is trying to tell the other cat he's crossed a line during playtime, and I was able to separate them before anyone got too upset.
It can be really hard for a lot of people to tell when an animal has crossed a line during play, so thank you so much for including those parts!

[kindfires]

Thank you!! I always get worried when I'm walking my dog and I have an encounter with another dog, since my dog is quite big and really playful he can be a bit much for other dogs sometimes, but what worried me the most was when to intervene and knowing what was okay for him to be doing and what wasn't. This will definitely help a lot :)

[LluulErmAvenir]

Thanks kristin. you hava done a very good work with this educative video. Thanks

[Christian_Girl]

Great video.  It helps me to understand dogs better.  Obviously  they can't "talk" to us, so we have to learn THEIR language so we can understand what they are telling us.