How to Understand Your Dog Better

How to understand your dog's language. Things like tail or ear movements can indicate your dog's needs. This video can help you to better communicate with your dog.

How to Understand Your Dog Better: Communication Clues
Just like humans, dogs do get into moods and will try to communicate them to you. But it can be difficult to understand what they are saying just by looking at their body language. The great thing about dogs, and all types of dog breeds, is that they will not fake their emotions and they will try to tell you what’s going on. It’s important that as a dog owner, you learn their communication language and watch out for the tell-tale signs that your dog is giving to you. These communication signs can be broken down based on your dog’s physical body, such as the tail, eyes, ears, face and stance.
• Tail: the tail is one of the easiest communication methods to look out for. When a dog’s tail is lowered but still wagging, it can mean that he or she is playful, excited or that they know you are the one in charge. If the tail is lowered and wagging slowly, it could be that they are waiting for you to tell them what to do so that they understand what is currently happening.
◦ If the tail is raised but tremors, it could be your dog challenging you and your authority. If this happens, it means that the dog feels like they are in charge of the current situation and has authority over you.
◦ The most common and easiest recognizable communication form is when the tail is tucked between the legs. This is a very common sign for the dog being afraid, scared or uncomfortable either in the situation you are currently in or even of you. If you cannot discern what is causing your dog to be uncomfortable, and your dog does this frequently, it is a good idea to take them to the veterinarian.

[hweori]

*dogs don't fake their emotions*

my friend's dog fakes a limp to get attention

[nickaoke]

I watched this with my dog and he confirms all of these facts

[cmnya]

Day 99 of quarantine: watches how to understand dog language

[rade]

*Mean while in the alternative universe*


Dogs: how to understand humans

[stokedcreative]

My dog: *trusts me*

Also my dog: *IS TRYING TO DOMINATE ME*

[DaDawgy]

my dog: turns his back on me
me: aw :( my dog doesnt like me.
after watching the video
my dog: turns his back on me
me: OMG HE TRUSTS ME!

[milesarroyo]

**dog puts paw on knee**

Me: SO YOU CHOOSE DEATH?!

[zerxiiee]

My dog: * puts paw on leg *
Me:
me after watching video
My dog: * puts paw on leg *
Me: *DARE TRY ME YOU K9*

[ZaneGamesOfficial]

"The tail is one of the easiest communication methods to lookout for."
My Shiba Inu: *Curled Tail*

[sugakookie]

"dogs dont fake there emotions"
Mine is all lovey dovey until shes fed then she ignores me

[charadreemurr]

*Before watching this*

My dog: *Turns back to me*

Me: *How dare u.*

After watching this video

Me: _I trust u too._

[zzzut]

If I had a dog and he put his paw on my knee, I would give him a big hug instead of removing his paw firmly.

[itsamechols]

I mean I have a pug and the only form that his tail does is *CINNAMON ROLL*

[Teobi]

My dog sighs dramatically if she has to wait too long for a walk

[brianna.x]

"The tail is the easiest way to see what they mean."

_My dog with no tail:_

*am I a joke to you*

[bahmat]

*dog puts paw on my knee*

Me: Time for headlocks.

[leahdavie]

ME~*Turns head to look at dog*

DOG~*Turns head to look at me*

ALSO DOG~*Winks*😉

ME~Alr lets go play

[laurenmellen]

This is probably the best beginner's guide to dog body language I've found. They were pretty spot for the most part, but dog body language has a bit more nuance than that. Different signals displayed together can mean different things.

Ears back may mean fear, accompanied with wide eyes and a tucked tail, but they're also a way for an excited or relaxed dog to show respect.

Wide eyes are usually caused by overwhelming excitement or focus. You will have to be firm with your dog in this state to get them to listen.

Eyes so wide you can see the whites are a sign of intense emotion -- usually fear or a need to protect themselves or something they "own", but not always. Dogs who are protective of something, such as food, display this as a warning that they are going to bite. In this case, the pupils may widen as well. That being said, not all intense emotion is inherantly bad. My own dog bugs her eyes when she really, really, really, REALLY wants something. She's not aggressive about it, just intense.

This video is a great springboard for understanding, but not a perfect guide. Every dog is different. Watch your dog using the awareness you learned from this video. Get to know them better, and maybe learn some more about dog body language along the way.😁

[trilamhuu]

When their tail is low, it means they are low on health. Try feeding them food

[emiliospowerballer]

My dog just stares at me yet somehow i know what he wants even though he is expressionless