Interpreting Your Dog's Language and Behavior

Health-Know-How

INTERPRETING YOUR DOG'S
LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR

FINE

RELAXED DOG

Tail neither high nor between the legs

Ears relaxed

Blinking

Open mouth

READY TO PLAY

This is a temporary posture
before the dog move

High tail, waving rather than wagging

Rear end raised

Ears pricked up

Dilated pupils

Front legs lowered, lowering the front of the body

Open mouth, tongue out

I can approach the dog happily and ask him to come to me.

ALERT

The dog does not make contact, it gives signs of appeasement to avoid conflict, ask for space, to relax.

DIFFERENT APPEASEMENT SIGNALS

Raised paw

Excessive yawning

Licks lips repeatedly

Turns head away

I step back, crouch down and wait for the dog to approach me.

DANGER

AGGRESSIVE POSTURE

Ears forward

Bristling coat

High tail

Teeth visible

Leaning forwards

DEFENSIVE POSTURE

Evasive stance

Bristling coat

Ears back

Tail between the legs

Visible teeth

I shouldn’t approach the dog.