Do you ever wonder what your dog is trying to tell you? It is pretty sure that as a pet owner, you are spending most of the time talking and communicating to your dogs. But are you able to fully understand and get the signals? Learning our dogs’ body language would give us a better understanding of what they are saying to us and to other dogs. It will help us determine the behavior they are trying to show. In return, we would be able to give and take appropriate actions according to their needs.
Although dogs use sounds and signals, much of the information they send is through their body language, body postures and facial expressions. They use these to communicate their emotional state and their intentions to others around them.
When we are able to understand what our dogs are trying to say, it will give us a lot of useful information to respond and act accordingly. Dogs speak volumes with their bodies. Hence, it is of great help to understand our dogs body language and the typical signals they use.
Ears – If a dog’s ears are raised, he is relaxed or listening and reasonable content. He is unthreatened by any activity going on within his immediate environment. As our dog becomes more aroused, the ears will move forward and will point towards the subject of interest.
Eyes – When dogs are afraid and feeling tense, their pupils dilate and they show the white of their eyes or the so-called whale eye. But when our dogs’ eyes brighten and become almond-shape, he is relaxed and looking at a creature he considers friendly, approachable and will not be of any threat for him.
Tail – It is one of the most endearing features of our canines. Dogs’ tails can communicate a lot of information to humans, we just have to know how to interpret the signals. It can indicate what the dog is thinking and feeling. If your pet’s tail is held high and wagging, it shows happiness and a state of alertness. It means that the dog is cautiously excited and also demonstrating dominance. If a dog’s tail is held high and still, there is a desire to portray dominance and it indicates alertness from him. Dog’s tail that is held straight out means that he is responding neutrally. But be aware when a dog’s tail is held between the legs, because it means fear.
Several studies also show that the way dogs wag their tails mean a thing. If the tail is wagging more to the right, it is a sign of a positive feeling, the dog is experiencing pleasant emotions and is encountering something or someone already known to him. If the tails is wagging to the left, then it means that the dog is encountering a person or another dog that is not known to him and it indicates a negative feeling or wanted to show dominance.
Lips, teeth and tongue – A happy dog who is showing signals that he wants to play will normally pull his lips back and shows off his teeth and would appear to be a smile. This is very common when dogs send signals to human that they want some play and cuddle time with them. We must also be cautious when our dogs are yawning or lip licking, it is an early sign of stress.
So, if you are wishing that your dog talk to you, he surely does, just not with words. They also need us to understand what they need from us. Keep our eyes, ears and hearts open to understand what they are trying to say to us. It is but true that pet ownership is one of the greatest pleasures in life, it provides companionship, loyalty and giggles galore. After all, talking to our dogs are proven to be beneficial both to humans and to the man’s best friend.
Spring is finally here, and as a dog owner, it's important to make sure your furry friend is ready for the season. With a little bit of effort, you can help your furry friend transition smoothly into the spring season.
Here are seven dog care tips to keep in mind: