Dogs are one of the most intelligent and complex animals on earth. They have been deeply dependent on humans in many respects, not least their ability to understand human language and interact with you. To truly understand what your faithful friends need, you have first to learn how they communicate.
The following details will teach you all about how dogs use their body language and senses to tell you things they can’t say aloud. Dogs are the most expressive and communicative animals on Earth. They tell people how they feel through their eyes, ears, tail, mouth, body positions, and even paws. Here are six everyday moods your dog communicates to you:
- Excited – Your dog is wagging its tail and prancing around. Its ears are perked up high, and its eyes have a sparkle in them.
- Angry – Your dog eyes you with an aggressive look and might growl, snarl or hiss.
- Happy – Your dog’s ears are picked up, and it has a smile.
- Sad – Your dog eyes you with a somber look. It is anxious, doesn’t want to be left alone, or has lost its best friend.
- Relaxed – Your dog’s ears are open, eyes have no sparkle, and the tail is wagging slowly.
- Threat – Your dog eyes you with the most aggressive look, and his paw is trembling or tense.
Your dog shows this mood through its tail, ears, and body position. Let’s take a look at each one:
1. Tail
Your dog’s tail can help give you clues about your pet’s mood. If your dog’s tail is erect and wagging, the animal isn’t upset or nervous. If your dog’s tail is tucked away, it is uneasy or uncomfortable with something.
2. Ears
Ears pointing straight up or pricked forward show that your dog is alert and interested. Erect ears point to interest, attention, and excitement. Conversely, drooping ears are a sign of anxiousness and fearfulness.
3. Body Position
Dogs have a natural body position. The normal function includes the head held high with the tail pointing straight out behind the dog while standing on all four legs, called the neutral stance. If you provide them with an underground fence from one-stop solution brands like Pet Stop, they will show different positions and helps you feel more lovable and comfortable. An upright posture means that your dog wants to communicate something. The forelegs are not locked or stiff and can be slightly bent at the elbows.
4. Paw Positions
Dogs use their paws to express different emotions. For example, if your dog holds its paw up, it expresses excitement, interest, and listening. On the other hand, it’s a sign of anxiety or attention-seeking behavior if it brings it foot down.
The one thing that should be noted is that each mood can be communicated through more than one of these signs. Both ears and tail movements can help you understand your dog’s perspective. It is not uncommon for dogs to have many more subtle expressions.
Dogs have a greater sense of smell and hearing than you, so if you can learn to be observant of these things, you will begin to develop your dog language and immediately connect with your pet.
