Dogs are very communicative animals. One way they communicate is with their body language. There are ten different gestures that a dog can make through their body language to express their feelings to another animal or human.
The following ten body language signals are unique and specific to only dogs.
10 Body Language Signals of Dogs
1. Tail Wag
The tail wag is used to indicate fear, happiness, or dominance. It is one of the most important body language signals that dogs can use to get their message across to the person or animal they are viewing. This signal has a lot of use and is important when communicating with other animals such as “fearful” dogs around wild animals such as raccoons or coyotes. When a dog wags its tail to a new dog, it lets the other dog know that they are not a threat and mean no harm.
When the tail wags low to the ground, it shows that you are not threatening or agitating them. The more rapid the wag, the less threatened or scared they are.
The tail may also be used when greeting friends. If a dog has not seen a buddy in a while and sees them again after being gone for quite some time, their tail will wag rapidly to show that they are happy to see them again.
When the tail is wagging up and down at the tip, it shows dominance over another animal. When their tail is erect and high in the air, it shows that they have no fear of the other dog or human.
2. Yawning
The yawn is one of the ways dogs communicate with one another. This is usually a sign that the dog is tired or is bored. Humans yawn when they are tired too. Dogs may also use this as a method of relaxation as it helps to stress them out.
Yawning can also let other dogs know that you are not threatening them and mean no harm. This is shown in dogs when they yawn in the presence of a dog they do not know well. When the dog’s mouth opens wide, it shows that they are not aggressive and mean no harm to other dogs around them. They are showing that they are not going to be aggressive with them. They want to make sure that they are not going to be attacked.
3. Legs/Arms Tension/Extended Arms
Dogs use tension in their legs and arms to signify power or dominance over another animal or person. Like in humans, the tension is used to show that they are intimidating to the other animal or person. This can be a good sign if you try to establish dominance over another dog, but it is a bad sign if you are trying to show domination over a person.
When a dog extends their legs and arches their back, it shows that they are tense and will attack at any moment. Dogs do this when they want to make sure that they will not be attacked or bothered by another dog or human. This is also used when they are trying to show dominance over something or someone.
During the fight, the dog will extend their legs and arch their back to bluff another dog or person into thinking that they will attack. They want you to believe that they are going to shoot at any moment. When a dog wants to show dominance or power over another animal, it will stoop on its forelegs and extend its rear end in the air. They will also stretch their mouth open to show that they are not scared and show that they can be aggressive.
4. Lips Pull Back
Lip licking is another sign of dominance in dogs. Dogs will usually lick their lips when trying to intimidate another dog or human or see the food they want. This is the same as yawning and instantly shows intimidation and aggression. It is a threatening gesture that intimidates others from going near the food or thing they want to protect. It also shows that they have power over the other animal.
The lip-licking gesture is usually made when a dog senses another dog approaching in a threatening manner. This gesture is used as a way to let the other dog know that “I am not going to allow you to come here and eat all my food.” It lets others know that the dog means no harm if they are seen as “a threat.”
This signal is also used when the dogs want to get away from something, especially when they are hungry. When they see food, they start to drool and want to eat but have to take a break in the action. It lets the other animal know that they will not attack as they have found something important.
5. Peace Gesture (Paw On Hand)
This is a signal that is used when the dog wants peace from another dog or person. The dog will place the dog’s paw on top of another dog’s hand or paw to signify friendship and peace between others. This is often used when there are multiple dogs in the same house or yard, and one dog wants to make sure that the others know that he does not want a fight. He will usually put his paw on top of the others as a sign that he does not want a fight. This is done when the dog does not want to argue with another dog in the household.
The paw-on-hand signal is also used when one dog wants to show dominance over another dog. As the dog will be keeping his paw up on the top of another dog, they are showing dominance and are saying, “I am the alpha dog.” The other dog or person will want to know that they mean no harm when under their paw.
This gesture is also used in training. Dogs use them during play, and when they want to show another dog, they do not want to fight the other dog.
6. Play Gesture (Lip Curling Up)
Play is usually a sign of fun and plays among dogs. It can be used in a “Play bow” or “play roll” for a dog that wants to show submission to another dog or when they have said “No.” A play bow is used by dogs when they want to show submission, sometimes with the tongue sticking out of their mouth. They will then roll over on their backs and let out an “Oh-Oh.” This is used when they have said, “No. I am not going to play.” Dogs will also do this when they want to tell another dog that they are not interested in playing with them. It lets others know that they mean no harm and is a fun signal.
Like humans, dogs will use laughs, smiles, or wagging tails as an additional method of showing submission or peace. They may also use bows or paws on hand to let others know that they are just playing around and nothing else.
7. Play Bow/Play Submissive
A play bow is also used when they want to show submission towards another dog or other animals. They will do this when they are not interested in fighting with them, as well as when they want to “play.” The play bow is performed by putting their forelegs on the ground and bending their hind legs. Their ears will be up and facing the direction of another dog as a sign of “I am not going to fight with you. I am just going to play.”
Dogs will also use this when they want to show submission to a human or another animal. They will turn slightly sideways, put their ears onto the ground, and stick out their tongue towards the other dog. This is usually done when they want to show submission playfully.
Another play signal used by dogs is called the “play roll” or “play submissive.” This is similar to how dogs can roll onto their back and want to play with another dog. Dogs will do this when they want to show submission and sometimes when they are not interested in playing.
“Yawning” is also a good form of showing that a dog is not aggressive or interested in fighting. When they yawn, it shows that they are tired and do not want to play at the time. Dogs will also use their mouths wide open as a way of saying, “I do not want to hurt you. I am tired.”
8. Yawning Gesture While Playing
Yawning is used when the dog is tired and does not want to fight with another dog or human. The yawn is performed by opening their mouth and sticking out their tongue. It shows the other dogs that they are not interested in fighting or getting into an argument with them at the time. It also shows that they do not want to harm them, as some dogs may look very aggressive when they yawn and open their mouths very wide.
Yawning can also be used as a form of playing between dogs. Usually, more dominant dogs will yawn at the other dog if they are interested in playing with him. It shows that the dog is not being aggressive with his mouth wide open and is letting the other dog know that he wants to play.
Yawning can also be used when one dog does not want to fight or when they want to show submission to another animal or person. The dog will yawn and stick out its tongue to show that the dog is tired and does not want to fight.
9. War Gesture (Lip Curling Up)
War is used when two or more dogs want to show that they are not willing to fight. They will show this by curling their lips up, wriggling their noses, and raising their eyebrows. This gesture is often used when dogs protect food from another dog or feel threatened by another dog. This will tell the other dog that they will not fight and want to protect their food. This is also used when one dog is on a leash and does not want to fight with another dog.
War is also used when two dogs are getting into an argument about something. When they have each other on leashes or are close to each other, they will stick out their backsides towards the other dog or person as a way of saying “I do not want to fight with you. I am just playing around.”
War is used when two dogs are not interested in fighting with each other. They will lower their fronts and raise their backsides as a sign of “I do not want to fight with you. I am just playing around.”
Puppies also use war.
10. Play Dog-to-Dog!
Play is usually between two or more dogs, but sometimes it can be used between only one dog and another animal, like a baby bird or another dog. It is usually used when the dog is playing with a dog or puppy. The other dog will play with the dog by bringing their backside over and rolling around together. It shows a sign of “I do not want to fight with you.”
In Summary
It is important to understand a dog’s body language because it can help you understand its mood and predict its behavior. This can be especially helpful if you have a new dog at home or if your dog is feeling unusually difficult to read.
Body language is one of the most important information sources that dogs offer us, but it is easily misunderstood because we cannot communicate in their language. Dogs do not use words to express themselves – they use their body to speak for them. A dog’s body language includes facial expressions, eyes, ears, mouth, and tail.
With just a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to look at your dog and know how it’s feeling. This will help you communicate better with your dog as well as avoid problems before they occur. If you can read your dog’s body language correctly, you can enjoy having a healthier and happier relationship together.
