40+ Body Language Tips Every Dog Owner Should Know

Communication is a core part of our society, as it helps us build relationships. Like humans, dogs have verbal and non-verbal ways of communicating, some of which you may have no problem decoding, and some may leave you feeling lost. Besides verbal cues, your pooch can communicate using their tail, mouth, eyes, and ears. Most verbal cues are easy to understand; understanding your dog becomes much easier once you understand what non-verbal cues like a wagging tail or pricked ears mean.

For Different Reasons

Context clues are vital when it comes to yawning in dogs. A dog may yawn for several reasons - such as mimicking your behavior, tiredness or boredom, and regulating stress levels.

Your dog may also yawn to deflect a threat. For instance, if an unfamiliar person or animal approaches, the dog may avert its gaze and yawn. This is their way of saying they see the unfamiliar entity as a potential threat but will not attack.

An Increase in Stress Levels

One of the ways you can tell a dog is feeling tense or wary is by their tightly closed mouth. A calm, relaxed, and happy dog will have their mouth hanging open, but a clenched jaw may mean the dog distrusts someone or something nearby.

A dog who's feeling submissive may also have its mouth closed, with their lips slightly pulled up at the corners. However, generally, when a panting dog suddenly closes their mouth in response to their environment, it indicates an increase in stress levels.

Scared or Ashamed

A tucked tail mainly indicates fear or anxiety. If your pooch suddenly puts their tail between their legs due to a trigger in the environment, it's probably frightened. A tail tucked beneath the abdomen indicates the dog is very frightened, while one below the topline may tell you the dog is unsure.

Your dog may also tuck their tail when they're sad or ashamed. For instance, if they've peed in the house and feel ashamed, you may have a tucked-tail situation. Other reasons your dog's tail may be tucked include having a fractured tail, impacted or infected glands, or having Limber Tail Syndrome.

Trembling

If your dog is trembling in response to a new person or animal being around, it's safe to say your pooch is scared. However, if it's freezing outside and your dog is trembling or shivering, give them a sweater or cover them in something warm.

Trembling or shivering may also indicate that your dog is ill or poisoned. If your dog is shivering a lot or has been shivering for a while, we highly suggest contacting a vet.