| Over the
years dogs have evolved an elaborate system of body language,
facial expressions, and vocalizations to communicate with each
other and all of these signals are easily understood by other dogs,
just as they could/should be by their human counterparts. |
| |
AGGRESSIVE |
Ears |
Forward
or back, close to head. |
Eyes |
Narrow
or staring challengingly. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Lips
open, drawn back to expose teeth bared in a snarl. Possible jaw
snapping. |
| Body |
Tense.
Upright. Hackles on neck up. Completely Dominant position. |
| Tail |
Straight
out from body. Fluffed up. |
| Vocalization |
Snarl.
Growl. Loud bark. |
| |
ALERT |
Ears |
Perked-up. Turning to catch sounds. |
Eyes |
Open
normally or wide. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Mouth
closed or slightly open with teeth covered. |
| Body |
Normal.
Possibly standing on tiptoe. Slightly Dominant position. |
| Tail |
Up.
Possibly wagging. |
| Vocalization |
None.
Low whine or alarm bark. |
| |
ANXIOUS |
Ears |
Partially back. |
Eyes |
Slightly
narrowed. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Mouth
closed, or slightly open in a "grin." |
| Body |
Tense.
Slightly lowered in a Submissive position. |
| Tail |
Partially lowered. |
| Vocalization |
Low
whine or moaning-type bark. |
| |
CURIOUS/EAGER/EXCITED |
Ears |
Perked-up, forward-pointing. |
Eyes |
Wide
open. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Mouth
open, teeth covered. Possible panting. |
| Body |
Normal
stance. Possible wiggling, standing on tiptoe, or pacing. |
| Tail |
Up.
Wagging. |
| Vocalization |
Excited
short barking, whining. |
| |
DOMINANT |
Ears |
Up
straight or forward. |
Eyes |
Wide
open, staring. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Mouth
closed or slightly open. |
| Body |
Very
tall posture. Hackles may be up. |
| Tail |
Stiffened and fluffed. Up or straight out from body. |
| Vocalization |
Low,
assertive growl or grunt. |
| |
FEARFUL |
Ears |
Laid
back flat and low on head. |
Eyes |
Narrowed, averted. Possibly rolled back in head, whites showing. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Lips
drawn back to expose teeth. |
| Body |
Tense.
Crouched low in submissive position. Shivering, trembling.
Possible secretion from anal scent glands. |
| Tail |
Down
between legs. |
| Vocalization |
Low,
worried yelp, whine, or growl. |
| |
FRIENDLY |
Ears |
Perked-up. |
Eyes |
Wide
open. Alert look. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Relaxed,
possibly slightly open, "smiling" mouth. |
| Body |
Normal
posture. Still, or possible wiggling of whole rear end. |
| Tail |
Up or
out from body. Wagging. |
| Vocalization |
Whimpering, yapping, or short, high bark. |
| |
PLAYFUL/HAPPY |
Ears |
Perked-up and forward, or relaxed. |
Eyes |
Wide
open. Sparkly/merry-looking. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Mouth
relaxed and slightly open, teeth covered. Excited panting. |
| Body |
Relaxed,
or front end lowered, rear end up in the air, wiggling in a
play-bow. Excited bouncing and jumping up and down. Circling
around and running forward and back in an invitation to play. |
| Tail |
Wagging
vigorously. |
| Vocalization |
Excited
barking. Soft play-growling. |
| |
SUBORDINATE (SUBMISSIVE) |
Ears |
Down,
flattened against head. |
Eyes |
Narrowed
to slits or wide open, whites showing. |
Mouth/Teeth |
Lips
pulled way back from teeth in a "grin". Nuzzling or licking
other animal or person on face. |
| Body |
Lowered
to ground, front paw raised. Lying on back, belly up. Possible
urine leaking/dribbling. Possible emptying of anal scent glands. |
| Tail |
Down,
between legs. |
| Vocalization |
None, or
low, worried whining. Possible yelping/whimpering in fear. |
