Written By: Zach Miller
"One of the most overlooked things I notice with myself and when training younger trainers, is they do not read the dog. Understanding what to look for and what these signs mean can be the difference between a chewed up leg and a successful training session."
As a professional dog trainer, one of the most important skills to have is the ability to read a dog's body language and just read a dog in general. Dogs communicate primarily through body language, and understanding what they are trying to tell us can help us better train and interact with them. I always preach that until dogs can speak out language, we have to find the middle ground. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed when working with owners is they make the wrong move or the wrong decision when the dog is clearly saying, “Hey, please don’t do that” and we didn't pick it up.
Short disclaimer here, I am not a behaviorist in any form, we all know these topics fall under the canopy of, “Every dog is different” and many are up to debate. These brief points are based on experience in the field and learning from mistakes made. Here are some key things to look for when reading a dog's body language:
1. Tail Position
A dog's tail can tell us a lot about their mood. A high, wagging tail usually indicates happiness and excitement, while a low, tucked tail can indicate fear or anxiety. Many times the tail will be a great way to initially gauge the situation and demeanor of the dog. If I walk in and have three dogs where two have a high wagging tail, the chances are they are probably greeting me already or on high alert. The remaining dog who has a lowered or tucked tail is either in a care-free state or is cautious/fearful. The things to consider about this is the approach method. Without diving into this strategy, never directly approach a cautious/fearful dog, this will only lessen your chances of bonding or building a relationship with this dog let alone train.
2. Ear Position
The position of a dog's ears can also give us clues about their mood. Ears that are perked up and forward usually indicate alertness or interest, while ears that are flattened against the head can indicate fear or aggression. Granted, these are generalized reads on a dog with this signal, as we know, all dogs have different ear shapes and sizes so a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd Dog will be much easier to read than say a Cane Corso. This can be a subtle and commonly overlooked signal as not many people think to look at the ears. Typically, ear position will be a great help when marking commands and identifying what perks a dog’s interest.
3. Eye Contact
Direct eye contact can be a sign of reactivity and sometimes aggression in dogs, so it's important to pay attention to how a dog is looking at you. A relaxed, soft gaze usually indicates a friendly or curious dog, while a hard stare can indicate aggression or fear. I was always taught to never lose a stare down with a dog, you always want them to look away first. While this could have been some fun talk amongst trainers, I often test this when I am just sitting near the dogs. Next time you are near your dog, give this a try and see who looks away first, it may give you an insight to who thinks they are running the house! Eye contact should be considered when closing distance and getting down to a dog’s point of view. As soon as I get down to their level this is immediately what I look for. Any reactive dog will give you “Whale Eye”, or when you see a crescent moon shape in the whites of their eyes. This indirect contact is a calming signal that says, “something is about to happen if you push any further”. Be sure to look for these signals when closing distance with a dog who is cautious or possibly reactive.
4. Body Posture
A dog's overall body posture can also give us clues about their mood. A relaxed, loose body usually indicates a happy and comfortable dog, while a tense, stiff body can indicate fear or aggression. Surprisingly, this one can be difficult to see at first, until you know what to look for, it is often overlooked. A loose body in this case is simply the dog being a dog, as I describe it. Picture your typical pup moving around the house or field just in normal form, this is a relaxed state. When a dog is tense, you will typically see multiple signals listed here displayed at once. Stiff body, tucked or still tail, whale eye when closing in, and licking of the lips in short stabbing motions are all indicators that we have a tense dog. A way I like showing this to individuals is using a simple “place” command, when the dog mounts the place bed, watch their hips, if their hips are upright and in a “pounce” position, the dog is tense and will typically get right off of the bed. If the hips roll over, the dog is more relaxed and will more than likely stay for a while. When referring to body language, this is a great one to look for with a combination of our signals.
5. Vocalizations
While body language is the primary way that dogs communicate, vocalizations can also give us clues about their mood. A low growl or snarl can indicate reactivity/aggression, while whining or whimpering can indicate fear or anxiety. Vocalization is something that is taken and misinterpreted over and over by owners. If a dog is in pain or something isn't right, they will typically vocalize with a bark or growl, this goes for the dogs who aren't vocal as well. Where I see a lot of owners mess up with vocalization interpretation is when the dog gets vocal in a place they don’t want the dog getting vocal, what do we typically hear, “Oh buddy, be quiet” or “Enough!”. As we stated above, dogs can’t speak our language, this will be interpreted from the dog as, “Oh, human is barking too, I’m doing the right thing”. In essence, we are conditioning this type of behavior. When it comes to this, redirect, give a command and reward when the desired behavior is shown.
Overall, reading a dog's body language is an essential skill for any professional dog trainer. By understanding what a dog is trying to tell us through their body language, we can build stronger relationships with our furry friends and help them become happy, well-behaved members of our families in the home and in the field. Always remember, read the room, read the situation and most importantly, READ THE DOG.
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