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Dogs communicate mainly through body language, using various signals to express their feelings, needs, and intentions. Understanding these signals can improve your relationship with your furry friend and help you respond appropriately to their needs. Here’s the most common body language cues dogs use and what they usually mean.

Tail Position and Movement

• Wagging Tail: A wagging tail is normally associated with happiness, but the speed, direction, and height of the wag can provide additional insights.
• Fast Wagging: Shows high excitement or arousal. However, it can also mean nervousness or agitation.
• Slow Wagging: Indicates the dog is feeling cautious or unsure about a situation.
• High Tail: When a dog’s tail is held high, it often indicates confidence, dominance, or alertness. This posture can also indicate that the dog is trying to assert control over a situation.
• Low Tail: A low tail position can mean submission, fear, or relaxation, depending on the overall context and additional signals.

Ears

• Pricked Ears: When a dog’s ears are standing up and facing forward, it shows that the dog is alert and interested in something in their environment.

• Flattened Ears: Ears pinned back against the head can shows fear, submission, or potential aggression, particularly if combined with other tense body language.
• Relaxed Ears: Ears that are in a natural, relaxed position usually indicate that the dog is calm and content.

Eyes

• Direct Stare: A direct, unblinking stare can be a sign of a challenge or aggression. Dogs use this intense eye contact to state dominance or to warn others to back off.
• Averted Gaze: Avoiding eye contact by looking away is a sign of submission or discomfort. It’s a dog’s way of showing they are not a threat.
• Soft Eyes: Soft, blinking eyes indicate relaxation and friendliness. This expression is often seen when dogs are happy and content.
• Whale Eye: When the whites of the eyes are visible (often called “whale eye”), it signals anxiety, fear, or stress. This is usually seen when a dog feels cornered or threatened.

Mouth and Lips

• Panting: Panting is a normal cooling mechanism for dogs, but excessive panting can also be a sign of stress, fear, or excitement.
• Yawning: Dogs often use yawn as a calming signal to soothe tension or stress in themselves or others around them.
• Lip Licking: Lip licking is additional calming signal that dogs use to show anxiety or submission. It can also indicate that the dog is uncertain or uncomfortable.
• Bared Teeth: Showing teeth is a clear warning sign of aggression. This can range from a subtle lift of the lips to a full snarl.