Do You Really Understand the Top 10 Body Language of Dogs?

Dogs are our human companions. they're smart, cute, lovely and enthusiastic, and dependable to their owners. But dogs can't speak. In many cases, the owner can only interpret their thoughts or needs through the dog's visual communication. Today, let the dog's master of interpretation-veterinarian Xiao Ming analyze one or two for you! (Don’t laugh, I feel Xiao Ming’s professionalism)

body language of dogs

Dogs use actions and barking to precise their meaning, but persistently we don’t fully comprehend it. What can we rely on? Guess! The veterinarian Xiaoming isn't a guess.

After years of addressing dogs, the veterinarian Xiaoming gained the trust of the dogs. The dogs entrusted me to dreams! Well, yes, this sentence is formed up!

body language of dogs

What is the body language of a happy dog?

1. Wag the Tail 

Tail wagging is that the most typical action a dog does. Under normal circumstances, as everyone thinks, tail wagging could be a dog expressing happiness and excitement.

body language of dogs

But after years of research by veterinarian Xiao Ming! play the blackboard! Here comes the focus!

When dogs are wagging their tails, they lift up and swing to the correct, which implies they're in an exceedingly happy state; but if they swing to the left quickly, it shows that they're in a state of tension and anger. At this point, please be immediate. ! after all, if you don’t want to measure or rummage around for a bite, Xiao Ming, the veterinarian, won’t stop!

body language of dogs

The dog hangs its tail and clings to its buttocks, indicating that it's filled with vigilance and anxiety, which is typically the case with stray dogs. When a stray dog ​​wags with its tail clamped, it shows that it's on alert but wants to point out you are good. Kind-hearted you, if you've got something to eat and drink at this point, you would possibly also provide it alms!

2. Barking

Barking is also an act of expressing emotions and wanting to communicate. But different barking has different meanings. After years of veterinarian Xiaoming’s attention to the dog’s voice, he researched it out... (Blow a cowhide, no one beats me!)
A short, sharp bark or two is a greeting, usually when a dog goes out and meets a partner.
Gradually barking loudly, emotionally excited, some dogs will bark excitedly when going out to play! Commonly known, the dog is crazy!
The continuous rapid barking is the dog sounding the alarm: there is a problem, someone has invaded our domain!

body language of dogs

Continue to bark, but very slowly: the intruder is approaching, ready to fight, this is a warning to the intruder.
The protracted, uninterrupted barking is the barking of the dog after being locked up, indicating that I am lonely and I need a companion. This is a good way for dogs to pretend to be pitiful. The veterinarian Xiaoming's Erha often does this. However, I won't be reluctant at all!


A series of screams is the dog's response to severe fear and pain.

A soft, low-pitched bark, a threat, means: Don’t get close, or I will bite you!

A louder and longer cry, Bo sympathizes, usually when a dog is waiting for food.

What do ears back on a dog mean?

3. Ears

The ear is a body that conveys the subtle psychological changes of the dog. Different forms and postures indicate different meaning

body language of dogs

Ears upright: Dogs keep their ears upright, usually to hear the sound and focus on it, paying attention to a certain sound, searching for enemies, and discovering interesting things.


What the teacher said, listen carefully! Um, so, did the teacher treat us like dogs before! ? (Painful realization!)

For an aggressive dog, erect ears may be a question or warning for a specific target.

How do you tell if a dog is comfortable with you?

Suddenly pricked ears: When a dog feels threatened or provoked, it will suddenly prick up its ears and become hard. This is a signal that an attack is about to be sent. At this time, as the master, it's time to comfort the little guy, put your hand around his head, gently caress his back, and let him relax!

The hair around the ears is erected: When the dog feels fear, the hair around the ears will all explode forward, and the roots are distinct. But it may also be one of the signs of aggressive action, indicating that the dog is preparing to attack. When walking the dog outside, when you encounter a dog like this, he immediately pulls on the rope!

Leaning ears forward: This situation often occurs when you are praised, or when you win a battle with the same kind. It is a kind of show-off, showing your majesty and dignity.

Behind the ears: When encountering a tough opponent, it means showing good or weak to the opponent.

Ears tightened backward: The dog's performance when nervous or facing threats, may attack or run away!

4. Claw scratching the ground

Dogs scratch the ground with their paws. In most cases, the nails are too long and they are grinding their claws; but if there is water in the place where it scratches the ground, it means that it is to expand the water area and then lie on it to cool down.

body language of dogs

There is another reason: There are sweat glands on the bottom of the dog's feet, and the liquid secreted here can give off a dog's smell. When dogs rub their paws on the ground, they can stay on the ground more. In addition to using urine and feces, dogs are another way to mark sites.

5. Rub your butt

Rub your ass? Self-comfort? Forehead! It's not what you think! Everyone is an adult, so don't drive at every turn!

The most common cause is obstruction and inflammation of the dog’s anal glands. There is an anal gland on each side of the dog's anus. When the dog has a bowel movement, the anal gland secretes a special substance, which acts as a lubricant. When the anal gland is blocked, it will make it difficult for the dog to defecate and pain in the anus, so the dog will appear to rub his butt on the ground.

body language of dogs

When the dog's gastrointestinal discomfort pulls the stool, it touches the hair around the anus, feels itchy, and instinctively rubs on the ground;

Eat bones, dry and hard stools, squeeze the anus during defecation, cause inflammation, anal itching, or pain, and rub the buttocks;

Due to eating unsanitary water or meat products, parasites appear in the dog's body, excreted to the anus, it will be itchy, so rub the buttocks.

6. Stick your tongue out

The main reason why dogs stick out their tongues is heat!

Dogs are born without sweat glands and can only cool down by sticking their tongue out. When the dog sticks out his tongue and is panting very much, he needs to add water to the dog immediately.

body language of dogs

When extremely excited and excited, the dog will also stick out his tongue. At this time, sticking out his tongue means to "calm down" himself!

Stick your tongue out when you sleep, well, don't worry, they sleep very peacefully and maybe dream sweet dreams, such as dreaming of big bones or something. Erha foodies often do this, you see!\

What does it mean when a dog pushes his body against you?

7. Bare belly

How does a dog express happiness?

The belly is the most vulnerable part of the dog. The belly will be exposed only after the dog gets familiar with the owner. This proves that it trusts you and is catering to you. If you touch its belly lightly at this time, it will be very happy!

body language of dogs

When arguing with your companions, show your belly to express begging for mercy, which means: willing to surrender and show your belly as proof!


Lying on the ground with your belly rolling and opening your mouth and sticking your tongue out is a coquettish way of a dog, begging you to touch it!

Wang: Touch me! Touch me! quick! do not stop!!

In addition, to trusting and acting like a baby, showing your belly is a sign of forgiveness! The master was angry, pretending to be innocent, betraying her cuteness, and gaining the master's sympathy and forgiveness.

8. Tilt your head

Many people think that dogs tilt their heads as a sign of their cuteness. People are cute, do they need to sell it? funny!

That's right, this action of a dog can really make people unnecessary, but in fact, the dog tilted his head to guess your emotions by thinking about your expressions and eyes.

body language of dogs

Why do you want to tilt your head? You can try to make a fist and place it in front of the nose to imitate a dog's proboscis. At this point, you will understand what the dog's field of vision is like. Because their long nose blocks their sight, they must tilt their heads too far to see your entire face. (High nose is also guilty, haha!)

In addition, the purpose of tilting the head is to hear the sound more clearly and to determine the source of the sound.

How do you tell a dog you love them? or  How do I know if my dog is happy?

9. Licking

Many dogs like to lick people, especially some large dogs. Suddenly lick you when their mouths are full of water. It really feels like... I believe many shit shovelers have a deep understanding.

body language of dogs

Dogs licking people are affected by their mothers, because mothers will lick newborn dogs to help them clean and groom. This loving act is a natural manifestation when a dog loves you.

When it is too boring, it will attract your attention by licking you, wanting you to play with it and make trouble;

When dogs lick people, their brains release amine polyphenols. This makes them happy.

Licking people is also a sign that a dog is hungry, reminding you that it is hungry or thirsty!

I think you taste good, and your salty and sticky sweat actually tastes good to it, or you have just finished eating and there is a residual odor on your mouth, and the dog will want to lick it when it smells it!

10. Sniff each other

Studies have shown that dog noses are 10,000-100,000 times more sensitive than human noses. When a dog sniffs another dog’s butt, it is actually collecting important information from the other dog.


As for collecting information, guess what? Cough cough cough!

body language of dogs

Take the dog out for a walk, and when they meet their companions, they will run forward and sniff the other's ass. This is how dogs can distinguish and obtain information from each other by smelling the smell of anal glands.

But some dogs are more "arrogant" and don't want others to know their "identity", so they will spin around, flee and dodge each other's nose.

Well, today the veterinarian Xiao Ming interpreted the top 10 body language of dogs for everyone. I hope that after reading the article, everyone can better understand the "mind" of the dog! May all the dog slaves live smoothly and prosperously! You should also read "Dog Training at Home: 5 ways to let the dog stay at home obediently".