From birth, body language is the most natural language for a dog.Humans also use this language, but the body movements of a dog and a human can mean different things. The more familiar you become with each other’s body language, the more effective your communication will be.
A dog’s body and paws help it to express a number of different signals. Read what you can learn by looking at your pet.
The dog is lying down, with its front paws extended forward, the front part of its body pressed against the ground, the back part raised and its head on the ground. This position is called a playful greeting, indicating that the dog wants to play with you.
The dog stands confidently on straight limbs and can move slowly forward while maintaining a confident gaze. This means that the dog is ready for a duel with you as it feels its dominance in the situation. If the dog is inclined to dominate, it will always use this posture to demonstrate and prove its power.
If the dog’s body is thrust forward, it means thatd dog is ready to face danger and fight immediately.
When a dog is not willing to confront and is ready to obey, it lies on its back or on its side and shows its belly. This is a gesture of humility that helps to avoid conflict. An important nuance: if the dog is relaxed in this posture and the handler is nearby, it is a demonstration of recognition of the handler as leader. By turning belly up to the master, offering to pat his belly, the dog shows that he has accepted the master as the leader.
The dog may place its head on the other dog’s neck or place a paw on the other dog’s back. This is a gesture by dominant dogs, leader dogs, or dogs that want to become leaders, which shows who is the leader of the gang.
If, when interacting with a human or walking with its owner, the dog nibbles on its owner’s hand or leash, it is a sign that the dog probably does not recognise its owner as the leader.
The dog may use a variety of gestures to attract the owner’s attention, such as placing a paw on the knee, tucking the head under the arm, waving the paw sitting in front of the host.
If the dog brushes the crest or the entire length of the back of the coat, this is a signal to warn of the dog’s aggression. When a dog scratches its lower back, it is warning: ‘I’m angry, don’t touch me’. A scratch on the shoulders and ridges indicates that the dog is ready to attack.
The dog raises its front paw while sitting. This indicates that the dog is feeling insecure, worried and anxious.
The dog rubs its nose and muzzle with its front paws, rubs the ground with its chest, rolls on its back and rubs the ground with its back. Often the dog does this when being fed or when the owner is preparing edamame. The dog is showing anticipated positive emotions or is already enjoying them.
The dog digs up the ground and grass after doing its natural business. Since the dog’s paws have glands on them that give each animal its own individual scent, the dog leaves marks on the ground and grass that will tell other dogs that it was there.
If you observe the dog’s posture and body movements and listen to these signals, you will be able to correctly understand