Body Language

Wagging Tail = Friendly Dog?

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Published: 3/25/2008 4:04 pm

Updated: 3/27/2008 3:08 pm

Dogs communicate with one another using their bodies, vocalizations and some marking behaviors. There will be some variance based on individual dogs and breed characteristics, and it is important to observe the whole dog. Seek professional help if you are not sure about a behavior your dog is exhibiting.

Calming Behaviors*

• Lip Licking
• Yawning
• Shaking body (the same as after a bath)
• Averting eyes, turn body away (If I don’t see you, you’re
• Sniffing the ground more than normal

*On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas

	Submissive, Appeasing, Fearful	Relaxed, Calm, Confident	Alert, Aroused, Tense
BODY	• Back or lowered, hackles may be raised	• Vertical, standing straight, full height, body soft • “Play Bow”: an invitation to play; sending a message that behavior that might look like aggression is play.	• Forward, standing tall, hackles may be raised, body tense or stiff
TAIL	• Tucked or curled under • Neutral, fast wag	• Low and still • Neutral, fast wag • Neutral with a slow steady wag	• High, still, or fast wag
EARS	• Pinned Back	• Back and Relaxed • Forward and Relaxed	• Pricked Forward
EYES	• Averted, no eye contact • Squinting, eyes closed	• Squinting, eyes closed: happy greeting • Soft, direct eye contact	• Eyes open wide • Hard Stare
MOUTH	• Lips back (may be a “submissive grin”) • Licking lips, yawing	• Lips neutral, soft	• Lips forward, may be lifted: possible intention to bite