What Is My Dog Trying to Tell Me? Understanding Canine Communication

Dogs are sentient beings with the capacity to experience a wide range of emotions similar to ours. (confident canine training 2024)

Dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago and we have created a special bond our dogs have a better bond than any other pet!

 But have you ever wondered what your dog is truly trying to communicate with you?  The more overt behaviours, such as barking and lunging can be obvious, but before these, there are often covert, less obvious signals that your dog is communicating. The behaviours escalate when we don’t listen to them. 

Whether through barks, body language, or facial expressions, your dog constantly talks—you just need to know how to listen. Understanding what they are trying to tell you can help increase your bond and reduce stress and adverse behaviours 

 Here’s a guide to understanding what your furry friend might be trying to tell you.

Do dogs understand what other dogs are saying?

Yes, dogs have their own language and understand what other dogs are saying, even if they choose not to listen and act upon it!

What are dogs trying to communicate?

Dogs communicate all the time, with us, other animals and the environment. They have a special, unique communication system.

Dogs have many flexible ways to tell us how they are feeling. They use their whole body—the ears, eyes, tails and olfactory system to communicate.

They communicate all sorts of things but mostly how they are feeling, and when they want a tasty treat or its walkies time!

Dog Communication Signals

The Power of the Bark

Barking is perhaps the most obvious way dogs communicate, but not all barks are the same. Paying attention to the type, frequency, and tone of the bark can help you understand what’s on your dog’s mind. Barks are used in various behavioural contexts. Warning of a threat, a happy greeting, during play, for attention or when scared or anxious. 

It is important to understand what the bark is telling us so we can act appropriately

• Short, sharp barks: These are often alert signals, indicating that something or someone is nearby. Your dog might be saying, "Look at this!" or "Something’s happening!"

• High-pitched barks: Excitement or playfulness is usually behind these. Your dog might be inviting you to join in a game or is just happy to see you.

• Low, growling barks: These tend to be more serious and can indicate your dog is feeling threatened, anxious, or protective.

• Growling is the communication of excitement and a warning. Look at the situation and other signals, are they tense or in a threatening situation, or are they happy playing?

Tail Talk: More Than Just Wagging

We all know that a wagging tail often means a happy dog, but there’s more to tail movements than meets the eye. Sometimes the tail wagging means they are stressed and unhappy with the situation. 

• Fast, broad, loose wagging: This is usually a sign of excitement and friendliness. Your dog is thrilled and ready to engage.

• Slow wagging and tightness: A slow wag can indicate your dog is unsure or processing a situation. They might be figuring out if something is safe or how to approach it.

• Tucked tail: A low or a tail tucked between the legs signals fear. If your dog’s tail is low or hidden, they may be nervous, scared, or feeling insecure.

• Straight, stiff tail: This posture often means alertness or anticipating a threat. If your dog’s tail is held straight up and rigid, they could be sizing up a situation.

How your dog carries their tail is a valuable way to help you understand your dog.

Learn the differences your dog shows so you can best support your dog and change their emotional state.

How do you know when a dog is trying to tell you something?

Body Language: The Silent Communicator

Your dog’s body movements can be subtle but powerful indicators of how they feel. Here are a few common postures and what they might mean:

• Relaxed body: A dog that’s calm and at ease will have a loose, relaxed body, often accompanied by soft eyes and an easy gait. This dog feels safe and content.

• Cowering or shrinking back: If your dog is trying to make themselves smaller, it’s a clear sign of fear, anxiety, or discomfort.

• Play bow: This is when your dog lowers their front half while keeping their back end up in the air. It’s a universal sign that your dog wants to play and have fun.

• Raised hackles: If the fur along your dog’s back stands up, they’re feeling threatened or agitated. This doesn’t always mean aggression, but it signals heightened emotions.

Subtle signs of stress and discomfort. 

The Mouth

The dog's mouth has a lot to say!

As with all communication, the difference between relaxed and tense is a valuable sign of stress. 

• Opening and closing the mouth - They can be processing their environment and figuring out if they need to act. 

• A tightly closed mouth - is a sign that they are stressed, and this can lead to an explosion of behaviour.

• Showing their teeth, or lifting their lips, is a warning to back off!

• Lip licking - this indicates a stress response and they are trying to calm down. 

• Panting - when your dog is not hot and they are panting it is a sign of pain or stress. 

• Yawning

The Ears

Dogs' ears are an obvious giveaway to what they are feeling. Some dogs have floppy ears, some straight up, some curled, but they all communicate!

• Ears straight back pinned to the head - this can be a sign that they are scared. But it can happen during excitement so look at everything else!

• Ears To the side, held tight - this could mean that they are unsure and assessing the situation, they may change from pinned back to this as they assess the situation.

• Relaxed ears tend to mean that the dog is contented. 

• Ears forward: When a dog’s ears are pricked forward, they are paying close attention to something. This posture indicates curiosity or alertness.

Facial Expressions: Eyes and Ears Speak Volumes

A dog’s face can tell you so much if you know what to look for:

• Soft, blinking eyes: These indicate relaxation and comfort. Your dog feels calm and secure in your presence.

• Wide eyes or "whale eyes": If your dog’s eyes are wide, showing the whites (whale eyes), they are likely scared or feeling defensive. This could mean they want space or are uncomfortable with what’s happening.

• Deep furrows in the brows can indicate that they are unhappy and may escalate into reactivity

How to Respond to Your Dog’s Communication

You can listen to your dog by understanding what they are communicating and acting upon it. 

If your dog is reacting adversely to a specific trigger removing them away from the situation can help. 

• Acknowledge their needs: If your dog is barking because they are scared, find out what the triggers are and help them feel safe.

• Respect boundaries: If your dog is showing signs of fear or anxiety, like cowering or growling, give them space and figure out what’s causing discomfort.

• Positive reinforcement: When your dog uses calm, polite behaviours to communicate, reward them with treats or affection. This encourages good communication habits.

Conclusion

Dogs may not speak our language, but they are constantly communicating with us through a range of signals. 

By paying attention to their body language, and behavior, you can better understand what your dog is trying to tell you. 

This not only helps you meet their needs but also strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend.