Canine Body Language
In this section, learn more about dog body language and how they communicate. Understanding dog body language can help you:
- recognize fear
- assess when it is safe to handle or approach a dog
- identify when your dog needs help
Dog body language can be complex. Learning how to understand body postures and behaviors is important. Dogs communicate in many ways:
- with their full body
- using more subtle cues with ears, eyes, mouth, and tail positioning
- via muscle tension and weight distribution
Dogs also show specific behaviors when threatened or when trying to calm themselves.
Learning dog body language helps you understand how a dog feels in specific environments and situations. Then you can avoid placing their dogs in situations where they may be fearful. We want to prevent our dogs from feeling like they need to protect themselves by fighting or fleeing.
Understanding signs of stress and fear:
- increases dog and human safety
- promotes canine physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being
- protects the human-animal bond
People are better at identifying happy body language in dogs rather than fear.
Pet owners don’t always recognize stress in their dogs.
Wan, M., Bolger, N., and Champagne, F.A. (2012). Human perception of fear in dogs varies according to experience with dogs. PLoS One, 7(12), e51775, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051775
Mariti, C., Raspanti, E., Zilocchi, M., Carlone, B., and Gazzano, A. (2015). The assessment of dog welfare in the waiting room of a veterinary clinic. Animal Welfare, 24(3), 299-305.
A dog’s body language such as fear of an approaching stranger can be used to assess animal welfare.
Bauer A.E., Jordan M., Colon M., Shreyer T., Croney C.C. (2017). Evaluating FIDO: Developing and pilot testing the Field Instantaneous Dog Observation tool.Pet Behaviour Science, 4, 1-16.
Dog experience makes it easier to recognize signs of fear in dogs.
Wan, M., Bolger, N., and Champagne, F.A. (2012). Human perception of fear in dogs varies according to experience with dogs. PLoS One, 7(12), e51775, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051775
Canine Body Language Library
Bare Bones – If you only have a few minutes for the basics
SNACKS – If you want to learn more
The Four "Fs" of Fear
Never Stare at a Dog
Doggie Language: A Dog Lover's Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend
Understanding Canine Facial Expressions and Body Postures
Dog Body Language 101
On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals
Canine Behavior: A Photo Illustrated Handbook
Kibble – If you want to take a deep dive into the Science
The Relationship of Adult Morphology and Early Social Signaling of the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris)
Refining Canine Welfare Assessment in Kennels: Evaluating the Reliability of Field Instantaneous Dog Observation (FIDO) Scoring - CRONEY RESEARCH GROUP
Evaluation of an Easy-to-Use Protocol for Assessing Behaviors of Dogs Retiring From Commercial Breeding Kennels - CRONEY RESEARCH GROUP
Evaluating FIDO: Developing and Pilot Testing the Field Instantaneous Dog Observation Tool - CRONEY RESEARCH GROUP
Human Perception of Fear in Dogs Varies According to Experience with Dogs
Additional Resources to Support Dogs in Other Environments
SHELTER & RESCUE
Dogs living in shelter or rescue kennels face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers, including those caring for dogs in home-based foster systems or rescue networks, are provided to support efforts to improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.
PET FAMILIES
Dogs living in homes as family pets face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers, support the human-animal bond, keep pets in their homes, and improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.
Research & Teaching
Dogs living in research or teaching kennels face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers are provided to support efforts to improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.
Applications for Research & Teaching
Applications for Pet Families
Self-Reported Comprehension Ratings of Dog Behavior by Puppy Owners
Dogs show a range of behaviors that reflect their emotional state. It is important that dog owners recognize these behaviors to accurately assess their dog's emotional state. We examined dog owners' self-reported comprehension (SRC) of their dog's emotional state. Eighty-nine participants attending puppy socialization classes at local veterinary clinics in the Melbourne Metropolitan area, Victoria, Australia, rated their comprehension of their dog's emotional states (Happy, Sad, Anxious, Angry, Friendly Greeting, and Anxious Greeting) and listed the behaviors they used to judge the emotional state of their dog.
The 4F’s of Fear- Fear Responses
Leslie, R. (2022, July 25). The 4f's of fear- fear responses. Welfare For Animals. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from https://www.welfare4animals.org/blog/the-4fs-of-fear-fear-responses
What is Your Dog Trying to Tell You?
Schurman, R. (2021, September 21). What is your dog trying to tell you? Dog Adventures Northwest. Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://dogadventuresnw.com/what-is-your-dog-trying-to-tell-you/
How Can I Tell if My Dog is Afraid?
Todd, Z. (2018). How Can I Tell if My Dog is Afraid? Retrieved June 21, 2023, from https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2018/07/how-can-i-tell-if-my-dog-is-afraid.html.
Calm and Relaxed? Or Shut Down? Body Language References
Eileen and Dogs (2013). Calm and Relaxed? Or Shut Down? Body Language References. Retrieved June 21, 2023, from https://www.dropbox.com/s/bkb1lbpr6820eh7/CALMandRELAXEDorShutDown.jpg?dl=0.
Doggie Language
Chin, L. (2011). Doggie Language. Retrieved June 21, 2023, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/lilita/5652847156/sizes/l/.
Applications for Shelter & Rescue
Let's Speak Dog
I Speak Dog (n.d.) Let's Speak Dog. Retrieved June 21, 2023, from http://www.ispeakdog.org/lets-speak-dog.html.
Transition and Stress
Center for Shelter Dogs. (n.d.). Transition and Stress. Tufts University: Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved June 21, 2023, from https://centerforshelterdogs.tufts.edu/dog-welfare/transition-and-stress/.
Canine Body Language in the Shelter
Bennett, S. (2012). Canine Body Language in the Shelter. Maddie's Fund. Retrieved June 21, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFFto1XVtxI.
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