How to Understand Dog Speak

Do you ever wish your dog could communicate with you? The fact is your dog is talking to you all the time only he speaks with his own special form of “dog speak” that's not so hard to interpret once you understand it. Dog speak manifests itself as gestures your dog makes with his ears and tail. These gestures can provide you with a means of better understanding your dog's desires and behavior. Here are some simple ways to interpret your dog's behavior.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Watch your dog's ears.
   
   A healthy, alert dog usually has ears that are high on his head. This can also indicate a dog that's excited or curious or is eager to interact with you. Upright, high ears are also seen when a dog is begging for a bite of food. Upright ears don't always indicate a happy canine state since they may also be seen when a dog is manifesting dominance or aggressive behavior. At these times you may see your dog develop a stiff body or emit a low growl. Ears that are held back flat against the head usually indicates fear or anxiety particularly if your dog's body appears tense and rigid.
2. Watch your dog's tail.
   
   Another way a dog expresses himself is through tail movements and posturing. A happy, alert dog usually has an upright tail that's held high and may be wagging. The direction in which a dog's tail is wagging may say something about his mood. Studies have shown that when a dog feels positive about an encounter, his tail will wag more to the right as opposed to the left. A dog that's anxious or fearful will generally carry his tail lower or even hold it between his legs with limp posturing. This may also be a sign of submission in a dog. Dogs manifesting aggressive or dominant behavior generally have stiff tails that are held straight out and unmoving. You may also see other signs of dominance or aggression such as a snarl or growl.
3. Dogs also express themselves through body movements and body posturing. A dog who is manifesting aggressive or dominant behavior generally has tense, rigid body posturing and may have a slight body tremor. A submissive dog generally carries himself low and will roll onto the ground if directly confronted by a more dominant animal. A happy, carefree dog will have a relaxed body with lots of spontaneous bodily movements and a wagging tail.
4. The final way most dogs communicate is through sound. When interpreting dog behavior, listen closely to your dog's bark. If a dog is feeling anxious, fearful, or is manifesting submissive behavior, he may emit a soft whine or a yelping sound. When a dog is happy and secure he may bark spontaneously along with the other obvious signs of tail wagging and loose, spontaneous body movements. If your dog starts to snarl or growl, watch out! He's manifesting aggressive behavior and unless you break his focus, he may be in danger of attacking or biting.