Decoding Canine Language: Posture, Mouth and Tail (Part 2)

May 21, 2024

After exploring eye contact and greetings, this second part focuses on the crucial signals sent by your dog's body. Analyzing its posture, mouth, and tail will allow you to understand its emotions and intentions.

Photo source: pixabay Pexels

1. How to read your dog's posture?

Your dog's overall posture and body movements reveal a great deal about its emotional state:

Relaxed posture:

Relaxed face and body, balanced posture, calm movements. The dog is carefree, serene and feels safe.

Posture of vigilance:

Ears pricked forward, head and body leaning forward, tail erect. Indicates interest, surprise, or curiosity in response to a change in the environment.

Hunting posture:

Slow and cautious gait, head and body close to the ground, fixed gaze. The dog is very focused and hunting (play or serious intent).

Uncertain stance:

Head down, front of body forward, tail stiff, and hind legs extended. The dog is hesitant (to flee or approach?), cautious, and seeking more information. This may indicate anxiety or curiosity.

Anxious posture:

Hunched over, tail tucked/lowered, head down, ears flattened, body still or trembling. Indicates great insecurity and paralyzing fear. The dog wants to avoid interaction.

Threatening posture:

A hard stare, clenched jaw, stiff, erect tail, and forward-leaning torso signal strong annoyance and determination. It's a clear warning before a fight.

Defensive posture:

Body curled up, tail down, growling/teeth showing, ears flattened. The dog is afraid, feels trapped and is ready to defend itself or flee.

Rage posture:

This is a last resort behavior when previous signals have been ignored. The dog lunges forward, growls with teeth bared, and the fur on its back stands on end. It attacks to protect itself under extreme stress.

⚠️ Respect Fear: If your dog adopts an anxious posture , respect their feelings. Never force them to confront what scares them, as this risks worsening their anxiety and breaking trust.

Photo source: The Good Dog

2. What message is behind my dog's mouth?

Interpreting facial expressions is tricky, as a signal of stress can be mistaken for joy.

Happy face : Jaw not closed, tongue retracted or relaxed, gentle gaze, relaxed ears. The dog is relaxed and serene.
Anxious expression : Often mistaken for a "smile." Lips pulled back with a grimacing expression, possible panting, tense body, lowered ears. This is a sign of stress or discomfort .
Closed mouth : Tight jaw, lips forward, hard gaze. Shows worry, restraint or annoyance.
Defensive mouth : Mouth open with teeth showing, lips forward, body tense. Shows stress and preparation for flight or defense.
A smile of appeasement : A wide, open smile with visible teeth, a low posture. Often misinterpreted as aggression or joy, it is a signal of goodwill tinged with uncertainty ("I come in peace").

3. The different positions and movements of the tail

Contrary to popular belief, a wagging tail isn't always a sign of happiness. It's crucial to analyze the height and type of the wagging.

Tail Position (Height)

Relaxed or neutral tail : The position depends on the breed. The hindquarters should be relaxed. This indicates joy and a relaxed state.
Low tail : Held close to the rear or tucked in (or lower than usual for naturally curled tails). Indicates a lack of confidence, anxiety, or fear.
Erect tail : High, stiff, or relaxed. Indicates a state of alertness, excitement, or agitation. The more excited the dog, the higher the tail will be, with rapid wagging.

Types of Heartbeats

Full (broad) heartbeats : A clear sign of joy and friendship.
Tight tail beats : Associated with a low tail, they are a sign of anxiety or tension, not a friendly signal.
High and stiff beats : If the hindquarters do not wiggle and the face is tense, it is a sign of agitation or tension.
Circular wagging : If the tail makes rapid circular movements with a wagging body, the dog is extremely happy and playful.

Conclusion

Although your dog doesn't speak your language, he communicates easily through his body. By learning to decode his posture, facial expressions, and tail movements, you can better meet his needs and strengthen your bond. You'll enjoy your companion even more once you've learned his language.