Dogs use an eloquent range of body language to communicate with both
Border Collie
ie originated in the border country between Scotland and England. He was known in the past as the Working Collie, the Old-fashioned Collie, the Farm Collie and the English Collie, and finally got his name from the secretary of the International Sheepdog Society in Great
humans and other dogs.
This guide to some of the most common ways in which dogs express themselves physically explains what they are telling you by each particular behavior. PLAY BOWING
When your dog is play bowing, his rear end goes up, his front end goes down, his tail wags and his eyes light up. He's saying, "I want to play," whether it's to another dog or to a human. He may perform this friendly, attention-seeking trick when you're serious and he wants to change your tone. Accept his invitation to play if you're in the mood. ROLLING OVER
When a dog rolls
Border Collie
ie originated in the border country between Scotland and England. He was known in the past as the Working Collie, the Old-fashioned Collie, the Farm Collie and the Engli
over on his back
Old English Sheepdog
e blue or different shades of grey. The head, neck, front quarters, and belly are white, with or without markings. White patches in the blue on the back are not permissible. CARE REQUIRED
T
with his belly exposed and his legs
Curly Coated Retriever
ad and on the legs is short and without curls. They are recognized in two colours: liver and black. CARE REQUI
in the air, he's being submissive. If done in front of another dog, he's saying, "You're the boss and I don't want to fight." When your dog rolls over for you, it could have more
Border Collie
ie originated in the border country between Scotland and England. He was known in the past as the Working Collie, the Old-fashioned Collie, the Farm Collie and the English Collie, and finally got his name from the secretary of the Internati
than one meaning. If done in anticipation of a scolding, it means
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
for your children too, but do not forget that it will protect your children against their friends if it thinks they are being pestered by
, "I don't know how to please
Border Collie
ie originated in the border country between Scotland and England. He was known in the past as the Working Collie, the Old-fashioned Collie, the Farm Collie and the Engli
you and I'm afraid you're angry. Please accept my apology." Or your dog may be trying to avoid something he doesn't want to do. More often, rolling over is a sign that your dog is happy, trusts you and has a pleasant, low-key nature.
It just means, "Please pet my belly." TAIL WAGGING
You're usually right if you assume that tail wagging indicates a friendly dog, but it's not always the case. Dogs also wag their tails when they are frightened, agitated or unsure. A scared dog may wag his tail low and between his legs as he weighs up his next move
Lurcher
sing, although most hare coursing dogs are Greyhounds. Lurchers move most effectively over open ground, although different crosses suit different terrains. Lure coursing and dog racing are also popular in areas with little availabl
and wonders whether he should fight, flee or go belly up. An aggressive, angry dog may wag his tail high while he chases or even attacks. Look at what else
Border Collie
ie originated in the border country between Scotland and England. He was known in the past as the Working Collie, the Old-fashioned Collie, the Farm Collie and the English Collie, and finally got his name from the secretary of the International Sheepdog Society in Great Britain in 1915. He
is going on is the dog's best friend just getting off the school bus, or is another dog eating out of his dish? Also check how the dog has distributed his weight, before being certain that the tail wagging is welcoming. If he's feeling aggressive, his body will
be tense and his weight will be mainly on the front legs.
A QUICK GUIDE TO DOG BODY LANGUAGE Eyes - Direct eye contact means that a dog is feeling bold and confident
- Casual eye contact means he's contented
- An averted gaze means deference
- Dilated pupils indicate fear
Examining Your Dog
rong>Examining the head
Changes in a dog's eyes and nose can signal more complex diseases elsewhere i
Ears - Relaxed ears mean that a dog is calm
- Erect ears show that a dog is alert and attentive
- Ears that are up and forward mean a dog is challenging or being assertive or-aggressive Ears that area laid back indicate that a dog is worried or scared Body movements
- Pawing is an appeasing gesture
- Licking another dog's face is an invitation to play or a sign of deference
- Play bowing (front legs extended, rump up, tail wagging) is an invitation to play and a sign of happiness
- Draping the head over another dog's shoulders is a social challenge
- Freezing in place means a dog is frightened
Mouth and lips - Panting means that a dog is feeling playful, excited or stressed, or he may simply be hot
- A dog with the mouth and lips closed is uncertain or appeasing.
- Licking the lips is a sign that a dog is worried or is trying to appease a person or another dog A relaxed mouth means a dog is calm
- Lips pulled back are a challenging or warning sign, especially when combined with a snarl
Hackles (the hair on the shoulders and hips) - Raised hackles indicate arousal, either because a dog is frightened Or is challenging another dog
- Smooth hackles show a dog is calm
Tail - A relaxed tail means that a dog is calm and at Peace
- A tail held straight out, wagging rhythmically and slowly, means that a dog is cautious or on guard
- Tail down indicates worry or uncertainty
- Tail held up and wagging fast indicates excitement
- An erect tail is a sign of alertness
- A tail held between the legs is a sign of fear
MOUNTING
When your dog either mount
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
to its work, watchful, reliable, not easily led astray by bribes, and protective. Its other points are that it is equable, sociable, and obedient. The dogs only bark when necessary.
TRAINING
Even though this breed bonds closely with the family of which th
s another dog or stands above another dog by putting his front paws on the other dog's back, he is asserting his dominance over the other dog. Mounting other dogs isn't just a male characteristic. High-ranking females do it, too. Owners wonder why male dogs mount other males or why females mount at all, but mounting
Border Collie
ie originated in the border country between Scotland and England. He was known in the p
is more often related to social status than to sex. HUMPING
There's often sexual intent in this behavior, even if the dog doing
Border Collie
ie originated in the border country between Scotland and England. He was known in the past as t
the humping is neutered, or even female. You can let dogs interact this way, as long as the dog being humped isn't trying to escape (and, of course, providing the humping dog is not an unneutered male and the other dog a female in season). If a dog does it to a person, break his focus suddenly by making a loud noise to stop him in his tracks. YAWNING
Yawning in dogs isn't always a sign of tiredness. It may indicate anticipation or stress. Yawning causes instantaneous changes in the body, increasing heart rate and blood flow to the brain, filling the lungs with oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. In short, a yawn helps a dog energize his body, gather his wits
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Dogs will often flick their tongue
Canine Respiratory Problems
ot life-threatening. If your dog is choking, do not wait for veterinary help. Safely try to remove the cause of choking , but take great care � a choking dog is l
s in and out when they are feeling uneasy or apprehensive, as this mixed breed is doing and calm himself down. Your dog may yawn repeatedly when he's waiting in the vet's office, as a way of dealing with nervousness. In training classes, he may yawn to deal with frustration and give himself a mental break. A dog who yawns in anticipation of something enjoyable, such as a walk, is doing so both to boost his energy and to control his eagerness.
TONGUE FLICKING
If your dog repeatedly flicks his tongue up to lick his nose, he's uneasy. He may be assessing a new situation or wondering if he should approach a stranger. Or he may be concentrating hard, trying to master a new obedience command. While a tongue-flicking dog may be friendly, don't approach a strange tongue flicker the dog is obviously tense. Tongue flicking sometimes precedes biting.
LEANING
Dogs are very tactile and don't always respect personal space. It's common for them to lean against people's legs. Dogs who merely lean, as opposed to a cat-like rubbing back and forth, may be attempting to expand their personal space by taking over yours. Conversely, some dogs lean to express an affectionate kind of possession, or to prevent you from
Border Collie
een Scotland and England. He was known in the past as the Working Collie, the Old-fashioned Collie, the Farm Collie and the English Collie, and finally got his name from the secretary of the International Sheepdog Society in Great Britain in 1915. He is a breed of herding dog, and w
going somewhere else. If your dog rubs against your legs, he is probably just trying to scratch a hard-to-reach spot. SMILING
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are known for curling their upper lips whenever they feel happy. Alaskan Malamutes and Samoyeds are also well known for their smiling expressions. Dogs sometimes exhibit what is known as a "submissive grin," which is a type of appeasement gesture. This behavior is particularly common in Dalmatians. Most dogs, however, don't smile in the same way people do. If anything, they tend to assume a grinlike expression when they're feeling threatened or aggressive and want people to see their teeth. TAIL TUCKED AND EARS BACK
If your dog tucks his tail, lays his ears back, takes a few steps backward or hides behind you, you can be sure he's feeling uncertain. It could be a person or an object that he's not sure of, and you'll need to lessen his fear by introducing him slowly and unthreateningly to whatever he's apprehensive about.
NOSE NUDGING
Dogs love to push people with their noses. Most of the time it just means they want affection or attention. If you are reading the newspaper, for example, your dog may nudge your hand to try to get your attention away from the paper and back to him. Or perhaps the chair that you're in is his favorite place and he wants you to move out of the way so he can take possession. PAW LIFTING
If his lifted paw is accompanied by a relaxed, happy expression and a neutral position, your dog just wants attention. Maybe he has been taught how to shake hands and knows he can get positive attention that way. While paw lifting is most likely an invitation to play, your dog might be telling you something else.
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