Most fluffy dogs, from a young age, clearly show their mood through postures and body gestures. Each of them tells us if our animal is in a state of relaxation, alertness, fear, aggression (defensive or offensive) or if it simply wants to play. We will teach you dog gestures to help you determine your pet’s mood.
Relaxation
The main and most recognizable dog gestures, demonstrating a relaxed state.
Holds the tail down, but not between the legs. If he is relaxed, he can slowly wag his tail. In addition, the dog evenly distributes all its weight on its legs without weighing down the body, what about its ears? A relaxed dog will keep them in a neutral position, neither forward nor backward. Finally, the eyes also play an important role. If you notice your dog blinking slowly, it may also be a sign that he is relaxed.
Vigilance
If your pet is making any of the following warning signals and/or gestures, then something is definitely catching their attention. This doesn’t mean he reacts negatively – in other words, he shows interest in something specific that catches his eye.
Your dog will keep his tail straight. It can also happen that he moves it, perhaps his body is tense. He may also lean towards what has caught his attention by leaning on his front legs. One of the main signs that a dog is alert is the position of the ears. She will hold them upright and slightly forward. This change may be less noticeable if your dog has droopy ears, wide-open eyes, and a closed mouth.
fear and anxiety
It is very important that you recognize signs of fear and/or anxiety in your furry pet. If you see that he is scared, you need to quickly distract him from whatever is causing him a negative reaction and give him time to calm down. One of the most common cases of canine fear or anxiety comes from the sound of firecrackers.
You probably already know that when a puppy is frightened, the most common sign is a tail stuck between its paws. But there are other signs that will help you identify them:
Your dog may duck and turn his head away from whatever is scaring him. He may appear to be walking sideways. The dog may lift one of its front paws, yawn or lick its lips. These gestures are signs of anxiety. Retraction of the ear and moaning are key signs that also identify with situations of this type. These agitated gestures are always accompanied by a look that always avoids direct contact with what makes him uncomfortable.
Aggressive dog.
image source: 123rf.com
defensive aggression
This type of behavior is directly related to a previous episode of unresolved fear and/or anxiety. A dog in a state of fear may attack if provoked. It is important to pay close attention to the dog’s body language and avoid putting too much pressure on it.
Just like in a fear situation, when a dog exhibits aggressive-defensive behavior, he usually puts his tail between his legs. This position is usually accompanied by a retracted posture of the body: the hair on the back and tail can stand up, he can lean back and bend his legs, this time the growl will be louder and more intense. And it is even possible that his pupils dilate. Last but not least, we identify the situation of defensive aggression in their muzzle: the dog can stretch the corners of the lips and smile.
Attack Aggressiveness
Be careful, because in this situation the body language of dogs is very different from the above. When a dog shows “aggressive” aggression, he maintains a dominant posture. That’s to say:
high tail, erect ears, fixed gaze.
Gestures very contrary to those she shows at the time of defensive aggression. We recommend that you pay particular attention to this type of reaction, as it can lead to an attack.
Happy dog.
image source: 123rf.com
Happiness
If there is something that characterizes most of our furries, it is their playful nature: they always want to walk and play. And the most common way to let us know is by adopting a “bow” pose: tail is up, she’s wagging it, her head is down, her ears are flattened, her tongue sticks out… And yaps happily!
This condition is particularly dear to owners! Of course, we like to see our pets happy and enjoy communicating with them! Engaging your pet in fun games using this body language is the most effective way to ensure they get plenty of stimulation, both physical and mental.
By the way, we remind you that in addition to the familiar environment that contributes to their constant excitement, there are other elements that directly affect the happiness and mental well-being of your pet. Like, for example, the use of 100% natural products and foods.
Also read: Pet food brand AlphaPet® has launched a new MENU range.
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