What's Your Dog Trying to Tell You?

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  • Question 1/8
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    If your dog holds her tail straight out from her body, she’s likely:

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    If your dog holds her tail straight out from her body, she’s likely:

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    You don’t have to be a dog to know what a tail’s position says. If it’s tucked under her body, she’s probably scared; if it’s pointing straight up, she’s showing aggression.

  • Question 1/8
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    Your dog can tell if another dog wants to play by the direction his tail is wagging. 

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    Your dog can tell if another dog wants to play by the direction his tail is wagging. 

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    If a dog’s tail wags more to the right, the dogs around him can relax and could even go see if he wants to make a new friend. If his tail wags more to the left, other dogs may get anxious. They’re being told to keep their distance.

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    Dogs are the only animals besides apes and monkeys that can:

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    Dogs are the only animals besides apes and monkeys that can:

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    Your dog really does get you. A study showed that dogs pay close attention to the eyes when they’re trying to figure out what their humans are feeling. So you may think you sound stern, but Fido knows you’re really a softie.

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    After your dog does something he’s not supposed to, he probably feels:

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    After your dog does something he’s not supposed to, he probably feels:

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    Your pup has a sad face and his ears are back, his head is down, and his tail is between his legs. He’s ashamed of himself, right? Not so much. Dogs don’t live in regret. It’s more likely to mean he’s scared of what you might do to punish him. 

     

    But he also might be playing you. One study found that owners who think their dogs feel guilty don’t scold them as much.

  • Question 1/8
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    If your dog barks while the delivery man is walking up, she’s showing:

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    If your dog barks while the delivery man is walking up, she’s showing:

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    She thinks she’s doing the right thing, so don’t be too upset with her. It’s likely she’s also scared. She barks to let you know a stranger is near and to frighten the person she thinks shouldn’t be there.

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    You can tell if a dog is likely to bite based on his breed.

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    You can tell if a dog is likely to bite based on his breed.

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    Every dog has his own personality, regardless of breed, so his behavior is the best way to know if he’s feeling friendly or not. But if he’s not your dog, don’t assume you can read his behavior. Always ask the owner before you get too close to a dog you don’t know.

  • Question 1/8
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    When a dog you don’t know well shows you his belly, you should rub it.

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    When a dog you don’t know well shows you his belly, you should rub it.

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    Check for signs that he’s scared before you get too friendly. If he’s looking away and has his tail tucked under his body, he may feel threatened and be telling you he doesn’t want to fight. But he probably doesn’t want you to get too close, either.

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    You shouldn’t try to pet a dog you don’t know if she:

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    You shouldn’t try to pet a dog you don’t know if she:

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    Other signs that you shouldn’t try to make friends at that moment are if she turns or walks away or if she looks tense or nervous.

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    Good job! You’re a dog’s best friend.

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    Not bad,  but your dog still has some work to do with you.

    Results:

    You may want to spend some time at the dog park and try again.

Sources | Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on June 12, 2016 Medically Reviewed on June 12, 2016

Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on
June 12, 2016

IMAGE PROVIDED BY:

1) Halfpoint / Getty Images

SOURCES:

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: “Barking.”

American Veterinary Medical Association: “How to read dog body language.”

Current Biology: “Seeing Left- or Right-Asymmetric Tail Wagging

Produces Different Emotional Responses in Dogs.”

Hare, B. and Woods, V. The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter Than You Think, Dutton, 2013.

Horowitz, A. “Reading Dogs Reading Us,” American Philosophical Society.

Humane Society of Missouri: “Canine Communication – Interpreting Dog Language.”

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