Dogs, just like us humans, are an absolute talker. For humans, language is a blessing that helps us to talk. As a pet owner, your first approach should be learning the language that your dog speaks. Humans use the power of language to make someone understand what is going on with us, but for animals, their mouth, eyes, ears, and tails are their source of communication.
A dog can raise his concern by rigorous barking or non-stop tail wagging. The indication can be different each time. Whenever your dog is happy, he will wag its tail merely. However, if he is sad or angry, the motion will be different.
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How do dogs communicate?
When we are concerned about our dog’s communication, the only key to master this language is the power of attention. As there is no access to verbal talk, observing their body language in different situations becomes very important. Being human, you will feel the need of understanding while staying with someone. Dogs need this partnership, too, from you to express their challenges or stress.
Regarding his body language, if you see that he is stiff with a crouching position and ears are back, such features are the signs where you should predict that something is wrong.
Once you grab the art of dog communication, you will realize how sharp and intelligent they are. According to research, it is found that dogs have 19 distinguished signals that they utilize to talk to us.
Such gestures are called “referential signaling.” The babies use these signals.
The only way to impress and bond with your dog is to understand his language and give him an apt response. Barking is a dog’s only way to vocalize his say.
In this post, we will concentrate on multiple communication and body language hints.
We have gathered a few of them. Here it goes:
1. Observing the tail communication
Tail positioning is one of the most unique and observed positions among the dogs. We have discussed previously that a dog wagging its tail cannot be a sign of happiness each time.
Dogs can show a range of emotions through their tail wagging. For instance, a dog slowly wagging its tail can mean that he is cautious. A stiff tail straight upright can mean that he is on alert mode. Seeing a dog’s tucked tail can be an indication of his fear. A pup moving its tail strenuously and making his butt joggle can be a sign of his happiness.
2. Eye gestures
Eyes are the second most noticeable gesture in your dog when it comes to communication. Dogs can express them much via eye expressions. If your puppy is depressed, you will notice the lost spark in his eyes. If your puppy is joyful, you will see his eyes shining bright. Getting belly rub is the best leisure moment for dogs when they eventually close their eyes in joy.
You can see the indication of anger when you locate the whites of a dog’s eye. Your dog may also not blink and stare at you continuously. This can sign that either he is angry or is trying to get your focus on him.
In Direct eye talking with your dog, you will see he may block the contact for a moment and then look away. Your pup’s avoidance of eye contact can mean that your dog is feeling uncomfortable.
3. Dog’s lick – Tongue gesture
Another way of analyzing your dog’s state of mind has to be his tongue gesture. A dog’s tongue hanging out is a clear indication that he is perfectly all right.
Dog’s express their love or care to us by licking us. They love to lick you! Dog’s licking behavior is seen from their time of birth. You will observe when dogs give birth; they lick their newborns to clean them and circulate breathing. Puppies do lick their mother’s face affectionately. Dog’s giving you sloppy kisses is a sign of pureness for you.
4. Paw raising
Dogs deserve our undivided attention under any circumstance, and these innocent souls crave for it. While working on your laptop, you may see that your dog is stretching its paw to lift your eyes and look at him, hug him, and cuddle him.
They may also put their paw on your knees to distract you.
5. The yawning communication
This is a ubiquitous sign of communication among dogs. They sneeze and yawn to have a word with us. Excessive yawning is a clean signal that your dog may be bored, tired, or uncomfortable with the current situation.
Dogs often feel discomfort when other new pets or animals are around. Not only in dogs, but this habit is also common among animals. When we are bored or not comfortable, we do unnecessary things. Though you need to observe the differences among such yawns as dogs also yawn when they feel content.
6. Why do dogs often bark?
Dog barking is the most obvious way of getting your attention. Your dog may be silently dealing with you, but he might feel the need to get your undivided attention. That is when barking comes into the picture.
It is essential to remember that you should not worry about the barking as he may just be talking to you. He may try to express that he wants to play outside or not be able to find his toy. You can consider these reasons for barking before thinking otherwise.
Other dog barking includes a non-stop bark looking at something. In such cases, he might have anticipated something not right or someone is coming. Some barks can be out of excitement. We suggest you observe such situations before considering the situation.
7. Ear talk
Various positioning of ears is due to various emotions among dogs. Your dog’s vivacious ears mean he is exceptionally high-spirited for any upcoming event. Pendulous ears indicate his nature of the submission.
You will realize your dog’s unhappiness if you see his pinned back ears.
8. Exposing belly
When it comes to getting love and pampering, dogs are no exception. Apart from their mouth, tongue, and ears, dogs also use their body to reach out to us. If your dog is rolling over the ground with a bare belly, you will need to see this effort to impress you to get a belly rub! Dogs are a fan of belly rubbing. Even dogs use their body rolling to communicate with other dogs.
9. Dogs lean upon you
When you are a proud dog owner, it is not hard to believe that dogs crave love and attention. Dogs do often lean against your legs or while you are sitting. One good reason they want your full attention and ready for some cuddles. Like humans, they do not have the option of hugging, so all they want is cuddling!
10. Delivering things
One of the usual gestures that every pet owner faces.
Dogs generally bring their balls or toys and let you know that he wants to play with you. It can be a very natural guess that he is inviting you to play.
But you will often see that your dog is bringing things and putting them down in front of you.
You will be astonished to know that dogs make such an offering to let you know how great a pet owner you are!
They gift you their favorite toys, which show their gratitude towards you.
11. Tilted head gesture
Often when you talk, or they hear anything indistinctly, they tend to tilt their ears. When something fascinates them or hears a sound, they try to adjust their ears like an antenna towards the sound. Dogs are famous for this nature, and they inherit this feature by birth.
12. Acquiring the fox position
When you observe your dog’s paws under his body and use his tail to cover his face, you must know that he feels cold. This position is well known among dogs as it helps them to gather as much heat as possible. You will also notice the same position among foxes.
13. Sleeping on your bed
You might have often noticed that when you reach home, you see that your dog is sleeping in your bed. They are delighted to see you back home! This is an indication that he wants to feel you in your absence. Your scent is all over your bed, which makes him comfortable.
Talking to your dog
Once you start learning all the behavioral gestures that your dog is creating with his mouth, eyes, ears, tongue, and body, it will be easy for you to communicate. As dogs do not use words, you can also use expressions or gestures to talk to your dog. Daily observation of your dog’s habits and movements will help you judge the right communication way. Start with baby steps and command your dog to do something with your gestures. See how much he can pick which instructions he is not able to catch. Accordingly, you can plan to have a better bonding with your pet.
Above, we have gathered all the possible gestures and expressions your dog can have. It is also important to remember, like fingers, all dogs are unique, and they have their features. Dogs are speechless and innocent souls. We would inspire you to spend as much time as you can have with your dog to feel safe and make him happy in all possible ways.
