Your Dog's Body Language (Test Your Knowledge!)
Lianne HarkinkWhere one dog is a bit insecure and prefers to keep his distance, the other will approach you full of confidence. Some dogs quickly become overstimulated, while others need an extra challenge. That is why it is so important that you as an owner learn to look and feel well: how is my dog actually doing?
What many people forget: delve into the breed (or breed influences) of your dog. What is the origin, the original work and the character of that breed? That says a lot about what your dog needs and how he can behave.
By delving into your dog's character and the background of his breed (or breeds), it becomes much easier to understand his body language. You recognize more quickly where certain behavior comes from: is it instinct, boredom, insecurity or overstimulation?
Ask yourself regularly:
- Is my dog relaxed or overstimulated?
- Is this fun for him, or exciting?
- Does he understand what I am asking of him?
Understanding Your Dog's Body Language
When training, walking and living together with your dog, it is essential to prevent stress and overstimulation. At the same time, it is also very valuable to learn to understand each other better. The better you learn to read your dog's signals, the better you can respond to what he needs — and what he likes. Body language is your most important compass. Dogs communicate continuously, and they do so without words. By learning to recognize these subtle signals, you gain more insight into how your dog feels and you can respond in time to increase his well-being and pleasure.
The illustrations above come from the PDF ' You can learn to socialize ' which also includes a chapter 'Recognizing dog signals'.
Here are some signs to look out for:
🟢 Relax
Soft gaze (no whites visible), loose body, wagging from the whole body (often with shaking bottom), quietly sniffing or looking.
🟡 Unsure or uncomfortable
Stiff posture, freezing, looking away, leaning away (shifting weight), tongue-licking or lip-licking (underside of tongue is visible), yawning, slow movement, tense tail that often points downwards, tail between legs, shaking body.
🔴 Warning or stress
Growling, barking, tail low or straight up, a lot of tension in the body, tail no longer moving, lip raised, neck hair standing on end, teeth exposed, whites of eyes visible.
Test your knowledge: what do you see in these photos?
What do you think you see in the following pictures? Are these dogs relaxed, anxious or can the situation change at any moment? What emotion do the dogs have? The correct answers are at the bottom of this blog.
What should you pay attention to?
Body language goes beyond just a wagging tail or a bark. Pay particular attention to the bigger picture: the position of the ears, the tension in the body, the movement of the tail, the facial expressions and even the way he walks or stands still. A dog that stares at something, stands stock still or suddenly moves very slowly is trying to tell you something. The better you learn to observe, the better you can estimate what he needs — peace, space, distraction or contact.
Also pay attention to changes in behavior. Is your dog normally enthusiastic, but now withdrawn? Or suddenly more active than usual? These are also signals. Try not to only respond to the 'big behavior' (such as growling or pulling), but rather to the small signals that precede it.
Dogs are not dominant animals
It is often thought that dogs are naturally dominant and want to 'play the boss', but that is a persistent misconception. In reality, dogs are naturally conflict-avoidant. They communicate subtly, give signals and seek harmony in their environment and pack - and you as the owner are of course part of that.
When a dog growls, barks or shows other conspicuous behavior, it is often not a sign of dominance, but of misunderstanding, fear, frustration or pain. These signals are often the tip of the iceberg. Much earlier, your dog has already given small signals: looking away, freezing, tongue-licking or retreating. It is up to us as humans to take these signals seriously and intervene in time.
If you feel like your dog is displaying behavior that you don’t quite understand, or you’re unsure about what to do, always seek professional help, such as a behaviorist or veterinarian. Waiting or ignoring can make the problem worse — and no dog deserves that.
By taking your dog seriously and really wanting to understand him, you lay the foundation for a strong bond, mutual trust and a relaxed, safe life together.
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Answers 'Test your knowledge'
Photo 1 : These dogs are 'licking their lips', also known as tongue-licking. This is often a sign of discomfort or stress, for example because the dog does not understand something or feels unsafe. Sometimes you see this behavior when relaxing, which can be confusing.
A stressed tongue is usually recognized by a briefly opened mouth where the tongue visibly slides along the side of the nose or cheek. When relaxed, the tongue comes out of the mouth briefly and only touches the upper lip, without you seeing the underside.
Occasional tongue-licking isn't alarming in itself, but when combined with other stress signals — such as a stiff posture, backward-facing ears, or visible whites of the eyes — it can indicate serious tension.
Photo 2 : A rounded or crooked back is often a sign of fear, insecurity or discomfort.
The dog makes itself small, with a low or clamped tail between its legs, tense muscles and a cautious attitude. This is often a conflict avoidance signal: your dog does not feel at ease and wants distance.
Pay close attention when you see this behavior — for example with strangers, crowds or other dogs. Support your dog by giving him space and building up the situation more calmly. When in doubt: ask an expert for advice.
Photo 3 : An open mouth with visible teeth is a clear warning signal.
This behavior can indicate stress, insecurity, fear or aggression. The dog is trying to create distance and wants to be left alone. This is not 'dominance', but a sign that the dog feels threatened.
Don't ignore this signal — give space, stay calm yourself and prevent escalation. Do you have doubts about the behavior? Call in a behavioral expert.
Photo 4 : These dogs are relaxed and at ease. You see squinted eyes, a soft look and a loose, calm attitude. These are clear signals of comfort and trust. You often see this behavior in dogs that feel safe in their environment.
Photo 5 : Here you can see the 'Whale Eye'. This is when a dog shows the whites of its eyes - indicating fear, stress or anxiety. This occurs when a dog turns its head away but continues to look at an object, animal or person - exposing the whites of its eyes.