How to Communicate with Your Dog (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Whether you have just found a new friend or you and your dog have been together for a while, it helps to learn how they communicate to improve their behavior and understand how they feel. Dogs make sounds and make gestures with their faces or bodies to express their feelings, just like humans. Many of these gestures seem similar to ours, but they can have totally different meanings; in this article you will find some ways to interpret them and to learn how to communicate with your dog more effectively.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Understanding his Behavior

Step 1. Observe your dog

Learning the habits, behaviors and movements of the animal by observing it will allow you to understand in a more natural way what it communicates. You will be able to make sense of many of the things he will do, without needing an explanation. Just as each person is unique, so is your dog.

Know that much of a dog's language or ability to communicate is particularly subtle.
By learning your dog's way of communicating you will be able to respond to his problems before the situation gets worse; the small signs of stress or unhappiness, if not noticed in time, can lead to aggression or create difficulties.
Remember that this learning process is two-way; dogs too must learn to recognize our behaviors. This part is just as important, so you need to pay more attention to your gestures and posture. It is also important to keep in mind that the dog certainly does not speak your language and you will therefore need to make him understand what you mean by "No" or "Sit". There is no point in repeating "Seated" over and over: it will just think it is one of the various other meaningless sounds you make throughout the day. You have to get him to sit down and reward him, so that he makes it a positive experience that he will be happy to repeat, and only then say the word: in this way he will connect "Sitting" to that behavior.
Keep in mind that a dog's ability to communicate can be hampered by breed characteristics (for example, stubby ears, severed tail, etc.).

Step 2. Learn about the dog's reaction to eye contact

Think about how you feel when someone looks you straight in the eye, instead of doing it normally - you consider it a defiant attitude. Likewise, dogs also feel confused and threatened by those who stare them in the eye. A dog that looks away in this situation is, in effect, polite (or submissive) and tries to avoid confrontation. Alternatively, you can train him to make eye contact to communicate; it would be extremely helpful in keeping his attention on you.

The most effective canine training methods are positive reinforcement and clicker use. Scientists, veterinarians and ethologists all agree that these are the best techniques. Using punishments is highly discouraged, as dogs have a short-term memory and are unlikely to relate the need on the carpet to your disappointment. In fact, dogs don't really feel "guilty". Simply, the owner calms down when the animal assumes a "guilty" air, making this a rewarding moment for both. The dog learns that the owner gets angry at the sight of the needs on the floor and therefore behaves in a "guilty" way to appease him, but in reality he does not associate the act of toileting in the house with the anger of the person.
Clicker training is based on the idea of inducing the dog to assume a certain position and then immediately making him understand that he did the right thing, rewarding him for that behavior.
Dog behavior is guided by the most rewarding option available to him in each situation. If the most satisfying option is chewing on your shoes, it will. But if you press him not to, he'll avoid that behavior even when you're not around. On the contrary, punishing or reproaching him only means showing him who the boss is; the result is that he will misbehave when you are not around.
Dogs have been shown to base their behavior on gratification, not domination. They act according to what is most satisfying for them, not for the purpose of dominating the person or other dogs. Become the greatest source of gratification in your dog's life and he will be happy to do whatever you tell him.
A typical pacifying gesture of the dog is to lie down on the ground showing the belly; patting his belly is a great way to reinforce this behavior.
Exposing the belly can also indicate passive resistance to a perceived threat.
Fake riding can be a sign of stress, especially if an unsure dog is trying to bond with an animal that has higher self-esteem.
Dogs express their discomfort in a variety of ways, such as sneezing or yawning repeatedly, licking their lips, looking away, curling up, showing the whites of their eyes, and stiffening. When a dog exhibits fear or discomfort, stop whatever is being done and avoid repeating it in the future. If you want him to get used to something new, offer him many rewards as you gradually bring him closer to what is bothering him. You will soon see that he will ask for it in exchange for a treat!
The dog can express many emotions with its tail. Wagging the tail and waving the hindquarters are signs of pure joy. Slower tail movement indicates cautious attitude. If he keeps it stiff and high, it means he is alert, if he keeps it low he is calm and satisfied. But when he puts it between his paws he is frightened.

Part 2 of 5: Interpreting her Body Language

Step 1. Learn to interpret the dog's posture

The positions he takes can tell a lot about the mood and emotions. Many of the signs are difficult to understand and you will need some time to interpret them, but it will be worth it.

Step 2. Identify playful and loving behaviors

Dogs communicate confidence and the desire to play with posture and body signals.

Confident Pose: A dog that feels confident will stand well upright, have a high tail that swings slowly, ears raised or relaxed, and will generally have a calm appearance. The eyes will have small pupils.
Bow: A dog facing you, with its head and chest low to the ground, its front legs stretched out, and its hindquarters and tail high is clearly inviting you to play. This position is known as the "game bow". It may be misinterpreted by owners as an attacking stance, but it clearly indicates a moment of play.
Rocking the hips is another invitation to play. A dog moves around another dog and knocks him (playfully) to the ground using his backside (the toothless part of the dog!). When this position is directed at you, it indicates trust and, at times, it can mean that she wants a caress. Wagging the tail is a sign of enthusiasm and friendliness.
If a dog stretches its hindquarters in the air, with its front legs stretched forward and its head close to the ground, it probably feels like playing.
If the dog raises his paw to touch your knee or another part of your body, he wants your attention, he wants to ask you something or he wants to play. The gesture stems from the behavior he must have as a child to get his mother's milk but becomes similar to a handshake - it indicates connection and friendship.
Repeatedly moving the paw in the air is a signal often used by puppies as an invitation to play.
If a dog's tail is in a neutral position (parallel to the body or slightly lower), they likely feel confident or friendly.
If the dog's tail swings a lot and is high, the dog feels fluffy and can annoy you or another dog! It can also be a signal to chase away another animal.
If your dog slowly swings his tail while looking at you, he is relaxed but alert and ready to play.

Step 3. Interpret the discomfort or discomfort

Knowing when your dog is uncomfortable or feeling insecure can help you meet your pet's needs and give him reassurance and comfort if needed.

Walking back and forth can be a sign of nervousness, but also a sign of excitement or boredom. If your dog is exercising a lot and playing often, look for other signs of nervousness that may accompany his movement.
A dog that feels threatened may raise its coat. This tactic, which involves lifting the strip of fur that runs down the center of the animal's back, is the dog's attempt to appear larger than it is. This is not necessarily an aggressive stance, but an alarm signal that the dog is ready for what is about to happen. A frightened dog can bite, so be extra careful around an animal that stands on end.
A frightened or insecure dog may curl up or squat. Leaning down slightly indicates submission or nervousness. A similar position can be when he arches his back, bends his paws slightly and holds his tail down (not hidden between the paws), staring at the dog or the person who is watching him.
A dog that lifts a paw while keeping most of its body away from a person, animal or object that confuses it and that withdraws, shows uncertainty and perplexity. If the dog's head is tilted to one side, it means that the dog is listening, or that he is confused and perplexed and awaits more information.
Slowly swinging the tail, held low, may indicate that the dog is confused and asking for an explanation, or that he is investigating a new non-threatening object.
If the dog's tail is lowered and stationary, the animal is alert and observing. If the tail is low and not moving, the dog could also indicate insecurity.
If the dog moves slightly with his tail down, he may be sad or not feeling well.

Step 4. Recognize the signs of aggression

Aggression can lead to attacks by a dog. Recognizing the warning signs an aggressive dog throws can help you defuse a situation before it gets worse.

A dog whose tail is lowered or held between the legs displays anxiety, fear and uncertainty. The dog can swing its tail even in this situation and may make you mistakenly believe that it is happy. This position can also indicate the need for reassurance or protection.
A dog who suddenly freezes during an action, feels insecure and would like to be left alone or is preparing for an attack. This attitude is common when a dog holds a bone - don't get between a dog and its bone!
If the dog leans forward and seems very stiff, he probably feels aggressive or threatened. This behavior occurs in response to what the dog interprets as a threat or challenge. The dog's tail will be held low or under it, and it will swing swiftly and erratically.
When a dog is considering whether to attack or feels threatened, you will be able to see the whites of his eyes.
A dog that shows signs of aggression but then shakes its head and shoulders may indicate the end of a certain level of tension, perhaps because it was paying attention to a threat or event that did not occur.

Part 3 of 5: Recognizing the Muzzle and Head Signs of the Dog

Step 1. Learn to recognize the position of the dog's ears

Humans can't do much with their ears, but dogs' ears can be very expressive. Be aware that dogs whose ears have been clipped by puppies may not be able to express all their emotions with their ears.

A dog with ears stretched forwards or upwards is completely focused on playing or hunting. This position of the ears can also indicate curiosity and express an intention to do something, as the dog turns his head to listen. This is a common ear position in the early stages of a chase.
A dog that keeps its ears flat against its head is fearful or threatened. Ears forward but close to the head may indicate aggression.
A dog with its ears set back, but not flat, may experience unhappiness, anxiety, or uncertainty.

Step 2. Interpret the dog's eye cues

Dog eyes can express feelings and emotions just like human eyes, and as you recognize the different types of gaze in humans, you can do it for your dog too. Here are the most common:

Eyes Wide Open: Means your dog is feeling alert, playful, and ready.
Steady Eyes: As noted earlier, this is dominant and defiant behavior.
Avoid direct contact: It can be a form of kindness for humans, but for dogs it is a form of submission.
Winking (when he winks): Your dog is feeling playful.
Squinted Eyes: This can indicate that the dog is feeling aggressive and is ready to attack. In some cases it can even stare at something or someone.

Step 3. Look at the dog's face

Dogs often show their feelings with facial expressions. Understanding their expressions can help you interpret the dog's feelings and communicate with your pet companion.

Smile: Believe it or not, dogs can smile. It can be easy to confuse a growl with a smile, but just control your body language; if he has all the characteristics of a happy dog, then he is smiling and means that he is calm and relaxed, as is the case with humans.
Yawn: The meaning of a yawn depends on the context, as for humans (we yawn when we are tired, when we need more oxygen, when we are feeling stressed or embarrassed or when we see someone yawning). Yawning is also contagious to dogs. If you yawn in front of your dog, it may interpret it as a sign of stress (in many cases, it will go away to give you space) or respond with another yawn. Dogs also yawn to try to relieve tension, to show confusion or when they feel threatened, especially when they meet unfamiliar dogs or find themselves in new situations.
Mouth Position: A dog with his mouth stretched back, closed or slightly open, is showing that he is stressed; he may be afraid or in pain. In some cases the dog may also pant quickly. If the mouth is stretched back or open it can be a sign of submission; if the mouth is closed or slightly open, with the teeth covered, it means that the animal is alert.
Licking lips: If he does this in combination with a yawn, it means he is stressed, under pressure, or facing a threat. This is a common puppy gesture that shouldn't continue when the dog is an adult. For mature dogs, licking can be part of sexual behavior, as they search for specific chemicals on carpet, grass, or another dog's genitals. Licking another dog's lips means that he is maintaining a friendly demeanor.
Bare teeth: it is a sign of aggression and denotes the intention to bite. This does not mean that it is always an assault; you will need to evaluate other aspects of the behavior as well. If the teeth are exposed and there are no wrinkles on the face, it is a sign of domination and territorial defense. If the lips are puckered, the teeth bared, and the muzzle wrinkled, it means the dog is angry and ready to fight, and there is a good chance he may bite.

Part 4 of 5: Interpreting the Dog's Voice Signals

Step 1. Listen to your dog

Barking, growling, whining and howling are his language and it takes some time to learn to recognize these ways of communicating. However, they are important for understanding the general behavior of the animal. Many people think a bark is just a bark; by really listening, on the other hand, you can see many differences.

Note that a dog that does not bark or make other sounds may do so because it tries not to alarm a prey. This can be accompanied by sniffing the air, staying low, staying rigid, moving the ears back and forth to catch sounds, keeping the mouth closed and eyes open. Likewise, a dog that doesn't make sounds can be submissive and seek approval

Step 2. Recognize the dog's barking

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, and by observing and listening you can learn to recognize what they are.

A loud, quick, high-pitched yelp can be aggressive or territorial.
A brief, frequent, and guttural warning is intended to alert the pack of potential danger. It can be accompanied by growls or roars.
A short, dry bark is usually a greeting.
A high-pitched bark often indicates that the dog wants to play. A short, high-pitched bark is a sign of friendship and may be accompanied by yelps or moans.
A sudden, high-pitched, dry yelp may indicate that the dog is in pain.
A low-pitched, single or spaced-out bark is a warning that you should walk away.

Step 3. Interpret the dog's growls

A snarl from a dog you don't know may scare you, but not every growl is aggressive. The dog may growl while playing or as an alternative form of communication to a bark. You should watch out for any snarling dogs, though, as even one who is playing and getting too carried away could attack a human who intervenes or gets too close.

A low, silent growl indicates that the recipient needs to walk away. This is a sign of a dominant dog's decision.
A low growl ending in a short bark indicates that the dog is reacting to a threat. It can precede an attack.
A medium growl, leading to a bark, indicates that the dog is feeling nervous and aggressive. You should proceed with caution.
A continued, low growl is an indication that the dog is feeling anxious or suspicious.
A slight rumbling is a loving sign of contentment. A light growl is generally a sign of play; evaluate it according to the context and the general position of the dog. These growls will often be accompanied by excited barks.

Step 4. Understand why the dog howls

Knowing the different reasons a dog howls can help you respond to your needs.

A long, sustained howl indicates separation or loneliness. If your dog or puppy was separated from other dogs when you adopted him, he may howl. Keeping him close to you can help him feel less alone.
A short howl of increasing pitch generally indicates that the dog is happy or excited.
Barking is a hunting signal and is common in breeds bred to hunt, even if your dog has never received specific training.
A siren howl is a response to another howl or sustained noise. You may notice your dog howling in response to sirens passing by your home. If the dog howls at night, it may do so in response to other dogs howling inaudible to humans.

Step 5. Learn to differentiate whining and whining

Your dog can also communicate with you by moaning. Like howls and growls, moans can have different meanings depending on the context.

Short moans accompanied by short barks indicate that the dog is curious, excited and impatient.
Short moans are often a sign of fear or anxiety.
A low moan indicates that the dog is slightly anxious or submissive.
A persistent, high-pitched moan can be a call to attention, reflect intense anxiety, or indicate severe discomfort or pain.

Part 5 of 5: Expressing Human Communication

Step 1. Avoid unintended signals

Dogs understand your language to some extent, but it is very important to understand how you appear in the eyes of the animal and how some of your gestures can cause stress, fear or concern. Always remember that the dog looks at you, learns from you and tries to predict your routine, your habits and your preferences.

Looking away and moving your arms away at the same time makes the dog understand that you don't want to touch him anymore and could provoke a negative reaction.
Yawning can indicate to the dog that you are stressed and make him move away from you. It may be a good idea to cover up your yawns if your dog reacts negatively to your actions.

Step 2. Prevent Dog Discomfort

Some actions that seem normal or loving to us do not translate well into "dog language". Avoiding activities that make dogs uncomfortable can strengthen the relationship with your pet.

Staring at the dog can be considered a threat. Some trainers believed that a dog that looked away was disobedient, but today it is more correctly considered a sign of education or submission.
Punishing or reacting negatively to a dog's fear signals will only intimidate him more and will not improve his behavior. Do not interpret signs of discomfort or fear as demonstrations of guilt.
Many dogs don't like being hit directly on the head. It is, however, something that dogs must learn to tolerate. You should never hit a dog over the head that you are not very familiar with, but if you live in an urban environment where people will pet your dog, it is vital that you train your dog from its earliest years to tolerate blows on the head.
Hugging and cuddling a dog is often not a welcome action. Nature has programmed the dog to interpret being kept very close to another animal in two ways: being trapped as prey or being mounted. Since none of these actions make the dog happy, a dog not used to being hugged may react by running away, shaking and attacking. If your dog reacts in this way, be patient and gradually accustom him to your loving hugs. Make sure children hugging dogs always keep their faces away from the animal, and observe the dog's reactions to intervene at the first warning of discomfort.
Dogs are social animals and need contact, so you should avoid making them feel too isolated. It is very important not to neglect a puppy in the first few nights they live with you. Try to stay close to him and then gradually move him to where he needs to sleep. This will reassure the dog. Don't share a bed with a dog if you don't want to do it permanently. Doing so would create a lifelong expectation in the puppy's mind.

Step 3. Speak your commands clearly

Being clear, consistent, and concise with your dog's commands and communications can help him understand what you want. Most dogs want to make their owners happy, so they will try to adapt their behavior to your expectations.

Always repeat the commands using the same words and the same tone, so that the dog learns his name and let him know that he should listen to you.
Change your tone when communicating different emotions to your dog. Dogs have instincts that help them tell if we are happy with them or angry. If you smile and praise your dog in a happy tone, he will understand that he has done the right thing. Likewise, if you correct him in an angry tone, he will realize that he has done something wrong. During training, consider this advice.
Remember that dogs easily forget things. But they will remember the training they received, where people and things are, who you are and who your friends are, the praise and surprising things that happen.
Yelling at the dog, gesturing a lot or shaking "weapons" like a broom at the dog will make the animal think that you are crazy and will not change its behavior. However, it could upset an insecure and frightened dog even more. Save your energy and stay calm. Communicate clearly and reasonably.
Remember this advice when correcting a dog. If you get home and the sofa is destroyed, yelling at the dog will not get you anything, because the animal will not be able to connect its action with your scolding.

Step 4. Develop mutual communication

A two-way communication relationship with the dog will help both of you to maintain a healthy relationship. Keeping the lines of communication open and showing the dog that you understand will help you figure out when to intervene.

Research how dogs communicate with each other. Modeling your communication strategy on dog communication can help your pet understand what you want to tell him

Advice

Take the time to interpret your dog's behaviors. Although this article gives general guidelines, each dog is unique and you can only understand their behavior by spending time with them.
Make sure you repeat the commands using the same tone over and over again or the dog will be confused.
Always be expressive when talking.
It is important to observe your dog's behavior even in front of other animals other than humans or dogs. When introducing other pets, such as cats or rabbits, watch your dog's reactions so you are ready to intervene if things get complicated and make sure both pets are happy. You always have to introduce a new pet into the house gradually, and you need to arm yourself with a lot of patience when you already have a dog.
Remember that every dog is different: if yours has a passive personality, you will have different results than those indicated in this article; Aggressive dogs will obviously react accordingly, but in some cases they can also do so passively. Each reaction can be different.
There are many more subtle signals that dogs use to express anxiety, stress, or other moods; get to know them to predict a dog's reactions.
Be consistent in the concessions you make to the dog. For example, decide if the dog can stay on the sofa and always behave accordingly.
If you live in an apartment or do not have a garden where the dog can go to do the needs, train him to do it on "command". This can be useful when the weather is bad outside or you have a particularly busy morning. Teaching the dog to ring a bell placed on the door handle can be useful; also remember that physical movement helps bowel movement and that a tired dog is always a good dog.

Warnings

Please note! A moan or moan can always mean pain or injury; don't ignore them if you don't know the cause. Check the animal and, if you still can't figure out the cause, take it to the vet.
When you meet an unfamiliar dog on the street, always stay in his field of vision and never take you into a position that he may consider a threat if you don't want to be attacked.
Don't force your dog to do something he doesn't want to do and don't talk to him in a cruel or insulting way.
As already mentioned in the article, remember that a wagging tail does not always mean that the dog is happy and content. They can do this for several reasons, just like a human can show his teeth to smile or whatever; always check the other signals of the body to understand if it is happy or not.