Behavior
Learn how pets communicate with you!
Common Dog Behaviors!
Understanding Canine Body Language
PLAY BOW
When a dog bends down with its front legs low and back end up, it’s saying, “Let’s play!
TAIL WAGGING
A wagging tail means the dog is happy or excited.
SNIFFING
When a dog sniffs the ground, it's exploring and trying to learn more about its surroundings.. This is like reading a newspaper
ROLL OVER
A dog rolls over to show it trusts you or wants a belly rub.
BARKING
Barking is a dog’s way of talking to get your attention or warn you.
LAYING DOWN
When a dog sits or lies down, it’s usually calm and relaxed.
GROWLING
Growling means the dog is feeling scared, angry, or wants to be left alone.
SHAKING OFF
A dog shakes its body to calm down or relax, even if it’s not wet
TAIL TUCKING
When a scared dog tucks its tail between its legs, it’s a way of showing it feels nervous or afraid. The dog does this to protect itself and let others know it doesn’t want any trouble.
EAR MOVEMENT
Dogs move their ears to show how they’re feeling—if their ears are up, they might be curious or excited, but if their ears are back, it can mean they’re scared or nervous. They do this to help communicate their mood to people and other animals.
SHAKING
When a dog shakes, it might be because it feels scared, nervous, cold, or even in pain. Shaking is the dog’s way of showing something is wrong or it feels uncomfortable, just like we might shiver when we’re cold or scared.
LICKING
When a dog keeps licking its lips or nose a lot, it can mean the dog feels unsure, nervous or nauseous. Dogs do this to try to calm themselves down or to show they aren’t feeling comfortable with what’s happening around them.
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