Interpreting Your Dog's Body Language

Frightened or Highly Submissive Behavior

The frightened dog will appear to make itself as small as possible. This is so that the aggressor will think the dog is already beaten and does not offer a threat. Frightened dogs may seem to act like a puppy by crouching and cowering, and this is because instinctively dogs do not like to attack young dogs.

Frightened dogs may also flatten its ears away from danger and put its tail between its legs. This also covers the scent glands, masking its identity. The dog may also roll onto its back to demonstrate that it is not capable of threatening behavior. The eyes of a frightened dog will be wide enough to show the white and will have dilated pupils. Submissive behavior includes actions that a young dog may use to seek attention from its mother, such as licking your face and jumping or reaching up to you.

Dominant or Confident Behavior

If a fight resulted from every meeting of two confident dogs, then many pack members would risk injury, therefore risking the health of the entire family. Instead, dogs will try to demonstrate their superiority by other means. Aggressive dogs will approach confidently with the head held high and the hair on the spine erect so as to make him appear larger.

His ears will point forward and the tail will be pointing up. This is the opposite of the submissive dog in that the confident dog is not concerned about being injured in a fight and not afraid to let its identity known. If the other dog does not act submissively, then the approaching dog will now attempt to scare the other dog into submission. Snarling, wrinkling of the nose and teeth-baring display to the other dog what harm could be done if provoked. If the dog does launch into a fight, its ears will be drawn in at the last minute to prevent injury.

Confusing Body Language