How To Read A Dog's Body Language is a skill that will serve every pet owner. Here's everything you need to know about learning this dog behavior. How Dogs Communicate: Body Language
Because dogs don't have a spoken language ability, they communicate very effectively through body language. Other dogs have no trouble interpreting what your pooch is saying at any time, but it can be a lot harder for us humans to get the message. Here are a few important messages your dog might be trying to tell you:
Offering signals of your own
Once you learn the basics of how dogs position themselves to communicate, you can begin to send your dog the messages you mean to, rather than confusing her by saying one thing with your voice and another thing with your body.
Because your body is shaped so differently from your dog's body, sometimes what you mean to say or do, even with body language, isn't what your dog interprets. Typically when you want someone's attention, you lean forward toward the person; but to a dog, a forward lean is a sign of dominance and could be very threatening. The same goes for patting the dog's head or standing upright above her while talking to her.
To pose as inviting to a dog, crouch down and turn your back from her. If you watch dogs meet each other, they often turn their backs on each other. This is a comfortable thing and doesn't assert dominance or any kind of a threat.
Once you learn how to read a dog's body language, you'll have a much better time communicating with your pooch in an effective and enjoyable way.
