Though dogs can't really talk with people, they do use a lot of body language to "speak" to us. You may notice your dog repeating certain behaviors like tucking his ears back, wagging his tail wildly or pawing at thin air. These are all signals your dog gives you. It's up to you to decode the message he's sending you to see what he's trying to say.
What Does It Mean?
When you notice your dog growling and snarling, accompanied by a stiff body, he is acting
aggressive and possessive. Perhaps someone unfamiliar is on his territory or he is feeling threatened somehow. He may be warning you of an intruder. This behavior is purely instinctual.
A dog that is whining, licks his nose and is panting is stressed. Find the cause of the stress and eliminate it to ease the dog's tension.
A dog that cowers with his ears completely flattened and his tail tucked under is afraid. Comforting a dog in this situation isn't helpful. Instead, find the thing he is scared of to relieve his fear.
If you see you dog sitting with his mid-section close to the ground but his tail and head held high, with the occasional pawing in the air, he is telling you he is ready to play. Take it as an opportunity to have fun with your dog. Similarly, if the dog is madly wagging his tail, he is telling you he is a happy dog.
A dog that hides under things, seeks his owner for comfort, paces back and forth and urinates may have a fear of noises. Track your dog's behavior in situations where loud noises occur, such as thunderstorms or fireworks. Are the symptoms synonymous with the noise? Provide comfort when the dog needs it and gradually expose him to noise and praise him for being confident during those times.
Some things dogs do resemble human behavior. A confident dog will hold his head up high with good posture and will be able to look you directly in the eye.
A dog that shakes, shows less interest in food and activities and sleeps more may be ill or depressed. Contact your vet to rule out any physical ailments before treating the mental symptoms.
