Dog communication

Despite evidence that dogs co-evolved alongside mankind, strengthening our ability to live closely with one another, sharing our homes and working environments, we continue to face communication struggles. These can lead to minor inconveniences, compromised welfare, or to a breakdown in the relationship altogether in some cases. The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, evolved from a wolf-like ancestor but through a fascinating and unique journey, has altered its social behavior to suit its new niche. They continue to be a highly social species and have communication strategies that allow them to cohabit with minimal fighting. Your dog uses a complex range of posturing, vocalization and scent to express themselves. Their view of the world can be hard to imagine since their sensory systems are beyond our capabilities.

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The way in which a dog holds itself and the direction and type of movement it performs communicate its emotional state at any given time. Any movement can serve a purpose to either increase or reduce distance between the dog and another individual, which can facilitate social interaction or reduce physical conflict. While threats are often interpreted correctly, we must also recognize that appeasing gestures with triggers including fear and a desire to calm others, often communicated via more subtle signals, also are a request for more space.

Facial expression

Although the diversity of breeds creates a range of face shapes, facial expressions are important features in the dog’s ability to communicate. Changes in the ears, eyes, and mouth can aid interpretation of an interaction.

Ears

By watching the base of the ears it is possible to determine whether they are set forward and erect which indicates an alert, possibly threatening state, lowered which may suggest an attempt to calm, or pulled back signalling fear.

Eyes

A relaxed, calm dog will generally have ‘soft’ almond eyes though coat length and colour may challenge the observer. A dog signalling a desire to calm another will narrow its eyes, sometimes called ‘squinting’, and avoid direct eye-eye contact. Interpretation of this should depend on the other signals, such as whether it is choosing to approach or avoid. Direct, prolonged eye contact is typically seen when a dog is sending a threat and is usually accompanied with a stiff posture with little movement. Pupil size should reflect the level of lighting but frightened dogs will have dilated pupils and a ‘whale/moon’ eye may be seen where a crescent of white part of the eye is observed. A dog may communicate that social interaction is not desired by looking away into the distance. This is a form of social snubbing.

Mouth

Usually a relaxed jaw, where the mouth is slightly open indicates that the dog is feeling relaxed also. The display of teeth typically functions as a warning but again should be combined with other signals for the true interpretation and for an assessment of risk. Where the lips are curled back to display the front teeth only this is a significant sign of offensive threat and intent. If the corners of the mouth, or the commissure, is open further back, displaying the rear teeth this is associated with defensive behavior. Both are signals indicating that space is required. Where the tongue is pulled back inside the mouth the dog may be preparing to bite, as can be a tightly closed mouth where muscle tension is clear.

Occasionally a dog will display teeth without the threatening intent. ‘Submissive grins’ are more common when a dog interacts with a human and they are poorly understood. The facial muscles are relaxed and eyes narrowed which differ from threatening displays.

Lip licking, where the tongue flicks to the front of the nose, may be seen when the dog is feeling stressed or uncertain but is not necessarily a sign that should cause concern in the absence of other stress or fear signals. Yawning may be a sign of stress, but it could be due to feeling tired or triggered by another’s yawns so the context is important. A stressed dog may have an open, panting mouth in the absence of heat or exertion.

Body language

The way in which a dog chooses to orientate itself, where its weight is directed and how it holds its body can be useful communication signs as they can be read from a distance, and changes observed as the dog is approached, or handled.

Stance

Observing where the dog’s weight is placed indicates whether it intends on running away (leaning away), or approaching (leaning forwards). When combined with other signals an approach can be interpreted as being friendly or overtly threatening.

Head

The position of the head and muscle tension or relaxation can be useful indicators for mood. Head up, throat exposed tends to be a confident, threatening posture, particularly when the dog is standing tall, with tensed muscles and directing a stare. A tilted head with focus towards another is typically friendly or curious. A dipped head, or turning away indicates the need for space. Furrowed brows are signs that the dog is not as relaxed as it could be.

Roll over

Contrary to popular belief, a roll-over is not an automatic request for a belly-rub. A relaxed, confident dog may roll onto its back, wriggling and wagging but this contrasts to a dog seeking to appease which dips its head and shoulder into a roll which ends with the dog on its side, possibly its back, with one leg raised exposing its stomach and urogenital area. The tip of the tail may be wagging swiftly but it will be tucked close to the body. The meaning of a dog rolling over must be concluded after considering all the other signs. Contact is best avoided unless confidence is felt about the dog’s genuine invitation to be petted.

Piloerection

The degree to which raised hair can be noticed will depend on the dog’s coat. Raised hair down the entire back is usually a sign of high arousal and threat. Where the raised hair only occurs at the shoulder region the dog is likely to be fearful but risk of a bite depends on the scenario and the individual. Provision of space is recommended.

Tail position and movements

The tail’s position can help us to understand our dogs, although again, morphology can create challenges, particularly in corkscrew, bobbed, and docked tails. By observing the base of the tail we have greater success in understanding the communicative meaning.

A tail held high is generally recognized as a state of arousal, which may be either a positive or negative emotional state. Other features such as body position, movement and context should be considered. If the base of the tail is in a ‘level’ position the emotional state is fairly neutral although if the end then droops down in a curve this indicates a state of uncertainty.  Whilst a relaxed dog will often have a low hanging tail, this is not to be confused with a tail that is held tight to the body. The degree to which the tail is tucked beneath the dog is a sign of how fearful it is at that time.

A wagging tail is often miscellaneously seen as a clear signal of a ‘happy’ mood, the precise position and movement can in fact portray a range of emotions. In general, a wag signals an intent to interact, but this may involve either positive or negative reactions. It is useful to look at the tail position as described above for indication of mood. If the wag is wide and sweeping and generally accompanied by lots of body movement, this is usually indicative of a friendly dog. Stiff, slow wags usually occur with other body tension and these dogs should be given space. A fast wagging tail tip that is tucked underneath indicates an appeasing gesture asking for space, and possibly serves to signal visually and via wafted olfactory cues confirming the animal’s state.

A dog can use a range of sounds to communicate with others and these have been altered by domestication resulting in many unique sounds not typically observed in other members of the canid family. For instance, barking is a behavior not commonly seen in wolves. Dogs, like other canids, can create sounds that can be heard over a distance. The original function would have served to communicate with other members of the pack while hunting, moving in darkness or exhibited by the young when separated from their mothers, or group. Other noises serve to warn and to signal size and strength during direct conflict. Vocal sounds can express anxiety or other negative emotions and they can sound the alarm, both important strategies to communicate information to other members of their group. Dogs hear at a similar intensity to humans, meaning they do not require particularly loud verbal cues by a handler.

Barking has an array of purposes and so it is important to consider the context, the trigger and a dog’s signals overall. A bark that raises in pitch is often associated with fear or anxiety which contrasts with an under stimulated dog which will tend to bark in a monotonous pattern. Where the dog intends to elicit attention it will focus on the individual expected to respond. Fast, loud repetitive bursts of barking are associated with alerting the group to possible threat.

Growling is most commonly a sign of threat but should be taken in context as growling may occur during play activity. Body tension, stillness and direction of focus should be considered. Research has shown that a growl conveys a discernible meaning dependent on the exact scenario though the subtleties are missed by the human ear.

Whimpering can be an indication of anxiety, or high arousal and the context should be considered. Yelps occur when the dog experiences pain, either through injury or during interaction with another individual. It serves to stop the action to minimize further damage. Yelping may occur if the dog anticipates pain after making associations with previous experiences. Howling can be triggered by the howl of others, or even a high-pitched sound. It is a social behavior used to communicate between separated individuals and to other groups. It may be seen during periods of high distress such as when a dog is left alone and attempting to reconnect with its owner.

It is useful to interpret sounds made by the dog alongside the other signals since individuality, breed and learning can create variation in tone, duration and frequency. It is important not to rely on vocalization to indicate an emotional state since this is not the primary mode of communication and so a bark, growl or snarl may not occur until the dog is experiencing a high level of stress in some cases, or may be inhibited due to previous experience of punishment.

Each dog is a unique individual and learning and experience will influence to some extent what signals are given, and when. Body shape may impede some communication attempts and breed type may alter certain components. It is therefore important to read a dog’s signals as a whole in order to interpret the context and genuine meaning of any interaction.