What is Dog Body Language?
Dog body language encompasses the non-verbal signals dogs use to convey their emotions and intentions through physical movements. It involves observing their posture and behaviour, applicable to domestic dogs and wild canines like wolves. Recognising these cues is crucial, especially for preventing dog bites, notably involving children. Such communication occurs between dogs or during interactions with humans. Key movements include tail wagging, ear flattening or raising, and variations in head and body position. Understanding these signals helps decipher a dog's state of mind and potential actions.
The Ladder of Communication
Dogs can experience stress in various situations and for different reasons. However, many owners aren’t equipped to recognise their dog's distress until it growls or snaps. It's important to note that dogs usually give warning signs before reaching that point.
The ladder of aggression is a concept developed by leading dog behaviourist Kendal Shepherd based on her vast experience with dogs. Many in the animal welfare field use this concept but prefer to refer to it as the ladder of communication. This term fits better, since dogs cannot verbally communicate, and their body signals communicate how they feel.
Each step on the ladder represents different body language signals that dogs use to communicate their discomfort or stress with people or other animals. As a dog becomes more agitated, its body language may change accordingly, following the steps on the ladder.
Recognising and responding to the early signs can prevent the dog from becoming more stressed and moving up the ladder. The lower signs are very common, and paying attention to them can help us understand how a dog feels in different situations.
If the early signals are ignored, the dog may move up the ladder to try and stop the situation. If that fails, it may resort to more pronounced body language, including aggression such as growling, snapping, and biting. Dogs that have learned that their mild signals are ignored may skip steps and go straight to escalating their behaviours. Paying attention to dogs' signals and helping them exit stressful situations can prevent them from escalating on the ladder.
It's important to note that not every dog will display all the behaviours on the ladder, and the order may vary.
The steps on the ladder are as follows:
Yawning, blinking
Dogs may yawn not only when they are tired, but also to release tension in their jaw, which could be a sign that they are feeling uneasy. Additionally, when dogs are trying to calm a situation down, they may lift a paw. Blinking and closing both eyes can also be indications that they are trying to communicate that they are not a threat.
Head turning, lip licking.
When humans converse, we tend to face each other and then turn our heads away when the conversation ends. Similarly, dogs have their own way of indicating that they want to end a social interaction. There are a few behaviours to look out for that might indicate a dog's discomfort. If the dog doesn't turn its head but instead looks away with white showing in their eyes, this is a clear sign of discomfort. Additionally, if they lick their lips or nose, it could be a self-soothing behaviour that indicates stress. Sometimes, when a dog wants to be left alone, they might lick the nose or face of the person or animal to convey that they are not a threat.
Turning body away, sitting, pawing
If a dog is avoiding something or someone, particularly if they are turning their body away or sitting down while attempting to push or paw the individual away, it is an indication that they require space. It is essential to remove them from the situation promptly to alleviate their stress.
Walking away
Dogs often signal their discomfort by walking away from a situation. This is their way of removing themselves from an uncomfortable environment. It's important to allow them to do so, as blocking their escape may make them feel more anxious and escalate the situation.
Creeping, ears back
Dogs use "creeping" as a way to communicate their need for space or their anxiety. When a dog is creeping, it may appear more nervous, and you may notice the whites of their eyes as they walk away with their ears back. They may also lift a paw or lick their lips. Often, creeping dogs will move slowly and keep a low profile.
Standing crouched, tail tucked under, lying down, exposing belly, making themselves small.
The behaviour displayed by the dog suggests that it is feeling uncertain but attempting to ease the tension by making itself appear smaller and less imposing. This behaviour typically indicates that the dog is experiencing high levels of nervousness and that it would be best to give the dog some space. The roll-over stance is distinct from a playful roll, and the dog may seem motionless in contrast to the lively movements seen during play. It should not be mistaken for a contented dog that flops onto its back for belly rubs after play or affection.
Stiffening up, staring
When a dog becomes stressed, its fight-flight-or-freeze response is triggered, causing it to remain motionless until the perceived threat has passed. If the threat persists or the dog cannot flee, it may escalate the situation by resorting to fighting as a means of resolving the stressor.
Growl or snarling
When a dog growls, it is a sign that they are feeling distressed or scared and need some space. This is a clear and loud indication that they are not happy, especially if previous warning signs have been ignored. Sometimes, a dog may bare their teeth while growling quietly or silently. It's important never to punish a dog for growling because it can lead to them skipping warning signs and going straight to biting or snapping.
Snap
When a dog snaps, it is a clear sign that one should keep a distance as the dog is indicating that it may take action if necessary.
Bite
If the other communication signals a dog uses on a ladder do not work to stop a perceived threat, the dog may resort to biting in self-defence and eliminate the source of the perceived danger.
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