6 Dog Body Behaviors to Watch Out For

When handling dogs, it’s important to be able to recognize their body language to determine if they have stress or anxiety. I have been working as a pet care associate for over 2 and a half years, and part of my job entails recognizing these behaviors on a daily basis.

To help you determine your pup’s mood, here is a list of 5 dog behaviors to watch out for!

1. Tail Between Their Legs

A dog’s tail says a lot about how they feel. If a dog has their tail tucked between their legs, this is usually a sign of them being scared, or fearful of something. This is especially common in skittish dogs when they’re introduced to unknown environments. If your pup exhibits this behavior, don’t worry! Be gentle with them, and try to soothe their nerves.

2. Hair Standing Up

When a dog’s hair is standing straight up on their body, it is a phenomenon known as “piloerection.” Usually, the area on the body where the hair is standing up represents a certain emotion the dog may be feeling. For example, hair standing up on the rear of a dog represents fright and defensiveness. Hair standing up on the shoulders or neck may signal their attempt to intimidate, and this may be a forewarning to an attack. In any case, piloerection is never a good sign, and you should do your best to cautiously remove them from the situation that is causing them to be anxious.

3. Hard Stare

A hard stare from a dog is never good. This is usually a sign of aggression and may mean they are about to attack. If two dogs are staring at each other, safely disrupt the behavior by making a loud noise or creating a distraction. If a dog is staring at you, don’t stare back.

4. Pinned Ears

Ears are a great way of reading a dog’s mood. Pinned ears in a dog represents nervousness and fear. Usually this body language is associated with other tell-tale signs, such as having their tail tucked between their legs, or piloerection.

5. Panting

Panting is the way dogs expel their body heat. If your pup is panting, it usually means they’re too hot and they’re trying to cool off. However, panting could also be a symptom of anxiety, or a medical problem. To be safe, if your pup is excessively panting, you should see a vet just to make sure they’re ok.

6. Eyes

When a dog shows the whites of their eyes, this is known as “whale eye” or “half-moon eye.” If your pup does this, it signals that they are anxious, or uncomfortable with something going on around them. If you can identify the source of their anxiety, whether it be a certain object or something mundane like the sound of a television, proceed to safely lead your dog away from it.

What body language signs do you think people should watch out with when it comes to dogs? Leave a comment and let us know!