Welcome to our final blog about how to understand a dog’s body language through its posture.

In our earlier blog posts, we’ve discussed how dogs communicate through their:

This final post will explore canine communication through a dog’s different postures!

K9 Body Postures

Happy, Relaxed Poodle Wearing a Colorful Bandana (Courtesy: MobilityDog.org)

Fear, Stress or Anxiety (Smaller is Better)

To correctly interpret what a dog is trying to say, humans must consider all the ways (including posture) through which K9s communicate along with the present circumstances and surroundings. Only then can dog parents fully understand their pooch’s mood and feelings along with its intention. This knowledge can also help the dog parent know when and how to correctly intervene if necessary.

When trying to understand a K9s posture, observe how the dog is distributing his overall weight. Relaxed dogs have an open, loose and calm posture. On the other hand, a stressed or anxious dog will hunch its body to the ground to seem as small as possible physically to convey the lack of any threat to another dog or person.

This same dog may also roll onto his back exposing its belly in a show of complete submission. They may even pee to try to appease an assumed threat even further.

Curiosity or Possible Aggression (Bigger is Better!)

This posture is the opposite of number 1 above. When a dog has its weight shifted forward, it could mean a couple of things. Often when curious, a dog will exhibit this posture to get closer and learn more about a dog, person or object.

But, if this posture is combined with aggressive body cues like a tail held high and slightly twitching or vocal cues like growling, the dog is trying to appear larger to the perceived threat (the exact opposite of a dog who is scared or stressed.)

K9 Body Language Chart by Canine Strategies

Let’s Play!

Anyone who has spent any quality time around dogs knows this popular posture, the play bow! To both humans and other dogs (or other animals), this is the dog’s way of extending an open invitation to engage in play! The play bow consists of the dog’s rump in the air and its chest flat on the ground with perhaps some wriggling depending on its personality or how excited the dog is feeling at the moment! If your dog is displaying this behavior, it’s time for some FUN!

Uncertainty or Insecurity

When the paw is raised is one of the least understood canine postures.

If this behavior is exhibited while hunting with a pointing breed (like the English Setter or Pointer, Brittany, Italian Pointer or Bracco Italiano, German Shorthaired Pointer, Vizsla and more) the dog may be communicating there’s prey nearby.

But for other breeds, the raised paw may well indicate the dog is unsure about the situation and in addition, may be feeling insecure. Before the behavior escalates, a dog parent should step in and either redirect the dog’s attention or let them know everything is ok and there is no need for aggressive behaviors.

Remember, dogs always present telltale signs about how they are feeling! Behaviors do not come “out of the blue!” Take the proper time to understand your dog’s body language and preferences for a stronger bond, relationship and channel of communication!