Dogs communicate with us all day long, whether we know it or not. In fact, a recent study detailed that there are 19 different signals that dogs use to talk to us. These signals are referred to as \u201creferential signaling\u201d which for example, is the way babies communicate with their parents.<\/p>\n
As dog owners, the key is to understand the gestures a dog is using and reward the dog with a desired response. Dogs communicate mostly through body language, and only use vocalization if needed. We have put together a list of non-verbal cues dogs use to get our attention.<\/p>\n
Just because a dog is wagging his tail doesn\u2019t mean he’s happy. If this is a dog you’re not familiar with, it’s possible that the tail wag is not signaling for you to pet the dog. Pay attention to the dog’s ears, if they’re down and not perking up the dog may be signaling that he’s not comfortable. Also, pay attention to the rest of the dog\u2019s body for stiffness.<\/p>\n
Dog ears are a great signal to tell how your dog is feeling. Perky ears show us that a dog is very interested in what\u2019s to come next and are highly focused. Droopy ears are a sign of submission, while ears pinned back mean the dog is unhappy and uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
Sad puppy eyes are the most apparent way dogs use their eyes, and most effective. On the other hand, your dog may close his eyes in pleasure when receiving an enjoyable belly rub.<\/p>\n
Fun fact, when you can see the whites of a dog\u2019s eyes, they are on high alert and want space.<\/p>\n
An unblinking dog may be showing signs of aggression, but most likely when your dog is staring at you, it\u2019s just to get your attention. When avoiding eye contact altogether, your dog is uncomfortable and is again showing signs of submission.<\/p>\n
The best sight is when you see your dog smiling at you. I’m sure you question whether or not he is actually smiling or conjuring up some plan to destroy your shoes later. A dog’s smile is a sign of content by seeing ears forward and relaxed eyes. In contrast, when dogs bare their teeth, this is a sign of unhappiness and potentially both fear and aggression.<\/p>\n
Dogs tilt their heads because they\u2019re listening much more intently. Think of your dog\u2019s ears as an antenna. When something startles them, or they hear a sound they haven\u2019t heard before, they\u2019ll tilt their head to readjust their antenna towards the sound. This behavior is inherently built into dogs and happens instinctually.<\/p>\n
What are your favorite signals your four-legged companion communicates with you? Personally, I love when my dog’s ears are upright and perky.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dogs communicate with us all day long, whether we know it or not. In fact, a recent study detailed that there are 19 different signals that dogs use to talk to us. These signals are referred to as \u201creferential signaling\u201d which for example, is the way babies communicate with their parents. As dog owners, the…<\/p>\n