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Dog Communications & Postures
Dogs communicate differently from humans. Dogs closely observe posture, tail position, movement, facial expressions, eye contact and smell. Many problems occur because of communication problems between the 2 species.
Very seldom does some get bite without the dog communicating their attitude first. The inexperienced and children are the most likely to have an unfortunate experience.
Dog Postures
These are general descriptions; watch your own dog and watch other dogs. You will learn the different moods and their posture communications.
Aggressive & Dominance - stiff legs and body, tail up or back, hackles raised, forehead wrinkled, growls, eyes fixed, lips drawn back, teeth barred
Aggressive & Fear – tail down or tucked, crouched, body lowered, hackles raised, nose wrinkled, growls, lowered head, ears back and close to head, eyes narrowed, lips drawn back, teeth barred
 Alert - Tail may move from side to side, standing tall, ears forward, eyes wide
Confident - Tail up or back, standing tall, open face, ears forward
Dominant - Tail up or back, standing tall, ears up and forward, aloof, eyes fixed
Fearful - tail curled under, crouched, body lowered, head and rear lowered with back arched, ears back and close to head, eyes narrowed, glances away, barking
Friendly - Tail up or back and wagging, loose stance or rear wiggling, relaxed face, ears forward, eyes open
Play Bow - Leaning down, tail waging happily
Relaxed - Tail down, loose stance, weight flat on feet, head high, ears up, open mouth
Submissive - tail down, head lowered and licking up, ears flat or back, body lowered, rolling upside down, urinating
 Worried - tail curled under, head and rear lowered with back arched, barking
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