Visual Dog Body Language Chart: Learn to Read Your Dog's Cues

Calm and Neutral

  • 🐶 Relaxed Body Posture – Loose and comfortable stance.
  • 👀 Soft Eyes – Gentle, non-threatening gaze.
  • 🐾 Neutral Tail – Not tucked or raised, often still or wagging slowly.

Relaxed

  • 🐶 Lying Down – Often with belly exposed, showing vulnerability.
  • 😄 Loose Body – Soft and flexible posture.
  • 🛌 Yawning or Stretching – Signs of comfort and relaxation.

Playful

  • 🐶 Play Bow – Front legs extended, rear raised in a playful stance.
  • 🐾 Quick Tail Wag – Excited and rapid wagging.
  • 😄 Happy Expression – Open mouth, bright eyes, and playful sounds.

Alert

  • 👂 Perked Ears – Ears pointed forward, listening intently.
  • 👀 Focused Gaze – Eyes locked on something specific.
  • 🐾 Tense Body – Stiff posture with a raised tail.

Anxious and Nervous

  • 🐶 Tucked Tail – Tail pulled under, signaling fear or unease.
  • 👂 Ears Back – Flattened ears showing nervousness.
  • 😣 Avoiding Eye Contact – Looking away, licking lips, or yawning.

Frightened

  • 🐶 Cowering – Body lowered, appearing small and submissive.
  • 👀 Wide Eyes – Large, staring eyes showing fear.
  • 😨 Trembling or Hiding – Shaking or attempting to escape danger.

Excited

  • 🐶 Jumping/Barking – Energetic movements and vocalizations.
  • 🐾 Fast Tail Wag – Rapid wagging showing excitement.
  • 😊 Bright Eyes – Sparkling, happy expression with nudges or toy play.

Dominant

  • 🐶 Tall Stance – Standing upright, asserting dominance.
  • 👀 Direct Stare – Intense eye contact to challenge or assert.
  • 😡 Growling/Showing Teeth – Vocal or physical signs of dominance.

Submissive

  • 🐶 Rolling Over – Exposing belly as a sign of submission.
  • 👀 Avoiding Eye Contact – Looking away to avoid conflict.
  • 😔 Ears Back/Licking – Submissive gestures like licking or nuzzling.

Aggressive

  • 🐶 Stiff Posture – Rigid body with raised hackles.
  • 😡 Snarling/Showing Teeth – Baring teeth and growling aggressively.
  • 👀 Hard Stare – Intense, threatening eye contact.

Body Language of Fear in Dogs

  • 🐶 Slight Cowling – Hunching to appear smaller and less threatening.
  • 🐶 Major Cowling – Crouching low, almost hiding.
  • 😣 Lip Licking – Nervousness or stress when no food is present.
  • 😥 Panting – Rapid breathing not due to heat or thirst.
  • 👂 Brow Furrowed, Ears to Side – Wrinkled brow and sideways ears showing worry.
  • 🐾 Slow Motion – Cautious, hesitant movements.
  • 😴 Yawning/Sleepy – Calming signals to reduce tension.
  • 👀 Hypervigilant – Constantly scanning for threats.
  • 🍽️ Won’t Eat – Refusing food due to high stress.
  • 🚶 Moving Away – Retreating from fear or stress sources.
  • 😖 Pacing – Restless movement indicating anxiety.

Talking Dog - Understanding Emotional States

  • 😣 Fear/Anxious/Stressed – Tucked tail, ears back, avoiding eye contact, trembling, cowering.
  • 😊 Content/Happy – Relaxed body, wagging tail, soft eyes, open mouth, play bow.
  • 🐶 Social – Loose body, sniffing, licking, playful nudges.

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