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.
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