Caroline Murphy, Woofie’s
Chances are your dog is considered a part of the family—97% of pet owners, say that’s the case and 57% of women pet owners even say they consider them just as much a part of the family as their fellow human family members.
So, it stands to reason that when your dog is nervous, unhappy, or uncomfortable, most pet owners would want to know. But, unlike human family members, or Doug in Disney’s Up, dogs can’t talk. So, what is your pup trying to say? Following are three aspects of pet behavior to consider for insights on what your dog probably wishes he or she could tell you.
Tail Talk: More Than Just a Wag – the dog’s tail is its most famous feature! One of the easiest signifiers of a dog’s emotions is how they have positioned their tail. If it is wagging (especially if it is a relaxed tail and full body wag), that is typically a sign that they are happy.
If your dog’s tail is between his or her legs and/or facing down and still, that is usually a sign of fear or discomfort, especially if paired with a lowered body posture or trembling. A straight out tail that is not wagging could mean your dog is assessing the situation, unsure what to make of something.
Look at your dog’s entire body, in addition to his or her tail. While a wagging tail and full body wag tend to be a good sign, a wagging tail accompanied with a tense body (as we’ll talk about below) generally is not.
Mouths: Are you baring your teeth? Or happy to see me? If a dog’s mouth is open and is accompanied by a wagging tail, that’s usually a sign he/she is happy. If the dog is baring its teeth at you, that can be another sign that he or she is nervous or threatened.
Some dogs also yawn excessively when they are nervous or uncomfortable, so if you notice your dog doing that while in a new environment or situation, it could be a sign that they are anxious. Panting (outside of exercise or heat) can also be a sign of stress, anxiety, or pain.
There’s also the (usually) obvious lip licking and drooling that can mean your dog is hungry. But lip licking and drooling can also mean your pup is nervous or sick, so pay close attention to their overall energy level and the rest of their body for additional insights and clues. If your dog is licking his or her lips, drooling, and seems lethargic and tired, it could be that they are sick or anxious.
Barks, whines, growls and howls – Every dog is different and some are “chattier” than others. However, vocalizations usually mean the dog wants you to know how he/she is feeling. If you’ve missed the earlier signs of their body language, he or she may resort to vocalizations. At that point, it’s important to pay attention to what your pup is trying to tell you, especially if he/she seem fearful or defensive. Dogs will cry and whine for a multitude of reasons but it is usually because they are uncomfortable, nervous, or want your attention. If your dog is barking at you with teeth bared, something is likely upsetting them and that is a sign for you to not come any further.
Often dogs may bark at you and lead you to their bowl for food, the door for a walk, their toys for play time, etc., to let you know what they want.
True, your dog can’t tell you what they need like your husband or child can. But if you pay close attention to your dog’s cues, you’ll be amazed at what they are trying to communicate about how they are feeling and how you can help.
Caroline Murphy is in charge of operations at Woofie’s, a provider of dog walking, pet sitting, and grooming with its mobile pet spas nationwide. She is an animal science major with15+ year history of working with animals with vet offices and animal rescues/shelters and can be reached at cmurphy@woofies.com
