Standing On Their Hind Legs
Usually when a dog stands on its hind legs, it is showing affection. It can also indicate to other dogs nearby that the dog is ready for playing, especially if the rest of their behavior is not aggressive.
Standing On Their Hind Legs
Chewing Furniture
While it is an annoying habit for us, often when dogs, especially puppies, begin chewing on furniture it means they are teething. Older dogs that start chew on sofas may be signaling that they need more exercise and that they are bored. Take them for a walk or run and tire them out!
Chewing Furniture
Their Bark
Non-dog owners most likely won’t understand, but those who have a dog know that there are different types of barks. Barking can indicate that a dog is sensing some danger or urgency, but can also indicate pain. Short barks typically are more playful.
Their Bark
Bringing Toys
While bringing a toy can mean that your dog wants to play, other times it shows that your dog wants to gain your respect as their owner. Some say that it can also mean that the dog is bringing you an object to show trust in their owner.
Bringing Toys
Yawning
This one might seem like an obvious indicator of tiredness, but that’s not the only thing a yawn can indicate. It can also mean that a dog is nervous or stressed, for example when they are at the vet. Yawning can also indicate security and submission in a dog.
Yawning
Wriggling Around
It’s always adorably hilarious when a dog will begin wiggling around and kicking their legs in the air. This could just be their way of trying to scratch an itch, but it could also be their silly and cute way of grabbing your attention.
Wriggling Around
Waiting Around
Every dog owner has felt the pang of guilt when they’re heading out the door and their dog gives you a sad expression and sitting by the door. While you can’t stay home from work, just know that this means that your dog will loyally wait for you until you get back, so don’t feel too bad!
Waiting Around
Pacing
Sometimes you will notice a dog pacing from one side of the room to the other, just as humans do. This can indicate nervousness or boredom, but can also be a sign of enthusiasm and playfulness.
Pacing
Pointing
The pointing pose is especially common with hunting dogs (hence the name pointer dogs). This usually involves freezing on the spot, pointing their heads in the direction of the prey and lifting up one of their front paws. It is quite a normal thing for dogs to do.
Pointing
Exhibiting Discomfort
Many times dogs will yawn while in public, and it is something to pay attention to, as it can be a sign of irritation or nervousness. This is especially true when your dog is in an unfamiliar setting, so make sure to be cautious.
Exhibiting Discomfort
Head Tilt
We’ve all seen the adorable doggie head tilt that involves the dog cocking its head to the side. It may look to us humans that the dog is confused, but in fact this is not the case. It is believed that they are actually listening better by opening their ear fully to maximize their hearing.
Head Tilt
Sniffing
Did you know that dogs have 40 times the amount of olfactory receptors as humans do, with a total of 220 million? That explains their extraordinary sense of smell, which is exhibited when dogs sniff around. This is their way to check the area and see if there is any danger lurking around, as well as sniffing out prey.
Sniffing
Tongue Flip
Whenever a dog does this adorable trick, which involves sticking out their tongues and flipping them upside down, they may know that they have done something they’re not supposed to. This gesture indicates guilt and trying to cover up any misbehavior.
Tongue Flip
Downward Dog
Hey, there’s a reason why yoga has borrowed the expression “downward dog” for one of its poses. This mimics the stretch that dogs will do first thing after waking up. Before beginning to run around again, dogs will naturally stretch out their muscles and warm them up before moving around again.
Downward Dog
Showing Their Bellies
We’ve all seen this adorable pose and many of us will instinctively move to give our pups their beloved belly rubs. When dogs do this, they are showing that they feel fully comfortable around you and are showing their respect and submission to their owners.
Showing Their Bellies
Tail Tuck
Whenever a dog is feeling scared or ashamed, he will show it by tucking his tail between his legs. Sometimes some shaking will accompany this move, and it’s important to show your dog that he is safe through gentle pets and maybe some dog treats.
Tail Tuck
Raising Paws
There’s a reason why dogs are known for giving unconditional love. One way they indicate their endless love is by raising their paws lovingly and playfully. The only exception is when the puppy does this to his mama, as that is an indication that he is hungry!
Raising Paws
Wagging Tail
We all know that a rapidly wagging tail usually indicates a happy and excited dog. But it can also mean that the dog is indicating submissiveness, especially when they wag at a lower height. When they wag their tails at a higher level, they are indicating playfulness.
Wagging Tail
Dragging Their Tush
We’ve all this this silly looking move, but you might be surprised to know that it is not really a laughing matter. This can happen when they have an anal sac impaction and it can be serious enough to take your beloved dog to the vet to check it out.
Dragging Their Tush
Sitting On Your Feet
Have you ever been sitting around relaxing when you dog comes up to you and decides to settle right on your feet? That is an indication that they are devoted to you, love you, and feel comfortable around you. So cute!
Sitting On Your Feet
Leaning On You
How adorable is it when you’re either standing or sitting and your dog will suddenly come and lean against you? This means that they are trying to express their positive feelings towards you, so embrace it!
Leaning On You
Tackling You
Sometimes, especially when you’ve been apart from your dog for some time, they will get so excited that they will nearly topple you over. They simply cannot contain their joy so they tackle you, but it is not meant in an aggressive way.
Tackling You
Flicking Their Ears
You may have noticed your dog’s ears flicking around once in a while. This means that they are listening deeply, especially when they hear a sound that sounds unfamiliar to them. This is just dogs doing their detective work!
Flicking Their Ears
Licking Themselves
Sometimes dogs lick themselves clean, even though cats are more known for doing this. However, it is important to pay attention, as sometimes their licking can indicate an injury or something that needs medical attention.
Licking Themselves
Baring Their Teeth
This may seem like an obvious one, but when a dog is baring his teeth and especially if he’s snarling, it’s time to calm him down and take him away from any potentially dangerous situations. It’s good to err on the side of caution in these situations.
Baring Their Teeth
Investigating Something
Often when you’re taking your dog for a walk, there will come a point (or ten) where they will want to stop and look around and sometimes lift their feet. This shows that the dog is trying to see what was there and will investigate further by sniffing around.
Investigating Something
Straight Tail
When a dog’s tail straightens out, it can be an indicator that they feel threatened, especially when they are around other dogs. However, when they are feeling secure, their tails with be more leveled, but a low hanging tail can indicate insecurity and nervousness.
Straight Tail
Tongue Sticking Out
Usually, a tongue sticking out is a great indication that your dog is happy, secure, and can often occur when you’re engaged in a super fun game of catch. Just make sure this doesn’t happen too often, otherwise it may be hanging tongue syndrome, which happens to may flat-nosed dogs.
Tongue Sticking Out
Digging
It can be incredibly frustrating when you’ve spent a lot of time perfecting your backyard when your dog begins to furiously dig holes non stop. It seems like this is just innate behavior, which some experts credit to burying their valuables or even burying their kill.
Digging
Biting
When it comes to biting, usually dogs biting one another is playful and is not hard or harmful. Puppies sometimes bite, and while usually it is also playful, it is important to note when it can turn into aggression.
Biting
Sleeping Near You
While you may have invested in the perfect dog bed, you may have noticed that your pup may want to snuggle up right beside you. This can be explained by their ancestors that would sleep together as a pack for protection. It’s always fun to snuggle up with a little furball!
Sleeping Near You
Patting With Their Paws
When a dog pats you with her paw, it is an adorable indication that she is trying to get your attention. When dogs do this to each other, it shows that they trust one another. It can be compared to when you pat your fellow human!
Patting With Their Paws
Post-Meal Cuddles
Have you noticed that after a meal your doggie will try to come up to you and cuddle? This means that they feel safe and comfortable around you, and just as we do, they tend to want to nap after eating, and who better to snuggle up with than their favorite human?
Post-Meal Cuddles
Panting
When dogs get overheated, they don’t sweat like humans do. Instead, they start panting in order to cool down. This helps decrease their body temperature. Another reason behind panting can also be dehydration, so offer your panting pup some water!
Panting
Moving Eyes
Eyes are extremely expressive, whether human or dog. Dogs can indicate feelings of sadness, tiredness, surprise, or energy all with their eyes. They’ll even raise their eyebrows when confused, just as we do. Usually you’ll get to know your dog well enough to be able to read these expressions.
Moving Eyes
Crouching Down
Have you ever noticed your dog crouching down into what some call the “play bow?” It’s when the dog will lower his head and keep the rest of his body straight, which is a sign of wanting to play. Get the frisbee ready!
Crouching Down
Circling Around
If you’ve ever noticed your dog walking around in circles, you may have noticed that this usually comes before they get down on the ground and get ready for a nap. This is ancestral, dating back to their wolf ancestors, who made the area around them more comfortable by stepping down on the ground to create a groove in the earth. Nowadays, it just looks funny to us.
Circling Around
Howling Loudly
While it can be annoying at times, a dog letting out a howl can be an indication of how your dog is feeling. Before you rush to quiet him down, try to figure out what he is trying to tell you.
Howling Loudly
Puppy Eyes
There’s nothing more heartbreaking and adorable than those classic puppy eyes. Even though we sometimes think it means our doggies are sad, it can actually just be an indication that they love us. Their eyes evolved to look this way to elicit compassion from us, and let’s just say, it’s working real well for us!
Puppy Eyes
Yowling
When a dog is “yowling,” it is them trying to communicate with us. This is common with many breeds, especially German Shepards and Huskies. This can lead to many funny situations and plenty of hilarious Internet videos.
Yowling