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How Dogs Communicate

from: Kyle Besser

Dogs are one of the most intelligent animals among the ones we keep as domestic pets. Dogs have the ability to communicate with humans, with other dogs and even with other animals. Dogs communicate by using various body language signs and different vocals. The dog body language signs are made with the help of body movement involving eyes, ears, eyebrows, head, mouth and tail. Different vocals include barks, howls, growls, whimpers and whines.

The meaning of dog body language gestures can change depending on the situation. For example, if a dog pants, it can mean that the dog is feeling hot, the dog is feeling happy or the dog is feeling anxious. When a dog pants with a full open mouth, the dog is feeling happy. When a dog pants with a slightly open mouth, it needs to be played with.

Dogs lift one forelimb up when it wants to play. Dogs will stamp its front limbs when it is excited. Dogs scratch objects they want. If a dog tilts its head in a particular direction, it means that it is trying to concentrate and recognize an unfamiliar sound.

Dogs have the feeling of submission and dominance in them. This is because dogs lived in packs in the wild where they have hierarchy within the group. The weaker dogs submit themselves to the stronger dog. That is the reason why dogs lower their tail when they feel insecure. Confident and higher ranked dogs have a higher held tail. When dogs fight for dominance, the fur on their tail stands up. Dogs do this to increase their size in front of their enemy.

When a dog is in a confused state, it wags its tail slowly while it is in the process of figuring out whether it should accept the situation or it still has not accepted the situation completely but is in the process. Excited dogs wag their tails very fast. If the hip moves along with the tail, it means the dog is ready for submission to a dog of higher rank.

When dogs get aggressive they show their fangs. If the teeth are visible, it indicates that the dog is ready to bite or attack. Dogs also show teeth when they smile and this is an indication of submissiveness. Observing the number of teeth on display can differentiate a smile. Dog smiles reveal only the front teeth. When a dog snarls, all the teeth and gums can be seen.

Ears are a good indication about the attention levels of the dog. When the ears are erect and forward facing, the dog is concentrating. When the dog fears something, it lays down its ears. Some dogs hold their ears in a forward and horizontal direction when they are happy.

In majority of the cases, barking is done to scare away strangers and to make the owner aware of an intruder. Some dogs bark to convey emotions such as pleasure, fear, stress and suspicion. Dogs also tend to bark while they are playing.

When ae dog is excited or is playing, the barks are sharp and short. When dogs are stressed or anxious, they bark repeatedly in a high pitch tone. Dogs also bark to communicate with other animals such as cats, deer, squirrels, fox and other dogs, but the sound of this barking is different.

Growling is done to threaten or to show superiority. Dogs howl when they make long range communication.

A dog yawns when it is bored and needs to be left alone. Dogs also yawn when they are sleepy, stressed out or confused.