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Dog Body Language

from: Kyle Besser

Dogs use their bodies and paws to express a variety of different things. Below are some examples and what dog body language means.

When a dog crouches with front legs extended, rear up, and head near the ground, this is the classic play bow which means simply, "I want to play!"

Stiff-legged, upright posture or slow, stiff-legged movement forward means "I am in charge around here!" and "I challenge you." A dominant dog will use this dominant dog behavior posture to indicate assertion of authority and a willingness to fight for that authority. With body slightly sloped forward and feet braced means "I accept your challenge and am ready to fight!"

When a dog rolls on its side or exposes its underside, it means "Let's not argue" or "I am not a threat to you" or "I accept that you are in charge here." This submissive dog behavior posture is a response to avoid conflict. Many dogs adopt this submissive dog behavior posture in a fairly relaxed and contented manner when they are around their pack leader. When your dog rolls on its back for a belly rub, it is actually accepting you as leader of the pack.

When a dog places its head on another dog's shoulder or places a paw on the back of another dog, it means "I want you to know who is the boss around here." These dominant dog behavior gestures are commonly used by dominant dogs, pack leaders, and dogs that have aspirations of becoming a pack leader.

Mouthing shows up in dog human interactions as the dog taking the handler's hand in his mouth or while walking, taking the lead in the mouth. Mouthing can be a serious sign of dominance challenging showing that the dog does not accept the human as pack leader.

When a dog places its paw on its master's knee, it means "Look, I am here" or "Pay attention to me." This is an attention seeking signal that has many variations, including pawing the air in front of the master or sliding the head under the master's hand.

When hair bristles on the back and shoulders, this is a sign of anticipated aggression. A ridge of hair bristling down the back is a dominant dog behavior sign that says "Do not push me, I am angry!" When the bristling extends to the shoulders, it means "I have had it with you" and is a sign of an imminent attack.

When a dog sits with one front paw slightly raised, this is another sign of stress but is combined with insecurity. It means "I am anxious, uneasy and concerned."

Scraping the ground and ripping the turf with the its paws usually occurs after a dog has defecated but may occur at other times. Dogs have glands on the bottom of their feet that provide each with a unique scent. What a dog is saying here is "I was here and I am leaving my calling card!"