Dog Training Video on Body Language
Reading your dog's body language is an important part of being a responsible dog owner.
It's important to be able to recognise when your dog is anxious, happy, or even in pain.
Taught positively, basic cues can strengthen the bond that you and your pet have.
What signs should we look out for? First of all, let's look at the tail - if it's a wide wag, they're usually happy.
If the tail is down tucked between the legs, it normally means that the dog is anxious - even if the tail is wagging.
The ears should be soft and floppy, not pinned back against the head, and in terms of the body, soft eyes and a relaxed stance are generally signs the dog is happy.
Turning the head away, avoiding eye contact, yawning, and lip licking can all be signs that a dog is starting to feel uncomfortable. If they are staring, showing the whites of their eyes, growling, or snapping - remove them from the situation as soon as possible.
Never punish your dog for showing signs of aggression - it's a natural response to fear, so just make sure you remove them from the situation as soon as you can. Practise observing your dog and see what signs you recognise.
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