Wagging means they are happy, and with their tail between their legs they are scared, but how can we analyze the body language of dogs even better?
Three important emotions
Your four-legged friend has those basic states: aggressive, anxious and playful. These outside can be accompanied by voltage that can be positively or negatively charged.
1. Aggressive
Growling is a good indicator of aggressive behavior, but these aggressive feelings actually go too far. Sometimes it can seem like aggression in dogs comes out of nowhere, but it builds up. For example, one of the first signals that a dog does not feel comfortable is when he avoids something or someone. Does he turn his head away? Then that is a sign that he is not okay with something and does not want it. You can also notice the build-up of this tension when a small tip of the tongue sticks out of his mouth or when you see a lot of the white of his eyes.
2. Anxious
When a dog is scared, you will often see it with its tail between its legs. This is also where the saying ‘with your tail between your legs’ comes from. Now not all dog species can actually put their tail between their legs, but they will round their back, with the butt going down. Sometimes they even press their entire body to the ground.
3. Playful
Is your dog very hyperactive when taken for a walk? That could be a sign that the four-legged friend is in a playful mood. Playful dogs like to show off a bit, and then deliberately act clumsy, clumsy and clownish. In this way they also show other people of their kind that they are up for a game. Please note that the playing is a two-way affair: two playing rascals occasionally take a break and then reverse roles. If your faithful friend only goes after the neighbor’s yapper and not the other way around, that’s a sign they’re not playing.
A dog’s body language
These three emotions are very important, and it is therefore best to pay attention to which signals you see before making a judgement. Do you think he plays? Then first check whether it behaves clumsily and gives others the opportunity, or whether it actually scares other four-legged friends to death. You will also have to look at the signals in case of aggression and fear: are the hairs on the back raised and is the body tense? Then you will have to walk around oncoming traffic.
