Reading your dog’s body language and emotions

Dogs are amazing animals, just brilliant!

We speak to them in our language and they listen, they sit, stay, paw and fetch and their faces light up when we tell them we love them. It doesn’t happen instantly, either, they learn as they live with us.

You could adopt a dog in England and take it home to Wales and speak Welsh and in a few months, it would understand your commands, so shouldn’t we take the time to learn our dog’s language too?

Unfortunately, as our dogs don’t speak (even though we wish they could) we have to rely on their body language. In this article, we explain more about the meaning of your dog’s body language, including common movements and actions, so you can learn to understand what your pooch is trying to tell you. 

What does your dog’s body language mean?

Dogs often communicate with their whole body, not just one part of it. From the tips of their ears to the end of their tails, you should always interpret your dog’s movements and actions together.

Below, we explore how different parts of the body communicate your dog’s emotions:

A dog’s tail

People often think there are only two ways to interpret a dog’s tail - with a wagging tail meaning your dog is happy, and a tucked tail meaning that they’re sad. This is definitely not the case, and there’s sometimes more to a dog’s tail body language than meets the eye: 

Wagging tail

When you get home from work your dog probably greets you with a wagging tail because they’re happy to see you but what does it mean if your dog’s tail is wagging more slowly?

A slow wagging might indicate that your dog is feeling nervous or is wary of something, especially if their head is lowered too. If their tail is stiff while it’s wagging, then this could indicate some unfriendly intentions and should definitely not be ignored.

According to one study, sometimes the direction of your dog’s tail wag can reveal how they’re feeling. Dogs tend to wag more to the right when feeling positive, and more to the left when uncertain or stressed. 

Tail tucked between legs

You might have seen this in your own dog in certain situations or noticed it in other dogs you’ve encountered and have a rough idea as to what it means. A tail tucked between a dog's legs is a big indicator that the dog is scared.

Young puppies that have been brought home for the first time might spend the first few days, or weeks, with their tail tucked between their legs as they’re uncertain or feeling quite vulnerable.

A submissive dog might also keep its tail between its legs when meeting new dogs or people, or when they’ve done something they shouldn’t have. You know, like chew the post or left you a warm surprise while you were out.

High tail

When a dog holds their tail high, it usually signals confidence or alertness. In some cases, it can also indicate dominance or even aggression, especially if the tail is stiff and paired with a hard stare or tense posture.

Breed matters here too - for example, some dogs naturally carry their tails higher, while for others it’s a clear shift in their mood. Always consider the whole body and the situation before interpreting what a high tail really means.

The Ears

Well, a dog’s ears come in all shapes and sizes, don’t they? From basset hounds to corgis, you have floppy ears and pointy ones, while some dogs have small ones and others have ears too big for their heads.

Regardless of what type of ears your dog has you’ll still be able to know what your dog’s thinking by simply reading their movement.

Ears back

Ever wondered why dogs put their ears back? You might notice your dog’s ears positioned back when they’re in a friendly mood, and combined with a happy wagging tail this is the perfect mood. However, you should pay particular attention if they’re pinned back, as this can signify other emotions.

Pinned ears

If your dog’s ears are loosely pinned back then your dog is being submissive, especially if their tail is tucked between their legs.
If their ears are pinned tightly against the back of their head this could mean your dog is terrified.

Pointed ears

A dog will often point their ears up if they’re curious or alert. This type of ear expression could happen on walks, when you’re squeaking a toy at them, or even talking to your dog in a tone they’re not that used to. Yes, we all do it!

The Eyes

Eyes are one of the most expressive parts of your dog’s body language. Sometimes, we find it amusing when dogs’ eyes look a little too “human”, but they’re often trying to communicate whether they’re calm, curious, or feeling uneasy.

Whale eyes

If you see the whites of your dog’s eyes (“whale eye”), it usually means they are anxious or uncomfortable. This might happen if they’re guarding a toy, uneasy about a stranger, or worried you’re getting too close to something they value, like food or a bone.

Large, dilated pupils

Also called “puppy dog eyes”, this look comes from a combination of dilated pupils and raised inner eyebrows. Research suggests dogs evolved special facial muscles to make this expression, as it encourages a caregiving response from humans.

Dogs may use this look when they want food, attention, or comfort. While it often appears during begging, it can also be a natural way for your dog to strengthen their bond with you. It’s also worth noting that pupil size can also change in response to excitement or stress. 

Eye contact

Dogs use eye contact differently to humans, and the meaning depends on context. A hard stare with a tense body may signal aggression, while soft, blinking, or squinting eyes suggest relaxation. Avoid staring directly at a fearful dog, as this can escalate their stress.

Some dogs will deliberately look away to avoid conflict. This is a calming signal rather than disobedience.

Posture

You may also notice changes or patterns in your dog’s posture which can also show you how they’re feeling. 

Play bows

A play bow - front legs stretched forward, chest low, and bottom in the air - is a universal sign that a dog wants to play. You’ll often see it paired with a wagging tail, bouncy movements, or a playful bark.

Sometimes dogs repeat play bows during games to show that their nipping, chasing, or wrestling is all in fun. Puppies in particular use this signal to reassure other dogs that they’re not being aggressive.

Shifting weight

A dog’s weight distribution can tell you a lot about their state of mind:

• Leaning back, cowering, or crouching low: shows fear, uncertainty, or a desire to retreat. Dogs in this posture may also tuck their tail or avoid eye contact.
• Leaning forward with stiff legs: often signals alertness or even challenge. If paired with a raised tail and hard stare, it can be a warning sign of confrontation.
• Loose, balanced posture: suggests relaxation and confidence, with weight spread evenly across all four paws.

Pointing or raised paws

A dog sometimes ‘points’ by freezing their body, lifting one front paw, and aiming their nose at something of interest. This behaviour is strongly associated with hunting breeds like setters and pointers, who traditionally used it to signal prey, but any dog might do it when they’ve spotted something exciting - whether it’s a bird, a squirrel, or even their favourite tennis ball.

Outside of hunting instinct, a raised paw can also show curiosity or mild uncertainty, particularly in non-pointing breeds. As always, the meaning depends on the rest of your dog’s body language, such as their ears, eyes, and tail.

Other things to look out for

As well as the body language explored above, there are a few other behaviours that are also useful to bear in mind: 

Yawning

Your dog is probably tired, but dogs also yawn if they’re feeling stressed or anxious. For example, you might notice yawning during tense situations, such as loud arguments, a vet visit, or meeting a new dog.

Licking lips

While this is common after eating or drinking, sometimes dogs lick their lips to tell you they’re feeling a little uncomfortable or scared. You should pay particular attention if this is combined with any of the other tell-tale signs of fear in your dog, including tightly pinned back ears and a tucked tail.

Straight-faced

A serious, focused expression with tense muscles and pointed ears often signals concentration. This posture usually appears during play or training, such as when your dog is waiting for you to throw a ball or release them from a command.

Raised hackles

Sometimes you’ll notice the hair along your dog’s back standing up (this is called piloerection). Raised hackles are not always aggression; they can mean arousal, excitement, or stress. Pay close attention to other signals (tail, ears, body posture) to understand the full picture.

Conclusion

All dogs are different, and while guides like this can help you recognise common meanings behind dog body language and behaviours, the most important thing is getting to know your own dog. Over time, you’ll learn to interpret their unique mix of signals and understand whether they’re feeling happy, worried, relaxed, or simply tired.

If you’re ever concerned about sudden changes in your dog’s behaviour, it’s always best to speak to your vet. They can rule out any medical issues and, if needed, recommend a qualified behaviourist for extra support. By combining knowledge with patience and care, you’ll be able to give your dog the reassurance and understanding they need.

Related resources

Understanding your dog’s language - barks
Anxiety in Pets
Dog training and behaviour