The Meaning Behind Common Dog Behaviors (They Communicate With Us More Than We Realize)
Welcoming a dog into your life means forging a meaningful connection with a steadfast, affectionate friend. Beyond their joyful tail wags and playful licks, dogs express themselves through a rich language of body signals and behaviors.
These subtle cues reveal what they're feeling and thinking. As caring pet parents, tuning into and interpreting these signs helps deepen our understanding and strengthens the bond we share with our canine companions.
Raised Hackles
Although raised hackles are commonly linked to dominance or aggression, this reaction can actually stem from a variety of feelings.
As The Barmy Beagle highlights, dogs might raise their hackles when they're excited, overstimulated, or feeling anxious—not just when they’re showing aggression.
Zoomies
Zoomies might look like pure playfulness, but there's a real reason behind those fast, spinning sprints.
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs often build up extra energy—whether it’s physical energy from being cooped up or nervous energy from a stressful moment—which they release in these quick bursts of running around wildly.
Head Tilting
When your dog tilts its head as you talk, that's actually a great sign!
VCA Animal Hospitals explains that this gesture shows your dog is engaged—kind of like how we humans nod to show we’re listening and paying attention during a conversation.
Sleeping On Their Back
Dogs often sleep on their backs for a few key reasons. Most importantly, this position is quite vulnerable, so when a dog does it, it usually means they feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings. Another reason is to help regulate their body temperature.
Dr. Travis McDermott from Durango Animal Hospital points out, "Dogs release heat through their paws, and sleeping on their backs helps them cool off." So, it's a clever way for them to stay comfy and beat the heat.
Changing Up Their Preferred Napping Spot
If your dog starts napping somewhere different than usual, there's usually no need to worry.
This change can mean a few things—maybe the temperature shifted, something in the environment feels different, or your dog just found a comfier place to catch some z’s. It’s often just their way of adapting and staying cozy.
Ears Pinned But A Wagging Tail
Laura Welch, a dog trainer and behavior expert, emphasizes the importance of noticing when a dog's ears are pinned back while their tail is still wagging.
She explains, "If a dog’s ears are softly laid back along with a wagging tail, it usually means they’re feeling friendly. However, if the ears are pinned tightly back, it indicates fear. A wagging tail doesn’t always mean a dog is happy—often, it simply shows they’re engaged in what’s happening."
Restlessness And Pacing
If you see your dog pacing and seeming restless, it's often a sign of anxiety or stress—especially if they’re waiting for their owner to come back.
Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM, notes, "Dogs at home may pace near the front door while waiting for a family member to return. They might also pace by the back door when they need to go outside to relieve themselves."
Excessive Digging
If your dog is digging in the backyard, at the beach, or in the park, there's no need to worry—digging is a natural instinct for dogs.
The American Kennel Club explains that dogs dig for various reasons, such as trying to catch prey or searching for cooler ground to lie on when they’re feeling hot.
Flicking Their Ears
Although it might seem a little odd, there's no cause for alarm if your dog starts flicking its ears.
Pet Helpful explains that dogs flick their ears as a way of listening. "Most animals flick their ears when they hear an unfamiliar sound. So, if you notice your furry friend flicking their ears back and forth, it means they’re trying to focus and catch the sound more clearly."
Leaning Against You
When your dog leans on you, it's usually for a straightforward reason.
Leaning is often a way for dogs to seek physical affection and closeness. It's their way of showing trust, love, and a need to be near you.
Licking Your Face
When a dog licks your face, it's usually their way of showing love and affection. It helps them feel closer to you and strengthens your bond.
According to The Kennel Club, "Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they’re stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!"
Obsessively Licking Paws
Dogs may lick their paws for several reasons, and one of the most common is self-grooming. However, it could also be a sign of an underlying issue like allergies.
Dr. Kristi Flynn, a veterinarian and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, explains: "The most common cause of paw licking is generally environmental allergies, also called atopic dermatitis. Other causes of licking paws can include ectopic parasites such as fleas or mites, referred pain from arthritis — licking the feet or limbs since they can't reach the painful joint."
Ears Pinned Back
Dogs may pull their ears back to show submission or to try and calm a situation. It's their way of saying they’re not a threat and want to avoid any kind of conflict. You’ll often see this along with other signs like a lowered body, tucked tail, or looking away.
According to AZ Animals, "Having ears back is often a welcoming gesture from your dog. They are trying to get close to you without looking threatening."
Maintaining Eye Contact
According to the American Kennel Club, one of the main reasons dogs stare at their owners is to communicate. They might be trying to tell you they need to go outside, want to play, or are hoping for a treat!
But there are other reasons for that intense eye contact too. Dogs may be trying to read your emotions, form a deeper bond, or in some cases, even assert dominance or issue a challenge.
Picking Up A Stick And Carrying It Home
There are many different reasons why dogs will pick up a stick during a walk and carry it home. One reason is as simple as they're having fun!
According to Hund Denmark, "When a dog picks up a stick, it's not just because they want to play fetch. Dogs carry sticks home because they are trying to communicate with you. Through body language and other forms of communication, dogs let us know that they want something from us when they pick up the stick. If your dog is carrying a stick around, don't assume that he wants to play fetch or tug of war!"
Puppy Dog Eyes
Puppy dog eyes can strengthen the bond between dogs and their human companions. The expression triggers an empathetic response in humans, leading to increased feelings of attachment, care, and a desire to provide for the dog's needs.
Amazingly, puppy dog eyes are an evolutionary advancement in domesticated dogs. According to a group of researchers, "Dogs have a facial muscle that has evolved over the past 33,000 years, making their eyes look bigger and their faces sadder, younger and cuter, reeling in the humans who come across them."
Taking A Favorite Toy On A Walk
Dogs may bring their favorite toy on a walk as a source of comfort and security.
Having their cherished object nearby can provide a sense of familiarity and help alleviate any anxiety or stress associated with being outside or in new environments.
Shaking Off When Not Wet
According to a study done in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, "...dogs can shake off around 70 percent of water on their fur in four seconds. But dogs also shake off when they're dry — and that means something entirely different."
If they shake and are not wet, this can be a sign of anxiety or stress.
Being Destructive
If your dog is all of a sudden being destructive, it could mean a few different things, ranging from boredom to separation anxiety.
Highland Canine Training says, "These problems usually arise from a lack of exercise, mental stimulation, or training."
Slowly Blinking
When a dog slowly blinks, it often signifies relaxation, trust, and contentment.
Slow blinking is considered a calming signal in dog communication. It's a way for dogs to convey non-threatening and friendly intentions, particularly towards other dogs or humans. Slow blinking can help diffuse tense situations and promote a sense of ease and relaxation.
Excessive Drooling
If your dog is excessively drooping, it is definitely something to look into. The reason being it could mean they are having severe anxiety or nausea, are having dental issues, have ingested a toxin, or are overheating, according to Kingsdale Animal Hospital.
Of course, the drooling could also be because of the breed!
Abnormal Water Consumption
It is important to notice a dog's water consumption and if it has increased.
According to PetMD, increased or abnormal water consumption can mean a wide variety of things, including kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, Cushing's syndrome, or simply dehydration.
Increase In Vocalization
An increase in vocalization refers to a dog uncontrollably barking, whining, or crying at strange times of the day or night.
According to PetMD, "Such vocalization can be due to pain, illness or cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), or may be related to a decline in hearing in senior pets."
Excessive Itching And Rubbing Against Objects
There are a few different reasons why your dog may be itching or rubbing against objects (at least more often than normal.).
According to PetMD, this excessive itching and rubbing can be due to allergies, boredom, dry skin, parasites, pain, anxiety, or a hormonal imbalance. If you notice your dog itching excessively, it is recommended you bring them to the vet.
Pawing At Objects (Or You!)
Pawing at objects or you are pretty easy to understand: your dog is seeking attention!
Trupanion veterinarian Dr. Caroline Wilde says, "This attention-seeking tactic can be for anything from food or water to playtime or just some pats on the head."
Panting And Smiling At The Same Time
Panting and smiling at the same time is a great sign when it comes to dog behavior! It means they are happy and content.
According to PetMD, "Most of the time when dogs smile, they are indeed happy, so it's easy to relate that expression to human smiles."
Abnormal Paw Lifting When Taking Walks
Also known as knuckling, a dog who is walking abnormally on its front or back paws is something all dog owners look out for.
According to Integrative veterinarian Dr. Buzby, knuckling occurs for a variety of reasons, such as spinal stroke, intervertebral disc disease, degenerative myelopathy (spinal disease), carpal flexural deformity, and wobbler syndrome.
Yawning
While humans typically yawn because they are tired, dogs yawn for an entirely different reason -- they're stressed (ok, and maybe a bit tired).
Turid Rugaas, Norwegian behaviorist and author of On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signal, says, "Yawning is one of many signals dogs use to calm themselves when they are stressed or uneasy."
Chasing Their Tail
Dog owners might want to think about bringing their dogs to the park if they catch them chasing their tails!
Hill's Pet Nutrition says, "More likely than not, they may be lacking mental stimulation, looking for attention, or simply trying to burn excess energy. That's the case for lots of dogs — especially younger dogs and puppies. Often, these dogs find that running in circles is great fun!"
Sleeping With Their Feet Tucked Into Their Side, The "Donut"
If a dog is sleeping with their feet tucked into their stomach, they are doing nothing more than protecting themselves from threats.
McMac, says, "This position keeps all of the dog's vital organs tucked and hidden. When a dog sleeps in this position, it means that they seek to protect themselves while sleeping or that they’re still getting used to their environment. This is especially common in stray or new dogs."
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