Dogs speak to us, but in a different language. Unfortunately, there's no Rosetta Stone DVD to help us learn "dog talk." So, instead, we must analyze it ourselves, keeping it in context, avoiding asserting our own interpretations, and remembering that dogs were once wild animals.
Confident and Relaxed
Stance - erect
Tail - wagging slowly
Ears - pricked up but with a relaxed look
Eyes - small pupils
Mouth - closed or slight parting of lips
Fearful or Anxious
Stance - lowered
Tail - tucked under
Ears - down
Eyes - a wide-eyed look with the whites showing
Mouth - panting
Aggressive
Stance - rigid
Tail - straight up or out behind, very rigid
Ears - pricked up
Eyes - intense, focused stare
Mouth - lips are pulled back and some teeth show
Hackles - this is a line of hair that starts at the base of the neck and runs down the shoulders. It is raised if a dog is feeling aggressive and lowered if he is relaxed.
Fear-Aggressive
Stance - dog is pulled into himself
Tail - tucked completely under
Ears - lying down
Eyes - wide-eyed and trouble focusing
Mouth - lips pulled back slightly or heavy panting
Relaxed
Stance - lying down or standing without any alertness
Tail - up and wagging or lying naturally
Ears - at their normal state, depending on the breed (A Terrier's would be up but relaxed, a Hound's would be down)
Eyes - normal pupil dilation, focused but not staring
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