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Image courtesy CDP

Because humans form deep relationships with their animal companions, it is easy to misinterpret a dog’s actions from a human perspective, assuming they are showing guilt, aggression, or affection based on the body language of other humans. This can lead to misunderstandings with our dogs and can alter training, the human-animal bond, and a dog's well-being.

Dogs have their own complex language, including vocalizations and physical actions. Becoming proficient in understanding your dog's signals can help meet their needs and prevent behavioral issues. Normal breed conformation, such as the high-held, curled tail of the Akita, must be considered when reading dog body language.

Myth 1: The Wagging Tail Means a Happy Dog

One of the most common myths is that a wagging tail means the dog is friendly and happy. This can be a dangerous mistake and may result in a dog bite. While a wagging tail can sometimes mean a dog is friendly, the tail's position and speed are better indicators of the dog's emotional state. Tail position and movement should be viewed as just a piece of the bigger body language puzzle. 

• Middle position: A relaxed, happy tail is usually loose, swinging broadly from side to side and positioned parallel to the ground.
• Low position: A tail held low and moving in a tight, fast swing often indicates a nervous or anxious dog.
• High position: A tail held high and wagging stiffly may indicate an assertive, aroused dog.

Another clue to consider is that dogs wag their tails toward the right when they see something they like, such as their caregiver, and toward the left when something is novel or negative. This mirrors the brain: the left hemisphere (which controls the right side of the body) processes positive emotions, while the right hemisphere (which controls the left side of the body) manages avoidance and “warning” feelings.

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Myth 2: A Dog Growling or Lunging Toward Someone or Another Dog Means They Are Aggressive

While a dog that is growling, barking, or lunging at something is displaying threatening behavior, the underlying motivation is typically fear-based rather than true aggression. By offering loud, posturing behaviors, they try to create distance between themselves and the scary thing. Because most people and other dogs move away, the behavior has been reinforced. Consider the dog’s overall body language when distinguishing between aggression and fear.

Offensive aggression is likely if:

• The dog’s weight is shifted forward onto their front legs; 
• Body is stiffened;
• Fur is raised along the top line (piloerection);
• The ears are held high and forward;
• Their tail is high and rigid. 

    Defensive/fear-based displays include:

• Lowered body with their weight shifted to the back legs
• Ears are pinned back; tail is tucked
• Retreating, even with occasional forward lunges.

Punishment is not the answer to these displays, which are your dog’s means of communication. Instead, move your dog away from the trigger and address their underlying emotional state at a greater distance, using counterconditioning to create a positive association.

Myth 3: Dogs Will Look Guilty if They Have Done Something Wrong

You find a chewed shoe near your dog, and their ears are pulled back, their tail wagging low and quickly, their head lowered, and they are offering a paw. They are not showing guilt; they are demonstrating appeasement or displacement behaviors. They are fearful of your harsh, disapproving tone and tense posture.

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Image courtesy CDP

Myth 4: Continual Play Means Your Dog is Having Fun

Wrestling, tug-of-war, body slamming, and slapping can all be normal dog play. However, short breaks are critical for healthy play, allowing all dogs involved an opportunity to choose to re-engage or move away. These breaks may be a few seconds, but they are a chance to reduce arousal and emotionally regulate.

Without breaks, dogs can become overstimulated, and conflict can arise. When a bigger or stronger dog plays with a smaller one, the bigger dog should hold back a little to keep things fair. If mouths are used during play, the biting should be gentle and controlled.

Warning signs that play is going wrong:

• One dog is always the chaser or always gets pinned down
• One dog gets backed into a corner
• A dog ignores the other dog’s signals to stop
• Dogs stand on their hind legs and crash into each other
• Grabbing and pulling on skin or fur
• Stiff bodies, hard stares, or raised fur along the back

If you are unsure whether the play is healthy, calmly separate the dogs for a brief moment. If one dog avoids the other, shakes off, or sniffs the ground, play was becoming one-sided and a break was certainly needed.

Myth 5: Dogs Do Not Laugh

Dogs have a specialized vocalization that has been identified as laughter. Unlike the human “ha ha”, it is more like a breathy exhale, “wuh wuh”. While barking and growling can be used in many contexts, the dog’s laugh is used only during friendly greetings, signaling an intent to play. 

Canine body language is a sum of the whole, rather than individual parts. Avoid judging the dog’s intentions based on a single feature; look at the overall context.

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Image courtesy of Pat Koven LVT, KPA CTP

Myth 6: Dogs That Are Together Are Choosing To Be Together

Just because two dogs are near each other does not mean they both want to be there. Dogs need to choose to participate in any interaction. If a dog tries to leave, hide, climb up on something to get away, or avoids another dog, they are not having fun.

Forcing dogs to interact when they do not want to does not help them get used to it. Instead, it makes them more anxious and fearful of other dogs over time. Always give dogs the choice to walk away, and respect that choice when they make it.

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Willy is confident that all holidays are meant for him. Image courtesy Pat Koven, LVT, KPA CTP

Myth 7: Dogs Do Not Smile

Yes, dogs "smile," but some people can perceive "smiles" incorrectly. Appeasement grins sometimes come off as a smile but may mean the dog feels conflicted. Willy, the dog in the holiday photo, is known for smiling. You can tell because the rest of his body language is relaxed - ears, facial muscles, and lips are back but loose, not tight. If a dog's lips are pulled back very tightly, the tongue is sticking way out (often panting), and teeth are exposed, that is probably not a smile.