Dogs communicate constantly — not with words, but with their bodies. As a dog owner, learning to read your dog’s body language can help you build a stronger bond, prevent misunderstandings, and respond to their needs appropriately.
This guide will help you interpret your dog’s signals by breaking down the key areas: body posture, tail, ears, mouth, and eyes — and how they change when your dog is worried, excited, over-aroused, or nervous.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog is here to give you some help in recognising dog body language. These may not be the same signs for all dogs, and you will need to look at the dog and the situation to give you a clearer picture of how your dog might be feeling. IF you are unsure, contact a trainer to help you decipher these signals and help you understand your furry friend better!
Body Posture
Worried/Nervous
- Body is tense or hunched
- May crouch or lower body toward the ground
- Shifting weight back or leaning away
- Trying to appear smaller
Excited
- Bouncy, loose body movements
- Play bows (front legs lowered, rear end up)
- May jump or wiggle energetically
Over-Aroused
- Stiff or overly energetic movements
- May pace, spin, or seem unable to settle
- Muscles tight but highly active
Tail
Worried/Nervous
- Tail tucked or held low
- May be still or gently wagging low
- Sometimes clamped tightly under the body
Excited
- Wagging rapidly and loosely at mid to high level
- May wag whole rear end
- Usually accompanied by soft, happy body posture
Over-Aroused
- Tail may be high and stiff, wagging fast
- Not relaxed — movements are sharper
- Can signal tension or overexcitement
Ears
Worried/Nervous
- Pinned back or pulled to the side
- Flicking frequently, alert for sounds
- May be held in a flat or lowered position
Excited
- Perked up, facing forward
- Moving in response to stimuli
- Generally relaxed, not pinned
Over-Aroused
- Forward and stiff, or twitching constantly
- Hyper-responsive to every sound
- Often combined with intense focus
Mouth
Worried/Nervous
- Mouth closed tightly
- Lips may be pulled back slightly (not snarling)
- Yawning or lip licking (displacement signals)
- May pant even if not hot
Excited
- Mouth open and relaxed
- Tongue lolling out
- Happy panting
Over-Aroused
- Panting heavily
- Mouth may close suddenly if triggered
- May grab, nip, or bite due to impulse control issues
Eyes
Worried/Nervous
- Wide eyes with visible whites (“whale eye”)
- Avoiding eye contact or looking sideways
- Blinking frequently or squinting
Excited
- Bright, focused, and engaged
- Eyes soft, often making brief eye contact
Over-Aroused
- Intense stare or darting eyes
- Pupils dilated
- May lock on to stimuli (e.g., another dog, toy) with hyper focus like a stare
Putting It All Together
Recognizing the whole picture is key. One signal alone (like a wagging tail) can be misleading without context. For example, a wagging tail isn’t always happy — it can also mean arousal or tension.
Here’s a quick example:
State, Posture, Tail, Ears, Mouth, Eyes
Worried/Nervous – Crouched, tense, Tucked/low, Back/flattened, Closed, lip licking, Whale eye, darting
Excited – Bouncy, loose, Wagging freely, Forward, alert, Open, relaxed panting, Bright, soft
Over-Aroused – Stiff, restless, High, fast wag, Rigid, forward, Heavy panting, nipping, Wide, pupils dilated
Learning your dog’s body language is one of the most valuable tools you can have as a dog owner. Every dog is unique, and some may show emotions a little differently — but with observation and experience, you’ll begin to notice the subtleties in their expressions.
By recognizing the signs early, you can better support your dog, prevent unwanted behaviours, and create a more trusting and responsive relationship.