Body language is an integral part of Doglish — your puppy’s first language. Play, tension, relaxation — they all have different postures. Your puppy thinks you’re a dog, and she doesn’t grasp the “I’m pushing you frantically because I’m unhappy with your greeting manners” concept.
By dealing with a situation this way, you’re communicating differently than you think you are. By pushing and shouting, you’re actually copying her body language, which reinforces her behavior.
Puppies talk with their bodies, so you need to learn to listen with your eyes, not your ears. More specifically, you can translate your puppy’s “talk” by watching her tail and body postures, mouth, ear angulations, and eyes. Use the following figure and table to interpret what she’s saying.
Credit: Illustration by Barbara Frake
Understand what your puppy is telling you in these five postures.
Reading Your Puppy’s Body Language
Body Part |
Fearful |
Undecided |
Relaxed |
Alert |
Defensive |
Eyes |
Squinting, darting, unfocused |
Focused or shifting |
Focused or dozing |
Attentive, focused |
Glaring, hard |
Body |
Low, arched, pulled back and down, hackles may be up |
Shifting from forward to pulled back, approaching but then
immediately avoiding the person |
Relaxed |
Comfortable posture, leaning toward an interest, moving side to
side, or jumping if excited |
Pitched forward, rigid, tense |
Tail |
Tucked under belly, wagging low |
Tucked low under belly, arched slightly over back, or
fluctuating between the two |
Tail down in resting position |
Still or gently swinging in a relaxed or slightly elevated
position |
Still above rump or arched above back in a tight repetitive
wag |
Mouth |
Pulled back, often in a tense, nervous semi-smile |
Tense, trembling, nervous licking |
Relaxed |
Panting, normal, may be parted in a vocalization |
Tight, unflinching, may be parted in a growl or
vocalization |
As you blaze the training trail, remember these guidelines for your own body language:
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Stand upright and relaxed when directing your puppy. You could call this stance the peacock position. (Imagine a peacock — beautiful and proud, chest out, confident, and in control.) When giving your puppy direction or a command, throw your shoulders back and stand tall. Tell your family and friends about this position and start strutting your stuff.
If you bend over when giving your puppy a command, don’t be surprised if she doesn’t listen. You’re doing the doggy equivalent of a play bow, which is a posture that invites a game.
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Don’t face off or chase your puppy when you’re mad. She’ll only think you’re playing.
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When you’re trying to quiet or direct your puppy, stay calm and relaxed. Reactive posturing excites or unnerves a puppy.
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Always remember that you set the example. If you’re standing upright, calm, and confident, your puppy will be more inclined to look to you for direction and reassurance.
Можете ли икада сићи и играти се или мазити са својим штенетом? Наравно да можете. Када је ваше штене мирно или ометано играчком или кости, можете се спустити на њен ниво и мирно разговарати док је умирујуће мазите. Избегавајте преузбуђене похвале или падање када је несташно расположена или тражите невоље!