Reference
Body-language reference
Signals from relaxed to over threshold, what each often means, what to do now, and which source describes it. Filter by category. Body language is read in clusters and in context, never one signal at a time.
We read signals in clusters and in context: the eyes, mouth, ears, tail and body together, and what happened just before. One signal alone can mean several things. A yawn after a nap is not a yawn during a nail trim.
Most dogs move through quiet signals before loud ones. The PDSA ladder of communication, credited to Kendal Shepherd, runs from yawning and nose licking up through turning away, crouching, stiffening, growling and snapping to biting. PDSA and VCA both say a dog may skip steps or climb fast, especially if its earlier signals were ignored or punished. That is why we treat a growl as a warning to keep, not a problem to correct: Penn Vet says a dog taught not to growl may snap or bite with no warning.
This table is a reference for what you see, not a diagnosis. It cannot tell you why your dog is afraid or whether it is in pain. Use it with Read your dog, which teaches you to watch your own dog and find its threshold, and check its stop-and-call list when a row points there.
Limits
The table names signals and what they often mean. It does not tell you the cause, whether your dog will bite, or whether a behavior is medical. Call a veterinarian first, then a veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) or a credentialed behavior consultant, if your dog has bitten or snapped at anyone, guards food or objects with a stiff body, freezes or growls when handled, or is so afraid that it stops eating. VCA advises consulting your veterinarian immediately when you see aggressive postures, to check for pain and illness. Until then, use management: distance, gates, a leash and separate rooms.
Signals table
Filter by category or search for a word (for example "tail" or "ears"). Each row names its source and links it. Where sources read a signal differently, the row says so. Appeasement signals are the quiet signals VCA describes a dog using to avoid conflict, such as averting the eyes. Every "What to do now" is something you can do on the spot: add distance, stop, end the session, give the dog an exit, or call a professional.
| Signal | What it often means | Category | What to do now | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft, squinting eyes; almond-shaped, with little white showing | A relaxed dog. ASPCApro and CattleDog Publishing both list soft eyes among relaxed signals. | Relaxed | Carry on. Note the setting in your log so you know what calm looks like on this dog. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); CattleDog Publishing, Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (2022) |
| Loose body; ears neutral, slightly back or out to the sides | Relaxed. ASPCApro says relaxed ears may sit slightly back or out to the sides, so ear position alone does not mean worry; read it with the body. | Relaxed | Carry on. Compare later photos or notes against this baseline. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); CattleDog Publishing, Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (2022) |
| Open, relaxed mouth; may pant gently, corners turned slightly up | Relaxed, with no tension in the face or mouth. | Relaxed | Carry on. If the mouth closes suddenly, look at what just changed (see the stress rows). | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); CattleDog Publishing, Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (2022) |
| Loose, wide side-to-side wag, tail at or below spine level | ASPCApro reads a loose, wide wag with other relaxed signals as a relaxed, happy dog. Penn Vet says a wag means the dog intends to interact and is not a good predictor of what kind of interaction follows. Read the rest of the body before you approach. | Relaxed | Look at the eyes, mouth and body before you reach. A wag on its own is not an invitation to touch. | ASPCApro, body language tips; ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Slow blink | Sources differ. ASPCApro says slow blinking shows trust and affection. The PDSA ladder puts blinking with yawning and nose licking on its lowest rung of stress signals. Context decides. | Relaxed, or early stress | If the rest of the body is loose, carry on. If it comes with a lick, a yawn or a turned head, give the dog more room. | ASPCApro, body language tips; PDSA, canine ladder of communication |
| Front teeth shown with a soft body, squinty eyes and a wagging tail (a submissive grin) | Sources describe it differently. ASPCApro shows a dog grinning while greeting a favorite person and says teeth do not mean aggression on their own. Penn Vet calls it a sign of social anxiety, not a threat. Both say to read the whole body. | Greeting, or mild stress | Keep the greeting low-key and short. Check the eyes and body against the warning rows. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Lip or nose lick when no food is around | Anxiety about the situation. ASPCApro calls it an early stress sign; Penn Vet links it to anxiety; VCA calls licking and yawning ambivalent, cautious behavior; it sits on the lowest rung of the PDSA ladder. | Stress or appeasement | Pause and look at what just happened. Lower the difficulty, add distance, or end the session. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); VCA, Canine Communication; PDSA, canine ladder of communication |
| Yawn when the dog is not tired or just waking | Anxiety or conflict, per Penn Vet. ASPCApro lists yawning as an early stress sign. | Stress or appeasement | Stop asking for anything for a moment. Give the dog space and a break. | Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication |
| Looks away; avoids eye contact | VCA calls averted eyes the subtlest appeasement signal. Penn Vet says the dog is avoiding conflict, not ignoring you. Second rung of the PDSA ladder. | Stress or appeasement | Stop the approach or the request. Turn your own body slightly sideways and give the dog room. | VCA, Canine Communication; Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication |
| Turns the head or whole body away | Trying to avoid conflict; anxious or fearful (Penn Vet). Third rung of the PDSA ladder; low on VCA's escalation list. | Stress or appeasement | Stop what you are doing. Add distance from the trigger and let the dog settle. | Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication; VCA, Aggression in Dogs |
| Walks away or leaves the room | The dog may be tired, unwell or uncomfortable (Penn Vet). Fourth rung of the PDSA ladder. | Stress or appeasement | Let the dog go. PDSA warns that blocking an escape can push a dog up the ladder. Call the dog to you rather than reaching in after it. | Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication |
| Sniffs the ground, scratches or lies down in the middle of an interaction | ASPCApro lists these as avoidance behaviors that may mean the dog is done with play. Sniffing is also ordinary exploring, so watch what came just before. | Stress or appeasement | End the play or the greeting. Give the dog a quiet spot. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); ASPCApro, body language tips |
| Lifts a front paw | CattleDog Publishing: deciding whether to approach or retreat. VCA lists a raised paw in its progression of appeasement signals. | Stress or appeasement | Hold still and let the dog decide. Do not lure it closer. | CattleDog Publishing, Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (2022); VCA, Canine Communication |
| Ears pulled back and flattened | A subtle fear sign (CattleDog Publishing); anxious (Penn Vet). Ears pinned tightly to the head are higher on VCA's escalation list. Relaxed ears may also sit back a little, so read the face and body. | Stress or appeasement | Add distance from whatever the dog is looking at or avoiding. | CattleDog Publishing, Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (2022); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); VCA, Aggression in Dogs |
| Closed mouth with the corners pulled back (a long lip) | A fearful or tense dog (ASPCApro). Penn Vet pairs it with ears back as anxiety. | Stress or appeasement | Lower the pressure: step back, stop handling, or end the session. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Rapid panting when not hot and not after exercise | Stress, especially with a tight mouth (ASPCApro). Penn Vet adds that it may also mean pain. | Stress or appeasement | Move to a quieter, cooler place. If it keeps happening with no clear trigger, ask your veterinarian. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Panting dog suddenly closes its mouth | Rising stress in response to something nearby (ASPCApro). | Stress or appeasement | Look where the dog is looking. Add distance from it. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF) |
| Drooling with no food present | Can mean extreme fear or stress (ASPCApro). | Stress or appeasement | End the situation and leave if you can. Note it for your veterinarian. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF) |
| Sudden shedding, dandruff, or wet paw prints on the floor | A frightened or stressed dog may shed more and sweat through its paws (ASPCApro). | Stress or appeasement | Note where it happened, often the veterinary clinic or the car. Plan shorter, easier visits there. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); ASPCApro, body language tips |
| Stiff body, rapid tense wag, dilated pupils, panting, high-pitched noise; jumping, nipping, spinning | High arousal (ASPCApro): a state of strong excitement or alarm. Arousal can be excitement or distress, and VCA notes bites are most likely when arousal is high. | Stress (arousal) | Pause the activity. Lower the energy, add distance, and give a break before you continue. | ASPCApro, body language tips; VCA, Aggression in Dogs |
| Whale eye: the white of the eye shows as the dog looks sideways | Threatened, stressed or frightened (ASPCApro); seen with fear and aggression (CattleDog Publishing). | Warning | Stop touching or approaching. Back away slowly and give the dog an exit. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); CattleDog Publishing, Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (2022) |
| Crouches, creeps, lowers the body; leans away | Fear (ASPCApro). Rungs five and six of the PDSA ladder; on VCA's escalation list with a tucked tail. | Warning | Stop advancing. Increase distance until the dog stands normally. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication; VCA, Aggression in Dogs |
| Tail tucked under the body | Fear (ASPCApro); anxiety (CattleDog Publishing). Penn Vet: frightened, and could become aggressive. | Warning | End the situation. Do not reach for the dog; let it retreat. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); CattleDog Publishing, Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (2022); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Lies on its side or back, still and stiff, head turned away | Penn Vet: overwhelmed, wants you to go away, and may be aggressive if reached for; not a sign of submission. VCA says a "submissive" dog can still bite. | Warning | Stop and step back. Do not reach for the belly. | Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); VCA, Canine Communication; PDSA, canine ladder of communication |
| Freezes; the body goes still and stiff | Penn Vet: fearful, and may bite if the interaction continues. Stiffening sits just below the growl on the PDSA ladder and on VCA's escalation list. | Warning | Stop what you are doing. Move your hands away, step back slowly, and give the dog a way out. | Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication; VCA, Aggression in Dogs; ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF) |
| Hard stare: direct, fixed eye contact | VCA calls a direct stare the subtlest assertive signal. Penn Vet: usually an attempt to stop an approach or interaction. | Warning | Stop approaching. Look away, turn sideways, and increase distance. | VCA, Canine Communication; Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication |
| Tail high and stiff, with short, rapid movements | High arousal, tension or possible aggression (ASPCApro). VCA describes a rapidly moving raised tail as part of escalating assertive signals. | Warning | Do not approach. Interrupt calmly and move the dog away. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); ASPCApro, body language tips; VCA, Canine Communication |
| Raised hackles (hair standing up along the back) | Sources differ in emphasis. ASPCApro and VCA say hackles show arousal or upset, not necessarily aggression. Penn Vet reads them as fight-or-flight: frightened or threatened. CattleDog Publishing lists them as a subtle fear sign. All agree the dog is highly aroused. | Arousal | Treat it as a reason to add distance, not as proof of aggression. Read the face and body. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); ASPCApro, body language tips; VCA, Canine Communication; Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); CattleDog Publishing, Understanding Your Dog's Body Language (2022) |
| Wrinkled muzzle; lips lifted to show the front teeth | A clear warning (ASPCApro). Penn Vet: the dog is about to snap or bite. | Warning | Stop at once. Back away without staring. Take away the reason, if safe, only after the dog has moved off. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Growl | A warning to keep. Penn Vet says teaching a dog not to growl can produce a dog that snaps or bites with no warning. PDSA says not to punish a growl. VCA says not to confront or scold. A play growl during tug looks happy and engaged (Penn Vet). | Warning | Stop what you are doing and move away. Do not scold. Write down what happened just before, and call your veterinarian. | Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication; VCA, Aggression in Dogs |
| Snap (a bite with no contact or a quick inhibited strike) | VCA calls the snap a final warning. The dog wants the interaction to stop (Penn Vet). | Over threshold | End the interaction. Use management (gates, leash, separate rooms). Call your veterinarian, then a veterinary behaviorist or credentialed behavior consultant. | VCA, Canine Communication; Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); PDSA, canine ladder of communication |
| Bite | The top of the PDSA ladder. VCA says bites are more likely when earlier signals were ignored or warnings were punished. | Over threshold | Separate safely. For a person, wash the wound and see a physician. Call your veterinarian, then a veterinary behaviorist or credentialed behavior consultant. | PDSA, canine ladder of communication; VCA, Aggression in Dogs |
| Play bow: front end down, rear end up | An invitation to play (ASPCApro, Penn Vet). | Play | Let play go on if both dogs are loose and taking turns. Watch for pauses. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Loose, wiggly, bouncy movement; exaggerated face and body | Play (ASPCApro). | Play | Let it continue. A dog that turns stiff or slow is leaving the game (see the stress rows). | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); ASPCApro, body language tips |
| Brief pauses during play | ASPCApro describes healthy play with brief pauses. ASPCA's introduction guide advises calling dogs apart now and then and rewarding them. Penn Vet says a dog that turns nippy may be uncomfortable with the playmate or the roughness. | Play | If play runs on with no pauses or turns nippy, call the dogs apart for a short break and reward each one. | ASPCApro, Canine Body Language (PDF); ASPCA, Introducing Dogs to Each Other; Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Two dogs greet with a sniff, then circle or bow | A normal dog-to-dog greeting (ASPCA). Raised hackles, prolonged stares, a stiff-legged walk or growling mean tension (ASPCA, Humane World for Animals). | Greeting | Keep leashes slack and the first meeting short. At signs of tension, call the dogs apart calmly; ASPCA warns that pulling the leash tight can make things worse. | ASPCA, Introducing Dogs to Each Other; Humane World for Animals, introducing dogs |
| Person meets a dog: ask the owner, then let the dog come to you | Yin says to ask the owner first, since the owner may know how the dog feels about strangers and children. She says to stand outside the dog's space, not stare or lean, and offer the back of a closed hand a little way out. Penn Vet says reaching toward a dog so it can sniff your hand is not wise with a fearful dog. Both agree the dog decides. | Greeting (people) | Ask first. Then stand sideways, outside the dog's space, and wait. If the dog yawns, turns or moves away, Yin says to admire it from a distance. | CattleDog Publishing, Sophia Yin on greeting dogs (2009); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Person meets a dog: side approach, no reaching over | Penn Vet: dogs are often frightened by direct approach, eye contact, bending over them or reaching for them; approach from the side or on a diagonal. | Greeting (people) | Approach on a curve or from the side. Keep hands low. If the dog approaches relaxed, Yin suggests petting under the chin first. | Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF); CattleDog Publishing, Sophia Yin on greeting dogs (2009) |
| Person meets a dog: no hugging, kissing or face-to-face greeting | Yin warns against hugging an unfamiliar dog. Penn Vet says many dogs do not enjoy hugs and may bite when a face comes close. | Greeting (people) | Teach children and visitors to pet the side of the body briefly, then stop and see if the dog asks for more. | CattleDog Publishing, Sophia Yin on greeting dogs (2009); Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
| Dog on a leash, in a crate, behind a fence or held in arms | Penn Vet: such a dog may feel trapped and may be aggressive to people or dogs that approach. | Greeting (people) | Do not greet through a barrier or reach toward a held dog. Let the dog come out or come down first. | Penn Vet, Dog Body Language Basics (PDF) |
Pictures
Signals are easier to learn from pictures. We link these and do not copy them.
- CattleDog Publishing poster downloads: free printable posters from Sophia Yin's work, including "Body Language of Fear in Dogs" and "How To Greet A Dog".
- iSpeakDog body language gallery: labeled photos of relaxed and distressed faces and bodies, play, and barking. The site names no author, so we use it for pictures only.
- Fear Free Happy Homes, Dog Body Language 101: a short video on spotting early signs of fear, anxiety and stress.
Using the table
Fictional example
Rosie is a terrier mix, about 3 years old and 22 lb, ten days home with Priya in a city apartment. On a morning walk a dog appears across the street. Priya uses the table.
Known (what Priya saw): Rosie stops sniffing and stares at the dog. Her mouth closes, her body goes stiff and her tail rises. These are the hard stare, sudden mouth close and stiff-tail rows: warning, with a stress sign first.
What she did: The "What to do now" column says to add distance and give an exit. Priya turns and walks Rosie back the way they came until Rosie sniffs the ground again, then notes the spot and the distance on the observations sheet.
Assumed: that the distance where Rosie sniffed again is roughly her threshold for a dog across a street. It is Priya's assumption from one walk.
Open: whether the lunging Rosie has shown on leash is fear or frustration. The table cannot settle that. A credentialed behavior consultant settles it, and Priya is finding one through the route in Read your dog.