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Reading your dog's body language

Your dog talks to you all day long – with their eyes, ears, tail and whole body. Here's how to learn their language.

Your dog can't speak, but they're still talking to you all the time: with their eyes, their ears, their tail and their whole posture. Once you learn to read this language a little, you'll understand your dog better and notice sooner when something is getting too much for them.

Always look at the whole dog

A single signal doesn't tell you much. A yawn can mean tiredness or tension, and a wagging tail doesn't automatically mean joy – first of all, it means excitement. So always look at the whole dog and at the situation: where are you right now, what just happened? Only together does it all add up to a reliable picture.

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Frequently asked questions

What is “Reading your dog's body language” about?

Your dog talks to you all day long – with their eyes, ears, tail and whole body. Here's how to learn their language. Your dog can't speak, but they're still talking to you all the time: with their eyes, their ears, their tail and their whole posture. Once you learn to read this language a little, you'll understand your dog better and notice sooner when something is getting too much for them.

What else is part of “Reading your dog's body language”?

A single signal doesn't tell you much. A yawn can mean tiredness or tension, and a wagging tail doesn't automatically mean joy – first of all, it means excitement. So always look at the whole dog and at the situation: where are you right now, what just happened? Only together does it all add up to a reliable picture.

Does the article “Reading your dog's body language” replace veterinary advice?

This article is no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY editorial team.

Who wrote “Reading your dog's body language”, and how up to date is the article?

The article comes from the DOGSY knowledge team and is written in plain language. Last updated: 9 July 2026.

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This article is no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY editorial team.