Dog Body Language: How Doggies Gone Wild Reads Your Dog

At Doggies Gone Wild, our top priority is making sure we have a safe environment for the dogs to play in. We’re all experts here at reading dog body language. I can use the example of a wagging tail.

A fast wag can mean comfortable, happy. A slow wag can mean a little bit uncertain but curious. We might also see a raised, high tail. When it’s raised, it can mean dominant, challenging. You might see the dog’s body shift a little bit forward. They might appear to be standing tall. Lastly, everyone know the tail under the legs that can mean scared or uncertain.

Reading Dog Body Language

When reading a dog here at Doggies Gone Wild for the first time, it’s important to read the dog body language to see how fast we can approach them. A common misconception is putting your hand in front of their face so they can sniff you. A lot of people actually get bit that way. You may notice the dog may freeze up. They’ll growl, maybe raise their lips a little bit. It’s invading of their space.

So, really, you want them to approach you. You want to be more submissive, get down to their level, let them come to you. And then, once they come to you, they sniff you, they relax a little bit, you can start with the petting. Never start with the top of the head. It can mean dominant. Also, when you approach them, never look them in the eye. Looking in the eye can be challenging. When you smile, if you smile at them, it’s actually baring your teeth in dog language. Then once they’re comfortable, you can start petting them, normally at the chest. From there, as they start relaxing and you can see that they’re enjoying it, you can start working your way up.

Want your dog to have a safe, happy environment? Bring them in to the dog body language experts at Doggies Gone Wild. Contact us today.