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Body Language & Communication terms
Reading dogs: body language, tail wagging, barking and other vocalisation, how dogs communicate with people and each other.
Calming signals Subtle behaviors such as yawning, turning away and sniffing that dogs are said to use to ease tension and avoid conflict. Dog body language The postures, faces and movements dogs use to communicate feelings and intentions without sound. Lip licking A quick tongue flick over the lips or nose that, outside mealtimes, often signals a dog is nervous or uncertain. Piloerection The raising of the hair along a dog's neck, shoulders and back, a sign of strong arousal rather than automatic aggression. Play Voluntary, energetic and usually social activity that dogs do for fun, including chasing, wrestling, tugging and bowing. Play bow A posture in which a dog lowers its front legs and chest while keeping its rear up, signalling an invitation to play. Stress signals Small changes in behavior, such as panting without heat, yawning, shaking off or a tucked tail, that show a dog is uneasy. Tail wagging A dog's tail movement, which signals arousal and emotion but does not mean a dog is friendly. Whale eye A look in which a dog turns its head away but keeps its eyes on something, showing a crescent of white, and is often uneasy.