Dog Body Language Signals Owners Commonly Miss

Dogs use body language all the time. Lip licking, yawning, turning away with their heads, or freezing in place can be the initial stages of stress or discomfort in a dog, and this happens even before the onset of growling or snapping.

When the owners fail or disregard these signs, the dogs are left with no choice but to increase the level of communication. With the knowledge of body language, owners are in a position to take corrective measures before the development of behavior problems.

To effectively read these cues is to establish trust. If a dog understands that it is known and understood, it will feel secure—and for a dog to feel secure is for it to make good decisions.