How do Dogs “Speak” to Each Other?

Communication is the foundation of a dog's social behaviour. Dogs communicate by using their facial expressions, body language and sounds. There are various elements incorporated within this, which create the unique language dogs have. By learning more about how dogs communicate with each other, we can better understand how to communicate with them.

Eye Gaze

One way that dogs communicate is with their eyes. When a dog wants to threaten or warn another dog, they will engage in a direct eye-to-eye stare. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a dog will turn their eyes away from another dog (known as “avoidance”) by breaking off the eye contact. Blinking is another way of communicating to other dogs that they are not a threat.

Body Language

Most people might consider growling or barking to be the main way that dogs communicate with each other, it is actually with their body language that they mainly communicate. Researchers of dog body language, have discovered more than 30 signals that dogs give each other to show “calming signals”.

Some of these include:

• Licking
• Turning the head away from the other
• Walking slowly
• Play bowing
• Yawning
• Sitting down
• Wagging the tail
• Urinating
• Lying down

The position of the ears is also a way for dogs to communicate with each other.

Here are some examples of ear position and their meaning:

• Ears erect or positioned forward - the dog is on alert.
• Ears flat against the head, with teeth showing - the dog is ready to defend itself.
• Ears flat against the head, without teeth showing - the dog is stressed or anxious.
• Ears back and splayed - the dog is unsure/fearful.
• Ears that are flickering, indicate that the dog is unsure/fearful.

In order for us to fully read a dog's body language, we need to look at the dog as a whole. That means, looking at the entire body, in order to understand exactly what the dog is trying to say.

A dog who is relaxed and approachable, will have its ears up and mouth open, with the tongue slightly showing. The head will be high. The tail will look relaxed or wag playfully and the dog's weight will be positioned equally, between all four feet.

A dog that is alert will have a slightly different stance. In this case, the dog's ears will be forward and if they are trying to listen, the eyes will be wide and alert and the mouth closed.
 
The skin on the face will be smooth, the dog will not be snarling or baring its teeth. They will lean forward and the tail will move slowly, from side to side. A dog might take this stance, if they have detected something of interest, or something unknown. They could be trying to determine if there is a threat.

An aggressive dog will take a different stance. The ears will lean forward, the forehead and nose might look wrinkled and the mouth will curl into a snarl. The owner will see the dog's teeth and it might begin to growl. The legs will be stiff and the weight of the dog will be mostly on the front feet. The tail will remain in an upward position as will the hackles, the hair on the back of the dog's neck, will be raised. This is a clear indication that a dog will not hesitate to attack if it is challenged.

If you are looking at a dog that is aggressive, but fearful. They will take a different stance. The dog's ears will lay back on the head, and the body will lower. The dog will often put its tail between its legs and have its mouth open slightly.

Facial Expressions

There are a number of facial expressions that dogs use, in order to communicate. A dog might yawn to speak to another, or even to a human. Just like us, a dog yawns when it is tired, but they will also yawn when feeling stressed, or when encountering a dog that is more aggressive. A dog also will diffuse a stressful situation by turning its head away (avoidance) and

Snarling. This is when a dog pulls or curls its mouth to expose the teeth. This is a warning sign that the other dog, or human, should back down. A dog that has a 'smile' with the mouth pulled over the gums and teeth, is displaying a calming signal.

Verbal Communication

This is telling other dogs that they are done.

Dogs use vocalisation to communicate with other dogs and with humans. By four weeks old, the dog knows most of the vocalisations that it will use throughout its life. 

There are many types of barks that a dog might use, these can include the following:

Barking in a quick succession of three to four barks. Dogs use this bark as an alert, or that they might have sensed something, but are unsure if it is a threat.
Rapid barking, without stopping - Dogs use this bark to alert them of something.

Barking continuously, with a low tone. The dog is saying it is ready to defend itself and that it feels threatened.

A continuation of barks, that have a long interval in between. This indicates a dog is lonely and wants company.

Short, sharp barks, with a high pitch. This is a greeting bark and will stop when the dog works out if the other dog or human as friendly.

Single, short, low-range barks. Dogs use this when they are not happy. Mother dogs use this bark with their puppies.

Single, short, high-range barks. Dogs use this when they are startled or surprised.

Stuttered bark. Used by dogs to initiate play.

Bark that rises in pitch or tone. This is used by dogs to indicate they are having fun, or when play-fighting.

Dogs also have a number of different growls.

Here are some of the growl sounds that you might hear a dog make:

• Soft, low growl that sounds as if it is coming from the chest. This is used to threaten.
• Soft, low growl that comes from the mouth. This is a warning to back off.
• Low pitched growl-bark. This is a call for help or assistance.
• High pitched growl-bark. Indicating a dog is Frightened, but will defend, if necessary.
• Growl that changes pitch. The dog is afraid and will likely defend itself, or run away.
• Noisy, loud growl, with teeth hidden. This is usually used when dogs are playing, but you would need to look at the entire body, in order to be sure.Howling is another way that a dog will verbally communicate with others.
• Here are some of the most common howls and what they indicate:
• Yapping/Howling. The dog is lonely.
• General howling. The dog is letting a stranger know that they are in its territory.
• Bark-Howl.  This is usually indicated by two or three barks, followed by a long howl. A dog that does this is calling for companionship or is lonely.

Dogs can also whine and whimper. Most people think that this means a dog is sad, but it could mean a number of things:Soft whining and whimpering. The dog is scared of getting hurt, or is feeling anxious.

Low moan or whine. The dog is showing that they are excited, or anticipating something, such as a treat.
Single yelp or high-pitched bark. This can often mean a dog is in pain or fearful. Several yelps can mean the pain or fear is severe.

Lastly, a dog might sigh. This is an expression of the dog's emotions and usually happens when the dog is lying down. If the eyes are half-closed and the body relaxed, this means the dog is content and happy. If the eyes are open and the body is rigid, it often means that the dog is unhappy with something, such as an interaction or treat.

Licking and Sniffing

Some dogs will lick, to show affection, but they are also doing it for another reason - they want to taste and smell the odour of the other dog's face, or the human. Smell is one way that a dog recognises other dogs they may know. It is the same with humans.
There are several reasons why dogs lick each other and us:

Mothers lick their puppies to stimulate breathing and also to clean them

Our pets lick us out of affection and also because they're used to the taste and smell of our skin. They may also lick us through appeasement, to indicate that they are not comfortable or happy.

Dog saliva contains enzymes that kill off bacteria, dirt and dead skin and they use licking as a way to groom themselves. This is why dogs often try to lick an open wound.

Chronic licking can also signal boredom, anxiety or skin allergies. Constant licking of the paws can often highlight the presence of yeast.If you don't want your dog to lick you when you pet them, just leave the room when he or she licks you. This will teach them that constant licking is not acceptable. Azz Rainey has spent many years studying the methods of communication between dogs and humans. If you are unsure of what it is your own dog is trying to say to you, get in touch to book a one-to-one consultation.
Sessions are available in Oxfordshire, Gloucester, Swindon and the surrounding areas