In order to interact with your dog in a correct and complete manner, it is necessary to understand some of its most important communication signals.

Signals

This is because they often provide clear information about the state of mind of our four-legged companion. For example, a raised tail indicates confidence and assertiveness, while a low tail indicates shyness, and even if the dog keeps its hind legs between its paws, this indicates that the animal is in a fearful situation. Dogs have a varied vocabulary of gestures – performed with their ears, tail, but also with their front legs, tongue, nose and facial muscles – and use these for an infinite number of expressions: facilitating a friendly encounter by calming the other party, trying to appease in a conflict situation, emphasising its strength and rank, interrupting interaction in a problematic situation, showing dissatisfaction or, conversely, satisfaction, inviting a playmate. Even posture, for example standing upright instead of sitting hunched over or standing on all fours instead of lying on its side, can express countless meanings, as can movement, such as speed, meeting point, the choreography of behaviour, which can tell us clearly about the dog's condition. Unfortunately, we humans are accustomed to thinking that communication mainly means talking, and therefore we pay far too much attention to the vocalisations of the dog, but completely ignore the body language of our beloved four-legged friend.