Unlike humans who use their voice to communicate their needs, dogs use mostly body language. Some body language cues to look out for and keep in mind are:
Tail:
- Loose/slightly wagging, neutral tail position = relaxed
- Low tail wag = nervous
- Raised, and tightly held tail = on alert/anxious/insecure
- Tail tucked under belly = distressed
Ears:
- Neutral position relative to the dog breed = happy and relaxed
- Tight against the head, or flat = nervous, distressed
Face:
- Constant licking of lips or yawning = anxious
- Baring teeth and growling = anger
- Neutral position relative to breed = relaxed
Eyes:
- Eyes appearing larger than normal (white parts of the eye are very visible) = unhappy, scared, nervous
- Non-blinking, hard stare = do not approach me
Also, keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to ask the dog’s owner if their dog has any particular body cues that you may need to be aware of.