Instructions
Watch your dog's face for calming signals, which suggest he is stressed or afraid, says dog trainer Stacy Braslau-Schneck. Look for panting, eye contact avoidance, yawning, ears back and excessive licking of lips and nose. These are all signals a dog sends to calm a would-be aggressor. A happy and confident dog has an erect head, ears up and a relaxed, slightly open mouth.
Look at your dog's posture. A lowered body, shaking and a lowered tail all suggest unease, fear or stress, according to the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. A tall stance and a relaxed, wagging tail signify a happy dog. A dog with its ears forward and its hackles raised is alert.
Think about your dog's behavior in relation to her body language. A fearful dog may show aggression if faced with a fight-or-flight situation in which flight is not an option, according to the Arizona Humane Society. An anxious dog might chew inappropriately to relieve stress. An alert dog may bark to make the presence of a stranger known. A protective dog may show signs of alertness and aggression if another animal or human comes too close to what he considers his property, which could be a bone, a toy or an owner.
Consult a professional animal behaviorist for extreme behavioral cases, such as separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety may panic, whine, shake and hold their heads and tails down and ears back while their owners prepare to leave. They may drool, chew or dig while they are left alone, and are overexcited upon their owners' return. Repeated aggression may require the help of a behaviorist, as it can easily lead to a bite. Consult a behaviorist for extreme guarding behavior that causes the dog to growl or snap when his owner attempts to take the desired object. If in doubt about your dog's behavior and body language, try just one session with a behaviorist for some answers and recommendations. Ask for references from previous clients to ensure that you choose a good, qualified behaviorist.
How to Understand Dog Behavior & Body Language
A dog's behavior is often baffling to its owner. Destructive chewing, digging, barking and whining are all normal behaviors in the canine world, but without an understanding of dog body language and behavior, it is difficult to understand why dogs do some of the things they do. Trained dog behavior experts study dog body language for a living and can offer insight and explanations on seemingly odd behaviors to confused owners. Studying dog body language helps owners understand their dogs without the need for an expensive one-on-one session with a behaviorist.