Learning to Read Canine Behavioral Cues

Quick question: What’s your go-to move at a party where you don’t know many people? Do you make a beeline for the one person you recognize? Walk right up to the loudest-laughing group and work your way into the conversation? Or do you go straight to the bar and chat up someone in line?

Maybe you do none of these because you don’t enjoy parties and rarely go.

Anyone who’s visited a dog park knows they can seem very much like a party. And just like us, different dogs approach them differently. Some dogs love the crowd and the energy; some warm up slowly, taking a few minutes at first to become adjusted; and some would rather just chill at their house. It makes no sense to expect every dog to be thrilled to hit the park for some off-leash play than it does to expect every human to be excited at the prospect of a party—especially one filled with new faces.

I’m a big fan of off-leash play. It’s a great way for dogs to have fun, exercise, and burn off energy. I recommend it for many of the dogs I work with, but first I try to help dogs and their owners understand how to manage off-leash play time safely and responsibly. One of the most important things I talk to owners about is reading canine body language.

Most of us can look at other humans and gauge how receptive they are to conversation. Guess what? You can do the same with your dog. By watching your dog in a variety of scenarios, you can learn to predict how they will behave when they’re off the leash.

For instance, a dog in the mood to play with others will have loose, wiggly body language. They would not be stiff or tense. Their gestures will seem playful, and they might be bouncing left to right or spinning in circles with big, exaggerated movements. They would not look like they’re trying to hide or run away from the situation. They’ll be curious about their environment rather than looking fearful.

If your dog seems bothered when you walk into a dog park together, she probably IS bothered! It’s unfair to expect a dog in that sort of mood to stay neutral when another dog tries to interact with them, so for everyone’s sake it might be best to find your recreation on a long walk together or in a solo game of fetch.

Dog parks aren’t the ideal way for your dog to be exercised, they aren’t for every dog, and even dogs who like dog parks sometimes just aren’t in the mood to socialize. Who can’t relate to that? Setting your dog up to succeed in the dog park can be as simple as recalibrating your expectations.

If you have questions or need help with your dog, reserve a complimentary consultation.