Dogs are constantly communicating with us, telling us how they feel. We can use this information to better understand them and their state of mind in any moment. Dogs are experts at reading human body language, so it’s time to get up to par!

Three main stress signals given off by dogs can alert or warn you. The dog gives these signals to communicate that it needs space or distance from that person, animal, or thing it is confronted with. Using this information to know when a dog is becoming stressed can help him. You can respond by backing away, walking him or her away from the “scary” thing, or taking a break from grooming or any stressful event.

Most people can see and read dog body language very well. We are quite good at this with dogs that are not ours, and even non-pet owners can read canine body language well. The breakdown in communication is what these signals mean and translate to in human words. The dog’s 3 main stress signals will be explained, and soon you will be translating dog body language like a pro!

Trainers and behaviorists often call these “calming signals” — a term developed by Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas, who identified dozens of small behaviors dogs use to diffuse tension and communicate that they mean no harm. Lip licking, looking away, and paw raises are three of the most common, and once you know what to look for, you’ll start noticing them everywhere — on walks, at the vet, during play, even at home on the couch.

What it looks like: a dog licking his lips. It can be deceptive to us because it’s often interpreted as the dog being hungry or thirsty. The dog is telling you he is getting stressed — unless, of course, you are holding a dish of kibble! Stopping direct eye contact by looking away will communicate back that you acknowledge his stress and are showing no threat. If you were head-on with the dog, turn slightly to the side, as this is a less threatening posture.

What it looks like: the dog turns his entire head to the side, looking away from you or the “scary” person. Often accompanied by the Lip Lick, the Look Away is a classic canine communication signal.

Just because they are looking away does not mean they cannot see you — dogs have wider peripheral vision than we do, which allows them to see us even better. Often you can catch the eyes darting back toward you as the head remains looking away.

A socially appropriate response is to reciprocate the behavior, so go ahead and offer a look away in return. You cannot see the dog as well from the side, so don’t look away as far as to having the dog out of your sight — rather, glance away or down, tilting and relaxing your head and neck muscles. Soften and relax your gaze.

What it looks like: giving paw. Look for a Paw Raise in the next full-body photo of a dog you see — cameras close to a dog’s face often make them nervous enough to give one. The dog is not asking you to take his paw! Doing so would actually make him more uncomfortable. To show the dog you recognize and understand that he’s stressed, you can shift your weight to one leg, take a lazy or slouched posture, and Look Away.

Next time you are watching your dogs play or greet others, count how many Lip Licks, Look Aways, and Paw Raises your dog gives. After some practice watching two dogs play, notice which dog gives the stress signal first, and whether the other dog mirrors or reciprocates the communication signal. That’s a glimpse into the complex social world of our domestic canine companions!

Recognizing these signals is the easy part — knowing what to actually change in the moment (your body position, your dog’s environment, the pace of an interaction) is where most owners get stuck. As the American Kennel Club notes, the best way to help a stressed dog is to identify what’s triggering the behavior and either remove it or work with a professional to reduce the dog’s response to it over time — which is exactly why catching these signals early matters.

If you’re noticing these signals often in your own dog — not just once in a while, but as a regular pattern — it’s worth a closer look at what’s driving them and what training approach fits your dog best. Here at Appalachian Dog Training in Mills River, NC, our Behavior Evaluation starts with a simple questionnaire about your dog, and we follow up with our thoughts and a recommended training route, usually by email. For dogs whose stress shows up most around other dogs or new environments, our Training Classes are also a great, structured place to practice reading — and responding to — these signals together.

Now let’s go train!