11 Ways Dogs Understand Our Movements And Body Language
Dogs are experts at reading human body language, often understanding us better than we realize. Here’s how they interpret our movements:
– Facial Expressions – Dogs recognize happiness, anger, and sadness based on our expressions.
– Eye Contact – Direct eye contact can signal affection or dominance, while avoiding it may show submission.
– Tone of Voice & Gestures – Dogs pair vocal tones with hand signals to understand commands better.
– Posture Awareness – Standing tall can indicate confidence, while slouching may show sadness or fatigue.
– Pointing & Directional Cues – Most dogs follow a pointed finger to find an object or direction.
– Leaning Toward or Away – Moving toward a dog signals engagement, while leaning away can show discomfort.
– Crossed Arms & Stiffness – A tense body suggests stress or frustration, which dogs quickly pick up on.
– Yawning & Blinking – Dogs mirror calming signals like yawning or slow blinking to show trust.
– Hand & Foot Movements – Sudden hand or foot gestures can indicate playfulness, danger, or commands.
– Walking Pace & Energy Levels – Dogs match their owners' speed and mood, sensing excitement or relaxation.
Touch & Physical Contact – Petting on different areas of the body sends various signals, from reassurance to dominance.