The Secret Language of Dogs: Understanding Their Signals Before It's Too Late

Dogs don't speak with words, but they communicate constantly through their bodies, postures, looks, and behaviors.

Knowing how to recognize these signals is essential for understanding their emotions, preventing tension... and avoiding bites. This universal language was wonderfully described by Norwegian specialist Turid Rugaas, who popularized the term "appeasement signals." These small actions are never trivial: they express discomfort, a need for calm, an attempt to reassure themselves or others. Knowing and recognizing these signals is therefore fundamental to the well-being of our dogs and to living together in harmony.

Dog Communication Signals

Les signaux d'apaisement et/ou de communication

Before any aggression, a dog sends a multitude of signals to express its discomfort or ask for a situation to calm down.

Among the most common:

• Licking lips without food

• Turn away or turn your head

• Yawn

• Blinking or looking away

• Stop or freeze

• Shake yourself as if after a shower

• Move away or distance yourself

• Get into a low position (fold your ears, tail)

These signals are often subtle and rapid .

They mostly show that the dog is trying to avoid conflict before it gets to "aggression."

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The Dog Aggression Scale

L'échelle de l'agression

When his signals are not understood or respected, the dog can gradually become tense .

We then speak of a scale of aggression : a succession of increasingly serious stages.

Here are the main steps:

1. Avoidance (Turns head away, yawns, licks nose)

2. Body warnings (walks away, ears back)

3. Stands flat with tail tucked in

4. Lies down, stiffens, stares

5. Growling, showing teeth

6. Inhibited bite (biting without squeezing hard, teeth chattering)

7. Serious bite

Important : The dog does not suddenly “lose his cool”.

He always warns beforehand … you just have to know how to read him!

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The link between signals and scale of aggression

The more you respect the dog's early signals , the less he needs to climb the ladder .

Ignoring or punishing a growling dog is a big mistake:

• This removes the warning ,

• but not negative emotion ,

• and causes the dog to go straight to biting without warning.

Correctly interpreting the signals therefore allows:

• to better understand your dog,

• to avoid conflicts,

• and to strengthen a relationship based on trust.

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In summary

A dog speaks with his body.

Knowing how to spot its signals means respecting its natural language... and living together in complete harmony.