A Guide to Understand & Improving Your Dog's Behavior

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Has your family dog been acting up lately, or are you just interested in animal behavior? Either way, learning to recognize behaviors and communicate with your dog is good. If they start misbehaving, you won't have as much trouble correcting them. Here are a few things to keep in mind when communicating with your dog.

How Close Do They Stand to You?

In nature, dogs will congregate in packs and rarely leave each others' side. You may notice similar behavior in them after they've bonded with you at home. If a stranger comes over for a visit and your dog runs to your side, it means they are trying to protect you. Or, it could be a sign they're feeling anxious and worried about whoever came through the front door.

You can use physical contact while training your dog to show them you're the dominant member in the home too. When learning how to communicate with a dog, leash training can be quite effective. Although it may not be as direct as another dog nipping them on the ear, it's pretty clear to most dogs. Simply tugging on the leash can tell them it's time to stop whatever they're doing and start listening to you.

Are They Making Any Noise?

Sure, your dog may not be all that vocal, but you can still use sounds to communicate with them. Also, they will show you a lot by making noises, such as barks and growls. Most noises made by dogs are a response to a threat, or they may be playful. Listen to how your dog sounds when making noise and use that information to judge their mood. Your pup probably feels threatened if they are barking, growling, and snarling. Yet, a playful bark won't sound as aggressive, and it's a sign your dogs want to have fun.

Calming Down an Anxious Dog

You can speak to your dog in a calming voice to get them to calm down when anxious. If you've had a dog for a while, your voice will be soothing to them, especially if it's calm. However, you may need to discipline a rambunctious puppy from time to time. You should use a stern tone of voice, but don't yell at the dog a bunch. If you usually speak to your pup with a calm tone, they can tell the difference, and they will notice it right away.

Pay Attention to Their Arousal Levels

Humans rely mostly on verbal communication, and dogs communicate non-verbally. So, you must pay attention to their energy levels, body language, and behavior. For example, your dog might get excited whenever you tell them it's time to go on a walk. When they start acting hyper, another way to describe them is to say they have high arousal levels.

Most of the time, high arousal levels signify that your dog is feeling excited, or they may be anxious. Telling the difference between excitement and anxiety can be a little difficult. However, you can look at their body language to tell which one they feel. An anxious dog may cower down close to the floor, or they might start to bare their lips and expose teeth. On the other hand, an excited dog won't stay still, jumping around all over. Plus, they will let their tongues flop lazily to the side.

Look at Where They Focus Their Eyes

Usually, a dog doesn't look you in the eyes for long unless they are issuing a challenge. Use this technique to establish dominance when working with a disobedient pup. If you're trying to convince them to obey a command, lock eyes with them and don't break contact. Yet, you may want to back down if they begin showing signs of aggression, like baring teeth. If they are staring at you a ton but look away when you look at them, it's a sign of respect. You should want a dog to display this type of behavior, especially if you're training them.

How to Communicate With Your Dog Effectively

Animal communication is a fascinating topic, and you can spend a lifetime studying it. Use the tips in this guide to understand how and why your dog is acting a certain way. Then, you can respond to them more effectively, and they'll be even more enjoyable to have around.