Puppy Body Language

The more time I spend with my dogs, the more I think they are so much like humans.  Have you ever had to scold your dog for doing something wrong?  Do you notice how they act like children?  It's amazing how similar they can be.   And their body language says so much!

This is Max (left) with Bella.  The life of a dog is hard work!

I had to scold Max the other day because he is completely fascinated with toilet paper.  I keep rolls of it in baskets in my bathrooms.  He was inside playing with me one day when he decided to walk around the house.  After about five minutes of "quiet" I knew he was up to something.  I came into the sunroom to find shredded toilet paper all over my floor and in Max's mouth.  This was not the first time Max has done this, but he just couldn't help himself.  It is such fun to shred!  But when I said, "Max, naughty boy!" he knew he had done something wrong.  He put his head down, his ears down and his tail between his legs.   As upset as I was with him, I couldn't be too hard on him because he looked so pitiful.   I scolded him and put him outside for a bit to run and get some of that excess puppy energy out.   The photo above shows him after he ran himself ragged!

Interestingly enough, dog body language really says a lot about how they are feeling. For example:
Tail between the legs says "I'm afraid" or "I know I'm in trouble."
Ears down with the head down says "I know I'm in trouble."
Lying on their back with their four paws bent up says "I'm very comfortable."
Drooling says "I'm hungry."
Tail wagging says "I'm happy."

I'm sure there are many other things dogs do that convey how they are feeling.  These are just a few of the things I see with mine.   Pay attention to your dogs body language in different situations.  It's fascinating to learn what each position means.  Email your findings!