We all know that dogs are excellent communicators, but it is up to us, their trusted companions, to tune into what their behavior or body language is really saying and honor those sometimes subtle cues.

You may have seen someone point out displacement behaviors, calming signals, or stress signals when observing a dog, but what do those things mean?

Displacement behaviors are sometimes referred to as calming or stress signals and vice versa. You can spot them in virtually every "guilty" dog video on the internet as people commonly mistake these signals for a dog's way of saying, "I'm so sorry, hooman!" What those looks and postures are actually saying, however, is something closer to, "Oh, no! You're mad! Please don't hurt me!"

If your dog is displaying one or more of the behaviors listed below, stop and re-evaluate the situation. They may be feeling stressed or trying to avoid a conflict.

It is important to note that these behaviors can occur in any situation and may indicate stress/discomfort ranging from very minor to severe. They are generally only cause for concern when they present themselves outside of a normal context—you know your dog best.

Signs Your Dog Is Uncomfortable:

Nose/Lip Licking

You may notice some short, quick lip licks or "flicks" with or without the presence of food. Your dog may normally lick their lips when you reach for a treat, but if they begin licking (or flicking) their nose/lips as a loud child approaches quickly, your dog is probably feeling anxious.

Scratching

Your dog may be stopping to scratch more than normal or in a moment that seems inopportune. Occasional scratching is not abnormal, but if you're out for a walk and your dog has become exceptionally "itchy" since your very chatty neighbor has reached her hand out to touch them repeatedly, they may be trying to say they're not so fond of her behavior.

Half-moon/Whale Eyes

This is where your dogs eyes widen or are turned so that the whites are visible, giving the appearance of a half/crescent moon. Unless your dog is in the middle of some goofy play, this is a good indicator that they are very uncomfortable with what is happening. You might see this in a dog who is being hugged and not enjoying it.

Averting the Eyes

From your dog's perspective—prolonged, hard, eye contact is threatening; so, naturally, most dogs aim to avoid that (we should do the same for them). But what about when it is obvious that your dog is trying to avoid looking at you, another dog, or something else? Your dog is most likely trying to avoid a potential conflict or something that makes them feel nervous.

Shaking Off

We're not talking about your dog shaking off 5 times when they're fresh out of the bath here. Dogs often do this calming "shake off" after an uncomfortable encounter or if they find something confusing or stressful.

Suddenly Sniffing The Ground

I see this happen most often in group training environments or play dates. There may be lots of interesting things around that your dog was previously interacting with or observing, but if the ground suddenly becomes SUPER interesting, your dog may need a break from the environment.

Yawning

If your dog is yawning when they shouldn't be tired, they may be feeling uncomfortable or anxious.

Raised Paw

This is one of those behaviors that may be cute or even helpful in some contexts, but it can also be an indicator that your dog is trying to self-handicap in order to appear non-threatening to whatever they're feeling threatened by.

Have you noticed your dog displaying any of these behaviors? Don't worry if you haven't. The more time you spend watching your dog's body language, the better you'll be at interpreting it!

Remember, you are your dog's best friend and their only advocate—never be afraid to remove your dog from a situation they find stressful.

Caitlyn