Understanding Your Service Dog’s Body Language

Understanding Your Service Dog’s Body Language

America’s service dogs single-handedly save lives and enable people with disabilities to live fuller lives each and every day. If you have a service dog, you already recognize just how valuable your dog can be to your life in a wide variety of ways. While at work, he or she keeps a constant watch over you, ensuring that you get to live out your life with as much freedom as possible while staying safe. Even while off work and just relaxing at home, your precious pooch likely serves in a different capacity – as that of your best friend. Whether you’re at work or just at play, understanding your dog’s body language is crucial. At work, it can point out when he’s getting confused or overwhelmed, or when danger is nearby. At play, it can reveal when he wants to play, when he’s had enough, and when he needs your reassurance. Knowing those signals will not only make working together easier, but more pleasurable, too. That’s where this short guide comes in!

Anxiety

Anxiety manifests in service dogs in a variety of ways, all of which tend to be much more subtle than in the average family pet. If your dog is “on,” (meaning he’s at work), he may not show obvious signs of anxiety until the situation becomes critical. This, as backward as it seems, is actually a good thing; the best service dogs have to learn to stay calm in a wide range of situations. But that doesn’t mean your dog won’t show signs at all. When looking for signs of canine anxiety, use the look, listen, feel approach. Begin by looking at your dog; view his posture. Is he cowering, or crouching down low to the ground? Is his tail between his legs? Is he licking his lips, or does he have his mouth closed with his ears forward? These are all signs of intense focus and/or anxiety and may mean that your dog isn’t comfortable with the current situation. Next, listen to him carefully. Is he making low-pitched rumbling growls, or maybe the faintest whine? If so, that’s another check mark that shows he isn’t happy with something. Finally – and only if you’re sure it’s safe to do so – rest your hand on your service dog’s harness. Is he trembling or shaking? This is a sure-fire sign that he isn’t content. If you’re out and about, try to move away from the situation. If you’re at home, try to determine whether he’s signaling you or what he’s trying to tell you.

Happiness

You’ve just arrived home and it’s time to relax with your dog. Suddenly, he’s bouncing around. He lands at your feet with his head pointed down, and his tail pointed up. What’s he trying to tell you? The play bow is just one of the signs that your dog is happy and/or wants to play. If you’re in the prior situation or one like it, your pup likely sees arriving home after work or errands as a great time to let off some steam and unwind through play. If you can, spend some time enjoying a bit of tug-of-war or fetch with him – whatever methods you have for unwinding are fine. Other signs that your dog is content or happy include:
  • A relaxed face and soft, relaxed ears.
  • Tail wagging or side-swooshing.
  • Seeking love and attention from you.
  • Soft, relaxed eyes with the whites partially covered.
  • Appearing to be “smiling” (but not grimacing).
Remember: as with the other emotions, your service dog’s signs of happiness may not necessarily be as pronounced when he’s working as when he’s not. Nevertheless, these are still the most common signs of contentedness.

Aggression

It’s very likely that you’ll never find yourself in a situation where your service dog feels the need to be aggressive, either in his stance or in his communication. That’s because service dogs are carefully curated and trained to be naturally calm and reliable, even under pressure. That said, dogs are still dogs, and a chance meeting with another aggressive or intimidating dog or even a wild animal may afford you the chance to see these emotions first-hand. Signs of aggression are easy to see in the face; the lip my curl back or the nose may wrinkle upward. Very often, your dog will show its teeth. The fur along its spine, also known as the hackles, will frequently rise and stand on end – this is a natural evolutionary response that makes the dog look bigger, and therefore, more intimidating. Naturally, if your dog shows these signs, he’s telling you that he’s had enough of the situation and wants it to end. If it is possible to do so, move the both of you to a safe spot and reassess. If your dog suddenly shows signs of aggression when he or she has never done so before, either when at work or when at home, it’s best to see the vet as soon as you can. This may be a sign that your pooch is sick, experiencing pain, or struggling with a stress condition.

Stress

Stress can also manifest in a variety of ways in the working dog. Though anxiety and aggression can be considered stress conditions, a generally stressed-out dog who isn’t particularly anxious or aggressive may still demonstrate clear signs that he or she is experiencing displeasure. Just as it is with humans, a great many things can influence how your dog feels on any given day – extra-long and tiring work days, the weather, or even sore joints if your pup is older. Look for stress in your dog’s overall body first. A stressed-out dog will hold itself tensely and may seem to be slightly crouching when approached. He or she will frequently refuse to make eye contact with you, or may glance at you from the side. Frantically looking around at multiple points in the room when there are clear signs of fear or anger is another common symptom of stress, as is inappropriate voiding. Retreating from a handler can also point to stress, especially if you and your service dog are still getting to know one another. If this happens, don’t despair; some of this can come down to the awkwardness inherent in a new working relationship. A bit of extra bonding time and training sessions can frequently get this worked out. Look at your service dog’s eyes for the most common sign of stress; can you see the whites of his eyes all around the iris? If so, that’s a clear indicator that he or she needs to take a break and unwind. So, too, is sniffing repeatedly and loudly to clear the nose a sign that your dog is experiencing confusion or stress. Finally, sudden profuse drooling may also indicate stress, but may be tied to a health problem or dental issue as well – have your vet check to be sure. These are just a few of the many ways in which your service dog communicates with you. Working hand-in-hand with a trainer can help both of you to get to know one another even better. Once you’re used to each other, the working relationship and companionship will naturally improve right alongside your relationship. You’ll find that with a bit of dedication and love, your working dog becomes both your ally and your treasured family friend, too.  

Understanding Your Service Dog’s Body Language