POPSUGAR asks Dr. Frione: How Do Dogs Communicate?

Popsugar reached out to Lakeside Animal Hospital’s Dr. Jennifer Frione to ask her how dogs communicate for an article titled, “What Dogs Want You to Know About Their Communication Style, According to 2 Vets.”

How do dogs show fear?

Dogs show fear in ways that intuitive pet owners have likely already experienced. “Fearful dogs often wag their tail from side to side very quickly, avoid eye contact, and may cower or lie down,” Dr. Osborne told POPSUGAR. “The ears may be slightly back, and [the dog may] pant excessively.” Dr. Jennifer Frione, veterinarian and owner of Lakeside Animal Hospital, added, “A few signs of fear are raised hackles, pinned ears, dilated pupils, lips curled, tail tucked under, body lowered to the floor, and [if the nose is] wrinkled.”

How do dogs communicate with one another?

Dogs communicate with each other through vocalization, which can include barks, growls, howls, whimpers, pants, and other signs, explained Dr. Frione. “They also communicate with other dogs through scent and pheromones released in different areas of their body like their tail and [through their] urine,” she said. “As squeamish as it may sound, urine sniffing is a major way of communicating between dogs.” Dr. Osborne adds about dogs’ communication with other animals: “Gustatory communication through scents and other smells and pheromones are also keys to canine communication.” This would make sense to anyone who’s had to tug their dog away from sniffing every single tree on their morning walk.

It’s important to note that some dog behaviour can easily be misinterpreted by us humans. Tail wagging is the best example, as not all wagging indicates pleasure. “[It’s] the speed and direction of the tail wags that are highly informative gestures as to how pups feel about the situation,” explained Dr. Osborne. “Wagging tails are not all equal. A dog whose body is stiff and is crouching, tail is lowered, and eyes are averted is probably not happy or friendly, regardless of his or her wagging tail.” Dr. Frione also said that some dogs, when excited, will smile. “That smile can get often misinterpreted as a snarl out of aggression,” she added, saying they may also growl in excitement instead of anger. Ultimately, knowing how to read your dog is key to understanding their communication style, so their signals are not misinterpreted.

Read the full article here or on the Popsugar website here. For more information on your pet and their communication style, contact us at Lakeside Animal Hospital.