Understanding Dog Body Language

How to Tell From Dog Body Language When They’re Overwhelmed, Happy, or Scared

Dogs don’t use language like we do but that doesn’t mean they aren’t speaking. They speak through their bodies: through posture, breath, tension, movement, tail position, and the look in their eyes.

As an ethical Shih Tzu breeder and somatic wellness practitioner, I’ve learned that understanding your dog’s body language is essential, not just for training, but for trust. Puppies often express discomfort long before they bark or growl. If we learn to notice the small cues, we can prevent overstimulation, build trust-based communication, and raise emotionally balanced dogs.

Just like humans, puppies have nervous systems. And they’re constantly signaling: “I’m safe,” “I’m unsure,” or “I’m overwhelmed.”

Your job is to listen, not with your ears, but with your eyes and heart.

The “Traffic Light” System of Dog Body Language

I often teach puppy parents to use a traffic light system when observing emotional states. It’s simple, effective, and helps you respond with confidence and compassion.

Green = Relaxed and Happy

• Loose body posture

• Tail wagging at mid-height (soft and wiggly)

• Soft eyes and relaxed jaw

• Play bows

• Willingly approaching people, dogs, or toys with curiosity

When you see these signs: engage, reward, and let play continue. Your pup feels safe and regulated.

Yellow = Unsure or Overstimulated

• Lip licking, yawning, sniffing the ground (stress displacement)

• “Freeze and stare” moments

• Whale eye (white of the eye showing)

• Turning head or body away

• Slow, stiff movements

This is your puppy saying: “I need a break.” Pause the interaction, offer distance, or redirect attention.

Red = Scared, Overwhelmed, or Defensive

• Ears pinned back, tail tucked tightly

• Cowering, shaking, hiding

• Backing away, growling, snapping, or lunging

This is a full body “no.” Step in. Remove the trigger. Do not punish, support them.

Reading the Whole Dog Body Language, Not Just the Tail

Many people assume a wagging tail equals a happy dog. But context matters. A tight, high tail wagging rapidly can mean agitation, not joy. Likewise, a low slow wag may signal hesitation, not sadness.

Here’s what to look at:

• Eyes: Soft and rounded = relaxed. Wide and intense = alert or scared.

• Ears: Neutral = calm. Pinned = fearful. Perked = alert.

• Mouth: Open and relaxed = happy. Closed tightly = stressed.

• Overall posture: Loose = comfort. Tight or frozen = anxiety.

Train your eyes to take in the whole picture, not just one feature.

Emotional States and Their Signs in Puppy Body Language

Overwhelmed or Stressed

• Panting when not hot

• Frantic play or “zoomies” followed by shutdown or hiding

• Excessive drooling or biting

• Avoiding eye contact or hiding behind you

These puppies need a break. They’re in sympathetic overdrive. Support them by reducing stimulation.

Confident and Curious

• Exploring with nose and eyes

• Soft tail wags, loose gait

• Willing to approach new people, places, or toys

• Engaging without clinginess

This is where learning and bonding happen! Gently guide and reinforce.

Fearful or Anxious

• Flattened ears, tucked tail

• Clinginess, hiding under furniture

• Shaking, refusing treats

• Moving away or refusing to walk

These pups need safety and reassurance, not exposure or force.

Puppy Body Language During Play

Play can look wild, but healthy play has rules. Watch for:

• Exaggerated, bouncy movements

• Back-and-forth roles (they take turns chasing and being chased)

• Frequent pauses or breaks

• Mouthing that stays soft

Step in if play becomes one-sided, too rough, or if a puppy tries to opt out and the others don’t stop.

As a breeder and yoga facilitator, I often observe how puppies co-regulate in group play. Healthy social learning comes with boundaries.

Touch Sensitivity and Consent Cues

Like humans, puppies need to give and receive consent in physical interactions. Here’s how to know:

• Leaning in, soft eyes, relaxed body = “Yes, I’m enjoying this.”

• Stiffening, head turning away, moving back = “No thanks.”

This is especially important when children or visitors want to handle puppies. Always model asking for permission and watching for signs of discomfort.

Never force a puppy to be held or petted if they’re backing away.

Tools for Puppy Body Language Observation

Want to get better at reading your puppy? Try these tools:

• Video your pup in slow motion during play or new environments. Watch for small shifts in ears, eyes, posture.

• Observe in multiple contexts: At home, at the vet, with strangers, on walks.

• Daily check-in game: Ask, “What’s my puppy saying right now?”

This builds your confidence and deepens your bond. Observation becomes a form of love.

When to Step In

Don’t wait for a puppy to “act out” before helping.

Step in if you see:

• Persistent yellow or red signals

• Avoidance behaviors

• Freezing or over-arousal

• A puppy trying to leave a situation and being blocked

Reduce stimulation, offer a quiet retreat, or guide them to a soothing activity like crate time, cuddles, or sniffy walks.

What Not to Do

• Ignore early warning signs

• Force interactions “to socialize them”

• Punish growling (growling is communication!)

• Laugh at fear signals because they look “cute”

You wouldn’t ignore a baby’s cry or laugh at a person flinching in fear. Let’s give puppies the same respect.

Connection Begins With Dog Body Language Observation

“The more you observe, the more they trust.”

Learning your puppy’s body language is like learning their native tongue. It’s not about dominance or obedience, it’s about communication, regulation, and co-regulation.

Every signal your puppy gives is an opportunity: to pause, to meet a need, to build safety. In my breeding program and grief-informed pet care, trust is everything. It starts with listening and ends with love.

Start today. Watch. Listen. Trust what you see.
Your puppy is speaking, you just have to learn how to hear them.

Written by Sabrina Steczko
Dog Wellness Advocate | Ethical Shih Tzu Breeder | Pet End-of-Life Doula | Trauma-Informed Grief Guide | Somatic Wellness Specialist