Characteristic reaction

Body postures of dogs

Relaxed and approachable: the dog is content

Ears up, head high, mouth slightly open, tongue exposed, tail down and relaxed, weight on four feet

Alert: dog is interested in something out there

Eyes wide, ears forward to catch a sound, smooth nose and forehead, Posture slightly forward, horizontal tail that may move from side to side

Dominant aggressive

Forehead may have vertical wrinkles, nose wrinkled, teeth are bared, and corner of mouth is tightened, body forward, ears forward, hackles raised, tail raised and bristling, and wagging from side to side

Fearful and aggressive

Pupils dilated, ears back, nose wrinkled, lips slightly curled, corner of mouth pulled back, hackles raised, tail tucked, body lowered

Stressed and distressed: the dog is not submissive and may attack

Pupils dilated, ears back, nose wrinkled, corner of mouth pulled back, tail down, body lowered

Fearful and worried

Smooth forehead, ears back, licks at face of dominant dog, corner of mouth pulled back, paw raised, tail down, body lowered, footprints

Total submission

Smooth nose and forehead, ears flat and back, eyes partly closed, head turned to avoid direct eye contact, tail tucked, exposition of stomach and throat, a few drops of urine

Playfulness

Ears up, head high, mouth slightly open, tongue exposed, pupils dilated, forepaws lowered