7 Dog Body Language Signals You Might Be Misreading

A wagging tail doesn't always mean a happy dog—and a “guilty look” isn't proof of wrongdoing. Discover seven familiar dog body language signals that deserve a second look. In this Pet Clues video, we explore tail wagging, the guilty look, belly exposure, the dry shake, yawning, quick lip licking, and turning the head away. Learn why the whole body and the situation matter, and when pausing an interaction can give your dog more choice and space. We also look at Alexandra Horowitz's research on the “guilty look,” without treating it as proof that dogs can—or can't—feel guilt. Which signal will you look at differently now: the wagging tail, the belly, or the guilty face? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe to Pet Clues for more little signals worth noticing. CHAPTERS 0:00 The tail is only part of the story 0:27 1. The wagging tail 1:18 2. The guilty look 2:14 3. Showing their belly 2:59 4. The dry shake 3:50 5. Yawning 4:39 6. The quick lip lick 5:20 7. Turning their head away 5:55 Look at the whole dog SOURCES & FURTHER READING Dogs Trust — How to understand your dog's body language: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/un... Alexandra Horowitz (2009) — Disambiguating the “guilty look”: Salient prompts to a familiar dog behaviour: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2009.03.014 Stock footage and the dry-shake illustration are used to illustrate the discussion; they are not recordings of the study. If you notice a new or persistent change in your dog's behavior that concerns you, speak with your vet. #DogBodyLanguage #DogBehavior #PetClues