Your guide to decoding your dog’s behaviour

Last updated on 5th January, 2024 at 12:14 pm

Dogs are not only known as man’s best friend, but according to a study of dog DNA, they were the first animals domesticated by man. This bond goes back thousands of years, and it’s common for pet owners to want to understand their furry friends better in order to communicate more effectively and to avoid unwanted behaviour.

Reading time: 3 minutes

In this article you’ll learn:

• How to understand your dog’s behaviour better.
• What to do when your dog displays certain behaviour.

A dog that’s wagging its tail and licking you is clearly being friendly, while it’s easy to tell that a snarling dog is showing aggression. However, there are many other ways in which dogs try to communicate with us, using body language and vocalisation. Here are a few things that your dog could be trying to express to you through common behaviour:

Whining

A dog whines for various reasons including excitement – for example, when you pick up a leash and it knows that it’s time for a walk. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^® (ASPCA^®), they also whine to seek attention, when they’re lonely, bored, anxious or in pain. If your dog whines frequently or starts whining suddenly, take it to the vet to rule out illness or injury.

If you find yourself dealing with a pet health emergency, take these steps next.

“One of my client’s dogs began whining and howling frequently after the other family dog died. This behaviour was a result of separation anxiety and perhaps grief,” says animal behaviour consultant Anita Louw. “In a case like this, either behaviour therapy, medication or a combination of both can be helpful.”

Barking

According to the American Kennel Club, a dog can vary the pitch of [its] bark, the number of barks in a row, and the space between barks to change the bark’s meaning.

Higher pitched barking is often related to excitement or play, while a dog that is warning off intruders will lower the pitch of its bark. A dog may give a single bark when it is annoyed or surprised, while barking multiple times indicates that the dog is far more agitated (for example, when sounding the alarm that there is an intruder). A shorter space between barks also indicates more aggression.

If you’re planning to go away soon, ensure you’ve read this so that your pet stays safe.

Pooping or urinating in the house

There are various reasons a house-trained dog may begin to mess inside your home. These include gastrointestinal issues due to a change in diet, a food allergy or being given dog treats (or human food) that their stomach doesn’t agree with.

Health issues like parasites, or weaker muscle control in older dogs, can also be a factor. Besides health-related issues, male dogs sometimes engage in marking behaviour inside, and certain breeds (like Jack Russels) are more prone to lifting their legs to mark their territory. It’s best to have your male dogs neutered to avoid this, says Louw.

Tail wagging

While a wagging tail can signify that a dog is happy and friendly, it’s not always the case. Look at the body language that accompanies the wagging to understand what is being communicated. If a dog wags its tail slowly, it may be assessing a situation, and if the tail is low between its legs, it may be afraid.

A dog that barks fiercely while wagging its tail could be frustrated and shouldn’t be approached. However, a fiercely wagging tail combined with a relaxed body posture and a wiggling behind is a good sign that the dog is relaxed and happy to interact with you.