Dog Behaviour: Reflections of an Inner State

Dogs are wonderfully honest beings.

What they feel on the inside is usually written all over their body! We just have to know how to look!

When a dog is in a calm, safe environment, you’ll see relaxed muscles, soft eyes, a gentle posture.

But if something stressful or scary happens, the dog’s inner state changes and so does the way they look on the outside. The same goes for joyful, exciting things too, but the posture change types vary.

A waggy tail, a bouncy step, a sparkly eye, these are all reflections of how a dog feels inside.

Here's how our dogs tell us that they are starting to feel uneasy.

First, the dog sees or hears something (we call this the trigger).

That trigger changes how the dog feels inside.

Then, that inner change shows up in the dog’s body language.

So, if you notice a change in a dog’s behaviour or posture, look at what they might be reacting to.

Where are they looking?

What’s just changed in the environment?

Noticing this sequence helps you start to understand how the dog’s emotional state has shifted and that’s a powerful skill.

Important Note

While many changes in behaviour are caused by something happening around the dog, that’s not always the case. Some changes come from inside.

A dog who’s in pain might move differently or seem more grumpy or withdrawn.

A dog with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (similar to dementia in humans) might act confused or behave unpredictably.

Even something like a poor diet can affect mood and energy levels.

That’s why it’s so important to look at the whole picture, not just the behaviour, but the dog’s health, comfort, and overall wellbeing. If you’re ever in doubt about a behaviour change, the first step should always be a check-up with your vet.

And if you’d like to explore these ideas in more depth, my book Inspiring Resilience in Fearful and Reactive Dogs goes into much more detail.

Shapes and Expressions

Before we start looking at how a dog moves, it’s helpful to start with the basics of body language: shapes and expressions.

The shape of a dog’s eyes, ears, mouth, and body posture can tell you so much.

Are the ears stiff or soft?

Are the eyes wide or gently squinting?

Is the body leaning forward or turned away?

Sadly, lots of people miss these subtle signs. They might not understand what their own dog is saying, or they approach unfamiliar dogs assuming they want to be patted. But the truth is, many dogs don’t want to be touched by strangers.

Context is Key

When you’re reading body language, it’s not just about the dog, it’s about context too.

For example, a dog might appear tense while gearing up to play.

Or they might do a bow that actually means, “I need space,” rather than “Let’s play.”

That’s why it’s important to look at the whole dog, in the moment, in their environment.

Watch how the dog is holding their body, but also consider what’s happening around them.

Is there a loud noise?

A new person?

Another dog?

The meaning of a posture or expression often depends on what’s going on at the time.

Start with Neutral

A great way to get better at reading your dog is to learn what they look like when they’re feeling neutral, that is, relaxed, not overly excited, anxious, or scared.

What does your dog look like when they’re just quietly existing in the room with you? Not playing, not reacting—just being.

Notice how their ears rest, how their tail hangs, how their eyes look.

That’s your dog’s neutral position and it’s your starting point. From there, any shift in posture, tension, or expression can give you clues about how they’re feeling and what’s changed around them.

If you work with dogs professionally, it’s also useful to learn the neutral posture of some of the common breeds you encounter.

Different breeds have different natural tail carriages, ear shapes, and facial structures, so understanding their normal helps you spot the subtle shifts when something’s changed.

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