At Tilly & Ted, we know better than anyone how important your furry friend is; we firmly believe your pet deserves a seat at the table. So, we also know how hard it can be when you're not sure what your best friend is trying to say to you. From weird woofs, to unsociable behaviour, to drooping tails, we're here to translate what your pet might be trying to tell you.  

Read on below for our top tips to help you better connect with your dogs, however make sure to understand when your animal may be in danger. If your pet is displaying any behaviour associated with a medical emergency, such as extreme fatigue, overly aggressive behaviour, or refusal to eat or drink, please contact your local vets for advice immediately. Stay safe all you pawesome pals!

Woofs, barks, whines, and yelps

Every dog has a different voice: some dogs are quiet and only shout when they need something, others love to sing and shout about everything. It can be hard to know what every sound means exactly, especially if it's out of character for your pup. But there are some universal languages to help you understand what your dog may be trying to tell you.

Higher pitched whines, yelps, and yowls, can usually indicate a need for attention. This can be for a range of things, from pain, to anxiety, to just wanting to be involved. A lot can be gained from context clues: is your dog limping or lying down as well as whining, or are they howling along to the radio? Most dogs will give you more than one clue so be sure to take in the whole situation. If you are worried that your pup could be in pain, make sure to check them over thoroughly, and contact your local vet if you're still worried. What to do if you're not sure what the issue is? If there's no context clues to guide on you on how to help your floofy friend, perhaps try offering them different resources and activities to see how their behaviour changes. Take them for a walk, give them cuddles, or maybe even their favourite Tilly & Ted meal ( we recommend our Lamb Kebab meal for a tempting treat).

For the more low pitched growls, barks, and woofs, these can usually indicate a more direct telling sound: either they want you to be aware of something, or they want something to be aware of them. You can usually place a lot of friendly barks in this category, as most puppers just want to say hello to their best friends, and show you just how excited they are. They might be asking you to throw a ball, give them more pets, or to hurry up with serving them their Chicken Dinner. Their body language will usually also indicate this, from waggy tails, to perky ears, letting you know they have good intentions. However, if your dog is displaying more aggressive behaviours alongside a growl, such as staring and baring teeth, try to calm the situation by removing any threats or stimulants, such as other animals, and keep yourself within safe distance until the dog has calmed down. If you know your dog responds well to specific training, such as command phrases or positive reinforcement, use what you know to help your friend find their cool. What's most important is knowing your dog well and how they behave, so when their behaviour surprises you, you can assess the situation and make the best call for you and your top dog. 

Did you know that your pups perky ears tell you more than when they need a good scratch? Here's what they could be telling you:

Ear's up, down, and all around

Your dog's ear positions may seem like an easy call: ears up and they're listening, but they could be telling you more than that. 

For example, when a pup is laid down nonchalantly, but has their ears standing tall and to attention, they are probably reacting to the stimuli around them and just keeping an ear out. However, if they are growling or staring with perked ears, this may be more of a sign of aggression or overstimulation from your animal, and they may be trying to stay alert in case of a possible threat. As mentioned above, if your dog is displaying similar behaviour, look for the possible stimuli and try your best to remove the threat or your pup from the situation. Ensure you always keep yourself and those around you safe by being a responsible dog owner, and either keeping your dog on a lead, or keeping distance if you are worried.

When your dog's ears are more slicked back, they are usually resting, or ready to receive the best pets and scratches around. Reward your good boy with a much needed pat on the head. Much like above though, if your dogs downwards ear position is accompanied by aggressive behaviour, this could also be a sign that your pet is on the defence and is trying to tell you that. Once again, know what your pet needs to calm down, and keep yourselves safe and waggy.

We all know a waggy tail says your dog is happy, but should you be worried when the wag goes away?

Waggy tails and saggy tails

Waggy tails are a universal sign of a happy puppy. That excited wag from a good cuddle, the word 'walkies', or a delicious Beef Stew is an undeniable tell-all of a good time. If a dog's tail isn't wagging, it doesn't mean they're unhappy though, just that they are relaxed and happy in their space. 

When a tail is tucked down low between your pups legs, this is a little more worrying. This posture and behaviour can indicate that your animal is feeling threatened or nervous, and is a defensive habit for dogs. If your pet is displaying this behaviour, again, try your best to locate the source of their discomfort and calm the situation down. 

If their tail is high and alert, this may also be accompanied by alert ears and focussed eyes, as it can often be a sign that your dog is paying close attention. This is not always a negative stance, and if you are out and about your pup may simply have spotted something interesting, and their instincts are kicking in to tell you so. As always, if this is accompanied by other aggressive behaviours such as bared teeth or a low growl, look after yourself and your dog the best way you know how for your pup.

Now what does it mean if your dog is lying on their back, or is up and alert? Here's what we think:

Lying down, or up and about

A clear sign that your pup is telling you they're relaxed and comfortable around you, is them lying on their backs with their bellies out and proud. An exposed tummy is a sign of weakness in the wild, with the soft stomach being an easy target for attack. Therefore, by lying back and splaying their arms and legs, they're saying that they trust and love you enough to have their defences down and truly chill out. You may also notice trusting and comfortable dogs nuzzling you for pets and attention, or lying down next to you, so they can soak all the love and cuddles.

More defensive or nervous dogs may stay up on all fours and have tense muscles, keeping their legs tight and ready for action. This is a guarded position where they're trying to appear bigger and ready to respond. In situations like this, take your time with the pup in question, and move at their pace to keep both of you safe. Dogs can take time to be trusting around humans, especially if they're rescues, so be patient and learn how best your dog responds to your behaviours also. Check out our recent blog post on training your new puppy for more advice on how to look after and learn about your dog.

Your pups eyes may be SO cute, but are they trying to tell you something more than 'I want treats'?

Staring contests and avoiding eye contact

Eye contact can tell you a lot about what your dog may be thinking, so here's our thoughts on what their gaze is saying. A dog with relaxed eyes is usually telling you just that: they are relaxed and happy. Closing their eyes and showing content through their eyes is similar to humans, and they won't feel the need to keep alert eye contact if their defences are down. 

If your dogs eyes are larger and staring, accompanied with focussed body language, this is another sign that they are alert and ready to face a threat. If your pup adopts this behaviour when playing or cuddling with you, make sure to give them some space, as even the most docile dogs can panic if they feel threatened. Remember to look out for ease and rest within your four-legged friends eyes, ears, tail, posture, and vocals, to ensure your pup is happy and relaxed. Of course, every dog is different, and just because they have alert ears and eyes, it doesn't necessarily mean they're aggressive. Learn your waggy woofer's signs and tells by observing their behaviour in different situations, and becoming dog's best friend.

Now surely every dog can't resist a delicious meal, so should it be cause for alarm if your pup's turning their nose up?

Not in the mood for food

Don't panic, there are lots of reasons why your dog may seemingly be dieting. Of course, if your precious pup isn't eating at all, contact your local vets immediately, as it can be a sign of emergency. But if your pal is simply picking at their food, wanting to eat but refusing it once it's down, or only eating in certain situations, pay attention to what they could be saying. If you have other pets, your dog may feel like the runt of the litter, and may be afraid to dive in. If their tail is low and they're whining around your alpha dogs, maybe try feeding them in a separate area to keep them more comfortable. There may be stimuli that is making it hard for your pup to concentrate such as loud sounds, difficult textures, or it's just too hot. If you suspect this may be what they're trying to say, try feeding your dog from a different bowl, such as plastic instead of metal, or change the environment around the feeding area to be more relaxing.

Of course, sometimes your pooch develops a refined palate overnight, and demands something new and fresh. May we recommend our Turkey Loaf in this instance? Being packed full of superfoods and vibrant taste, this meal is sure to appeal to even the pickiest of pups. If your dog is apprehensive to change, try incorporating the new food by adding a small amount to your pets existing meals, and slowly increasing the amount day-by-day until the old food is all gone. Eventually, your pet will be scarfing down their delicious new meals with gusto. Hurray!

The key to understanding your doggy pal's behaviours and habits is all about observing them well, and knowing who they are. Most pups will display similar tells in similar situations, but knowing what your dog is trying to tell you comes easy when you know how they usually react. Keep an eye on your pawesome pal in daily life to know their likes, dislikes, waries, and wonders, so that you can keep each other safe and woof-tastic. 

Need similar advice on your cat? Check out our partner post about what your cat could be trying to tell you.

Sources

Hill's Pet

PetButler