09/09/2025
Yes I am barking on again about understanding your dog’s body language, what I like to call "K9 Lingo” as it is one of the most important (and underrated) parts of building a solid, respectful relationship with your K9 buddy. Before jumping into training cues like "sit," "stay," or even "roll over," it is crucial to learn how your dog naturally communicates. Because here is the thing, dogs are always talking, the question is are you listening?
Dogs primarily speak through body language. Tail position, ear movement, eye shape, body posture, licking lips, yawning, turning their head away, these are all ways they express how they feel. Unlike humans, they don’t rely on words. So when we miss or misread these signals, it can lead to confusion, frustration, and even fear based behaviours.
Imagine trying to learn a new language in a foreign country, and every time you tried to communicate, people either ignored you or misunderstood you. That is what it feels like for so many of dogs.
One of the biggest struggles dogs face is being misunderstood by well meaning humans. A wagging tail does not always mean they are happy. A dog who rolls over might not be asking for belly rubs, they could be trying to appease or de-escalate a stressful situation. When we misinterpret these signals, we unintentionally ignore their boundaries, and that can damage trust. It’s not just about being a good K9 parent, it is about being a good listener in a silent language.
Teaching behaviours has its place but it’s not a shortcut to communication. In fact, teaching your K9 buddy becomes so much more effective when we first understand how our dogs express themselves naturally. When you can read your dog’s signals, you will know when they are feeling confident, overwhelmed, curious, anxious, or ready to learn, and when your dog feels seen and understood, they become more engaged, more cooperative, and more at ease in their world.
So before diving into so called training, take the time to become fluent in K9 Lingo. Watch your K9 buddy, learn to listen, and understand their comfort zones. Because when we get better at understanding their language, they don’t have to struggle to survive in our world they will thrive in it.
I am human, though my first language is K9 lingo yep I communicate better with dogs than I do humans 🤣 and I love it.
