How dogs read human behaviour

How dogs learn and why your behaviour matters

Dogs use their whole bodies to communicate messages to other dogs and humans. They can communicate through a range of channels including:

• Visual – through body movements both overt and subtle
• Auditory – vocalisations such as barking, growling, whining and howling
• Olfactory – chemical signalling poop, body odours and pheromones
• Tactile – physical contact.

The flexibility of dog communication also relies on dogs adapting to and learning how best to respond based on the behaviour and the body language that they are observing. This may be from another dog, or their favourite human, which is why your behaviour matters. Dogs learn by making associations, and through consequences. Generally speaking, dogs repeat behaviours that work out well for them, so if they find a behaviour rewarding or it has a good outcome, they’re more likely to do it again!

Remember, a reward for your dog can be anything that they enjoy or like. For example, things that dogs may find rewarding range from treats and verbal praise, to spending time on the sofa, or rolling in the garden. This may not always be what you would identify as a reward, and it may be something that you don’t want your dog to do or have. Keep this in mind when spending time with your dog and decoding what they are communicating with you.

Keep communication with your dog consistent

To help communicate effectively with our dogs, it’s important to be consistent with our expectations and interactions. This will help our dogs understand what it is expected of them and support them how to get it right.

You should be consistent with; rules around the home (such as whether they are allowed on the sofa or not), how the whole household responds and interacts with your dog, and positive training where there are consistent rewards for behaviours that you like.

If one member of your household always allows your dog up on the sofa or bed, one lets them up when invited and one never allows them up, this will get very confusing for your pup. This is why you should decide together what you are happy for your dog to do. You can set rules for around the home which are agreed upon with the whole household. Sticking these rules in clear view, such as on the fridge, can help keep everyone consistent, therefore building positive communication and expectations for your doggo.

Dogs can easily get confused and worried when rules change for reasons they don’t understand. For example, if they are normally allowed on a sofa, but are told off if they jump up when they have muddy paws. A solution for this could be teaching your dog a clear signal for when they are allowed on the sofa and when they’re not (our way of communicating with them). This could be putting a blanket on the sofa, to act as a visual signal, when they are allowed up. You can find out more information and a step-by-step guide on how to teach your dog to settle using a blanket on the Dogs Trust website.

Can dogs feel guilty?

Has your dog ever done something that you would prefer them not to? Perhaps they jumped on the sofa straight after a muddy walk or picked up your best slippers? Think back to what happened in this scenario. Did your behaviour, or your dog’s behaviour change in that moment?

Some owners might report seeing their dogs look ‘guilty’ and that they ‘know they have done wrong’. Common examples include after a dog has toileted in the house, or eaten some human food dropped onto the floor. The owner believes their dog fully understands that this behaviour is not allowed.

The behaviours reported when they think their dog looks ‘guilty’ may include:

• wide open eyes where the whites are showing
• the ears being held back
• hiding or retreating from the owner
• lowering their body with their tail tucked
• avoiding eye contact and turning their head or body away
• whining
• trying to climb up towards the owner’s face or engage them in tactile interaction

But does the dog actually feel guilt and understand that they have done something wrong?

No, guilt is likely to be a dog's response to their owner's behaviour. Studies have shown that dogs’ behavioural responses to owners, during times when owners perceive their dogs to have done something wrong, (such as being on the sofa with muddy paws or taking their owner’s best slippers) are learned responses that might help restore their owner to calmness. Due to a dog’s social ability to interpret their owner’s mood, dogs can pick up on the way their owner is holding themselves, or changes in breathing, as well as facial expressions and tone of voice.

So as humans, the way we speak, gesticulate, and act around our dogs really does matter!

Find out more about how to understand your dog’s body language.

If you are concerned about any of your dog’s behaviour, or have noticed any changes, seek professional support. Speak to your vet to check your dog is in good health. They can also refer you to an accredited trainer or behaviourist.

Find your local Dogs School to learn more about how to communicate with your dog, or to teach your old (or young) dog some new tricks!