4 Common Dog Facial Expressions
Dogs can say so much simply by head movements and facial expressions. They rely more on postures and body language cues than barking to convey their moods. Let’s look at four common dog facial expressions and what they mean!
- Head Tilting – This is when a dog will turn their head to one side. The pose is relaxed but evokes curiosity. What your dog is trying to tell you from this facial expression is that they are “all ears” and fully focused on you. Some dogs tilt their heads to zero in on strange sounds to pinpoint its identity and location. Just keep in mind that uncontrolled head tilting can be due to medical issues like ear infections.
- Flattening the Ears – A dog pulled both ears tight against their head. This may be a common expression to convey fear or aggression.
- Eyebrow Raising – This is when a dog elevates one or both eyebrows while giving a wide-eye look. The dog may be taken by surprise (in a good way!). Furthermore, the dog may raise both eyebrows and widen their eyes in astonishment. Think of this facial expression as a canine version of a person walking into a surprise birthday party and having friends yell, “surprise!”.
- Head Bowing – The dog lowers his head while looking up at you in a non-threatening pose. Head bowing is the go-to posture that dogs employ when they are unsure of how a person will react to them. Dogs may also bow their heads in an act of submission to avoid a fight.
The next time your four-legged friend gives you one of these looks, pay close attention! They could be trying to tell you something important about how they are feeling. It pays to understand your dog’s body language!
