5 Communication Signals Your Dog Wants You to Learn

Even though dogs can’t talk, they are expert communicators! And over centuries of palling around with humans, they’ve become highly skilled at letting their two-legged friends know what’s on their mind. In fact, these nonverbal gestures, called referential signaling, are uncommon in most mammals besides great apes. So, it’s incredible to think that they’ve developed this skill just for life with us.

In this article, we’re going to talk about 5 of the most common signals that dogs use to communicate with humans. You’ve certainly seen some of these, but others may surprise you.

The show-and-tell
In observing the behavior of dogs interacting with their owners, researchers found that one of the most versatile and frequently used signals is something called gaze alteration. This is a behavior in which a dog will strategically place its body in the direction of the target object and then look from the object to the owner and back multiple times. You might have seen this when your dog wants you to pick up and throw the ball that they’ve placed in front of you. 

The gaze
A sustained gaze between dogs and humans is another form of nonverbal communication, and it’s one that dogs have evolved specifically to interact with us. Indeed, direct stares are uncommon in the animal world, and dogs use it in a very different way with other dogs than they do with humans.

So, what exactly do they want to tell us when they look so seriously into our eyes? There are a few different possibilities:

• I’m listening to you. A direct stare along with a head tilt is believed to be, in part, a social signal of engagement. Much like humans may nod or rest their chin on their fist to indicate that they’re listening, dogs may use a head tilt to say, “tell me more.” We say, in part, because a dog’s head tilt may also be a sign of cognitive processing. 
• I want something from you. Any dog owner who has eaten a meal with their furry friend in the room knows how to read this signal. It roughly translates to, “I am literally perishing from hunger. Please take pity on me and throw me a morsel of your food.”
• I love you. Research shows that both dogs and humans experience oxytocin-mediated social bonding when they look into each other’s eyes. This is the same process by which humans connect with infants or a romantic partner.

The huff
Ah, the huff. This sharp exhalation is akin to a teenager’s eye roll and sigh—a true sign of annoyance. Circumstances that may elicit a huff from your dog could include:

• Not giving them a treat fast enough
• Waking them from a nap
• It’s raining outside and your dog wants to go for a walk anyway
• No one will play with them
• You’ve been hugging them for too long (more on that later.)

Huffing is another versatile form of communication, and can also sometimes be used as a play invitation or sign of contentment.                                                                          

The nudge
Nose nudging is another form of referential signaling for dogs. In other words, the nudge itself isn’t intended to change their environment. Instead, it’s a way to communicate their intentions and desires. For instance, you may have noticed your dog nudging at a door that they can clearly open with a forceful enough shove. But, instead of barging through, they opt for a gentle nudge to invite you to open the door for them.

Dogs may also nudge at their empty dog bowl, at a toy that they want you to throw for them, or at your elbow when they want some attention. 

The redirect
Our fifth canine communication signal is actually a group of behaviors that your dog may use to say, “please give me space.” These are called redirect attempts, and they are non-confrontational gestures that your dog may use when they want you to stop petting or hugging them. Some common ones include:

• Lowering their gaze
• Head dips
• Sniffing something away from you
• Blinking or closing their eyes
• Leaning away
• Licking

Interestingly, dogs rely more on these behaviors with humans they are strongly bonded to than with strangers. What this suggests is that dogs may opt for the more “polite” signals with their loved ones than strategies used with people they have no relationship with, such as walking away, growling, or snapping.

How can you use these signals to better communicate with your pup?
As much as you may feel like you’re doing all the talking in your relationship with your dog, the truth is, they’re communicating with you just as frequently! Here are a few ways that you can use the back-and-forth to strengthen your bond:

• If you don’t like a certain communication signal, give your dog an alternative. Dogs will use the signals with the highest likelihood of success. So, if you don’t like that your dog scratches the door to be let out, consider ways that you can swap out that behavior for something else, like ringing a bell. 
• Take their distress signals seriously. Imagine how difficult it would be to live in a world in which no one attempted to understand what you were saying. To be sure, it can be annoying to listen to your dog whine, bark, and huff, but if you want the behavior to change, consider what it is that your dog is really asking for. It may be more attention, exercise, security or something else.
• Incorporate hand signals in your training. Researchers found that dogs respond more readily to hand signals than verbal cues. Better yet, use both!
• Find compromises. In general, dogs are more interested in negotiations than making demands. So, consider the ways that you can compromise with them. For instance, if your dog is whining for you to roll down the window in the car but you don’t want to expose them to the hazards of putting their head out the window, installing BreezeGuard Screens can be a win-win for both of you.
• Truly appreciate their skills. Overall, it’s amazing that dogs have evolved to be such effective communicators without being able to say a single word. So, celebrate their skills by tuning in and really listening to what they have to say. You’ll be amazed at what they have to tell you!