If you want to communicate better with your dog, you need to understand the meaning expressed by certain behaviors. Although some dog actions are similar to humans, the meanings might be entirely different. So many times, you cannot fully think from our own perspective.

　　First, owners must be attentive and observe their dogs' habitual actions. Through observation, you will naturally understand which behaviors are common and which are abnormal. Just like each person is unique, each dog is also unique.

　　Learning to communicate with your dog can prevent problems from worsening. If you ignore signs of stress and unhappiness, the dog can become more depressed. This is a two-way understanding. Dogs also need to understand what your behaviors mean, so you should pay attention to your own posture and movements. Some forms of dog expression may be artificially restricted, for example dogs with docked tails or cropped ears, making certain emotions harder to detect.

　　Dogs will react to our eye contact. If a stranger stares directly at a dog, the dog may feel threatened. But when the owner makes eye contact, the dog may appear very relaxed. Understand the dog's basic social habits. Dogs are pack animals with an inherent sense of hierarchy, and their behaviors relate to their status within the group.

　　So we must distinguish whether their actions are about dominance, submission, or challenge to better understand and respond. Do not let your dog think it is the leader; establish your position firmly, and have a balance of rewards and punishments. You can't always indulge them in everything.

　　Rolling around and showing the belly indicates respect; you can scratch their belly to increase their sense of presence and attachment. Showing the belly may also mean resistance to a threat. Crouching can indicate submission or nervousness. Arching the back shows stress, especially when a timid dog is wary of a more aggressive animal. Arching the back is harder to handle because it can also mean dominance. You need to carefully discern the meaning of this action and prevent dogs from jumping up through training.

　　Other dominance behaviors include placing the head, chin, or paw on another dog's neck or shoulders. This may be accompanied by staring at the other dog or standing taller than them. Dogs also use their tails to indicate dominance or submission: a raised tail with a slight shake means it faces a challenge and is asserting dominance; a lowered tail wagging quickly is a sign of submission.

　　A raised tail represents confidence and excitement. Regularly observe your dog's behavior, guess the possible meaning, and respond accordingly, which can be very helpful for dog care.