Happy and relaxed dogs are usually safe to approach, but always check with the owner if it’s a dog you’re not familiar with.
An anxious dog might become aggressive if they get scared. Give them time to relax and don’t overwhelm them with attention until they calm down. [2] X Research source It’s normal for dogs to feel anxious at the veterinarian’s office or in other locations they associate with being uncomfortable.
A playful dog might also bark, bounce around, and salivate happily. Play with them by throwing a ball or frisbee, or by running around the house together.
If a friendly dog approaches you, but it’s not your dog, ask the owner if the dog likes to be petted. It’s always safer to get permission that to assume that a dog wants to be touched.
A dog might become aggressive if it feels threatened. Avoid getting close to them, especially if they’re barking at you directly.
When possible, take your dog to a veterinarian to see if there’s anything you can do to help them feel better.
If it’s not your dog, ask the owner for help since it’s safer for a familiar person to approach an aggressive dog.
Dogs will also whine and cry when they want attention.
If your dog does something wrong, experts recommend avoiding punishments like yelling or displays of anger, since it can lead to increased anxiety and aggression in dogs. Instead of punishing dogs for bad behavior, try encouraging good behavior by rewarding them with treats, pets, and attention when they do things correctly.
If your dog swivels one or both of its ears back, they might be listening to noises coming from behind them.
Dogs have complicated courtship rituals. For instance, a female dog might put her ears back to avoid appearing confrontational, but that doesn’t automatically mean that she’ll accept a male dog’s advances.
Dogs also roll over when being submissive to other dogs. When this happens, dogs might nervously put their ears back and tuck their tails between their legs. [13] X Research source
