by Cyn Lee

Created on: September 11, 2009   Last Updated: November 22, 2011

People educated in the field of body language, such as psychologist and police officers,  will tell you body language can be a solid science when distinguishing emotional states. During interrogations and interviews body language experts look for certain eye and hand movements to detect nervousness from dishonesty or fear from guilt. Experts are trained to decipher human body language.  Dogs on the other hand, sense what you are feeling.  Dogs don't need instruction on what you're  feeling.  They just know. 

When voices get a tad loud, many dogs will leave the room  hoping your displeasure is not with them.  They have no idea why your fist is clinched or what caused the shocked look on you're face.  All they know is you're feeling something and now they are heightened by  it.  If you're afraid, your dog will be afraid.    Your body language emits fear and without being aware of it,  as your body  began to huddle inward,  your dog's reaction may be to lunge outward towards what has scared you.  Your pet just wants to protect you.  Although some dogs just run behind your legs and hide.   Still, if your scared, they're scared.  

Because dogs feed 100% off your body language, it is very important to teach your dog the proper way to react to your reactions.  A neighbor is out walking his German Sheppard without a leash, (don't  you just hate that),   while you are walking your new puppy.  The much larger dog appears to be friendly however the size difference and the fact this is your new baby, force you into over drive.  You  pick  the dog up and begin walking fast in the opposite direction to avoid confrontation.  What you've done is avoid socialization.   Dogs need to be social with neighbors, other dogs, family and friends.  If not, they will become aggressive when they are confronted by those who come too close.

Some over- protected,  unsocialized dogs will show their fear through aggression. They will bark and attempt to bite anything or anyone who approaches you.  Dogs are the most loyal creature on Earth. When your body shutters and tightens with fear or surprise, your dog will definitely pick up on it and this will dictate his reaction.

If you're the kind of person who loses your temper by yelling and screaming, your dog will sense through your actions and body movement.  Even if you are not mad at the dog, he/she will tuck its tail down and high tail it out of sight before the yelling begins. Sensitive dogs will remain hidden til the commotion is over.  They feel and see your facial expressions and it hurts them to see you upset. Pets just know it's safer to stay hidden.

Body language can tell the story of a person's emotions. Tears show sadness, body tightness may be interpreted as fear or uncomfortableness and anger shows its ugly self with body shakes and quick movements. Some dogs live and learn by habit. They can tell by repetitive actions what is going on. They can smell the fear or unhappiness you're expressing. A good dog senses what you are feeling. Dogs are very intuitive that way. If you wave your arms like a lunatic, odds are your dog knows something is up. No matter what your body is saying, if people can pick up on what your emotions are, so can your dog.

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