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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWatch the whole dog and the situation, not one gesture. A dog that turns away, stiffens, freezes, growls, or tries to move away may be uncomfortable: stop approaching or touching and give it room. Body-language cues are possibilities, not a guaranteed reading of what a dog feels.
How to read a dog’s body language
Look for clusters of cues and changes in context. Individual dogs communicate differently, and the same movement can have different meanings. The ASPCA’s guidance on dog behavior describes fearful dogs as potentially crouching, lowering the head, licking their lips, tucking the tail, flattening the ears, yawning, staying still, turning away, or moving away. A dog may also show mixed signals, so no single feature establishes its emotional state.
Possible signs of stress or fear include looking away, lip-licking, yawning when not tired, a tucked tail, flattened or pinned ears, whale eye (when the whites of the eyes are visible), panting, and attempts to move away. Raised fur, barking, or a tense posture can also appear in threatening displays, but interpret them in context rather than treating them as a diagnosis. The American Kennel Club’s guide to dog body language notes that sudden freezing or rigidity can signal significant stress and warrants particular caution.
Why a wagging tail is not permission
A wagging tail alone does not mean a dog is friendly or wants to be touched. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) emphasizes that dogs are individuals: a wag may accompany happiness or play in one dog, and anxiety or nervousness in another. Consider the dog’s posture and the situation instead of relying on a tail movement, breed, or size to judge whether an approach is welcome.
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What to do when a dog may be uncomfortable
- Pause and observe. Give the dog time to respond. If it looks tense, avoids eye contact, turns away, or moves away, do not follow or insist on contact.
- Ask before approaching an unfamiliar dog. Get the handler’s permission before petting, then let the dog choose whether to engage. Permission from the handler does not oblige the dog to interact.
- Let resting and occupied dogs be. Do not reach over a dog or disturb it while it is sleeping, eating, or chewing.
- Respond to warnings by creating space. If the dog growls, freezes, stiffens, or tries to get away, stop touching or approaching. Calmly increase distance; do not crowd, corner, or test the dog.
How to respond to a growl
A growl is a warning to take seriously. It can communicate discomfort; it is not an invitation to see how close you can get. Stop the interaction and calmly give the dog space. Do not punish or challenge the warning in the moment, or keep doing the thing that prompted it. If this behavior recurs or is difficult to manage, seek individualized help from a qualified dog-behavior professional.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keeping children and dogs safer together
Children need active adult supervision around dogs. Teach them not to hug a dog, approach too quickly, or interrupt it while it sleeps, eats, or chews. They should also leave a dog alone if it turns away or moves away. The AVMA’s 2026 National Dog Bite Prevention Week statement highlights education and supervision as part of preventing bites. Reading signals helps people respond more thoughtfully, but it cannot predict every bite or guarantee safety.
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