05/21/2026
Your dog has been trying to talk to you — and most of us don't even know it. 🐾
We recently ran our Canine Communication seminar, and honestly? Even guardians who've had dogs their whole lives walked away seeing their dogs completely differently. That's not a knock on anyone — this stuff isn't taught, and it isn't obvious. But once you see it, you can't unsee it.
Here's a little taste of what calming signals actually look like in the real world:
THE YAWN
We yawn when we're tired. Dogs yawn when they're communicating. A big yawn — especially with the tongue — is one of the most common ways a dog tries to manage their own stress or bring the energy of a situation down. If your dog yawns when you raise your voice, when another dog approaches, or when something feels tense — that's not coincidence. That's communication.
THE LIP LICK / FLICK
A quick tongue to the nose is a calming signal. Not all lip licks are dramatic — sometimes it's just a tiny flick to the side that you'd miss if you blinked. Fun fact: most dogs do it when you put a camera in their face. They don't understand what that weird thing is in front of your face, so they try to calm themselves (and you) down. Now you'll see your dog's tongue in every photo and know exactly why. 😄
THE PAW LIFT
One paw hovering just off the ground is a signal worth knowing. It usually means uncertainty or low-level stress. It's one of the first signs that a dog isn't totally comfortable — and catching it early means you can step in before things escalate.
THE HEAD TURN
When a dog turns their head — or even their whole body — away from something, they're being respectful and de-escalating. It's calming. It's avoidance in the best possible sense. And when two dogs exchange head turns back and forth? That's a full conversation happening right in front of you.
MULTIPLE SIGNALS AT ONCE
Paw lift + head turn + tight face + squinty eyes + ears back — when you see a cluster of signals together, your dog is telling you they're uncomfortable and they could really use your help.
The big takeaway we always share: we don't live in a vacuum, and neither do our dogs. Everything in their environment affects them — other dogs, our energy, unfamiliar situations, the thing two rooms over. The more you can learn to read the room through your dog's eyes, the better equipped you are to advocate for them.
This is the kind of thing we love teaching — because it changes the relationship. Not just training, but genuine two-way communication.
If you're curious about our classes, seminars, or how we can support you and your dog, head to dawgtired.ca or drop us a message. We'd love to hear from you. 🐾
👇 Tell us in the comments — which of these signals does YOUR dog show most often?
