The Face

Firstly lets look at each part of the face and then come back to this page to do the tests…

CLICK on each module below for the different parts of the FACE

EARS, EYES, MOUTH, NOSE

Do these dogs look Reactive?

Answer at the bottom

Question:

What can a lowered head mean? Answer at the bottom of the page…

What do these different face and body language signals tell you within the same breed of dog?

Answer video - Labrador body signals

The Head Tilt

a head tilt is such a sweet way of our dogs expressing curiosity, puzzlement, “i want that treat mum/dad”.

What is the difference between these two head tilts below and why? Answer video below.

Test

You can print the below picture and write under what each facial expression means. Or simply number the faces left to right and write your answers in a notebook.

Remember there can be more than one meaning. Video below with the answers.

Test Answers

Answer to the question above - are these dogs reactive? While in fact all of the pictures in the gallery show relaxed, happy, calm, and non-reactive dogs. How can we tell this?

All of these dogs are “reactive”. And do get triggered by other dogs into either aggression, defensiveness or hyperactivity.

The term reactive is often used incorrectly to label dogs as a personality trait. When in fact most reactive dogs are non-reactive 90% of the time as the pictures above show. These are happy dogs but not if they are in a situation which triggers them into reactivity and makes them feel unsafe. At these points in time of “reactivity” the facial and body language signals would be very very different indeed.

Answer to the question - what can a lowered head mean?

A lowered head can mean:

-I’m feeling uncomfortable

-Appeasing (sometimes referred to as submissive but we try to avoid this term if possible)

-Give me space

-I don’t feel well

-Avoidance

-Ready for attack