This article on dog behavior will help you to interpret and understand why your dog does what he does.

The ancestor of the domestic dog, the wolf, developed a long time ago to be a co-operative pack hunter. Their bodies and brains, senses and abilities developed solely to serve this purpose and they developed behaviors which helped them thrive in a challenging environment.

These same behaviors and motivations still exist in the domestic dog.

Dog Behavior: Pack Mentality: As pack animals dogs naturally submit to a leader, most often their owner. They are most comfortable when they know their place within the pack. Dogs that are given mixed signals, for example when dominant behavior is sometimes tolerated, sometimes not, tend to be stressed.

Dog Behavior: Body Language: Dogs communicate using body language involving the tail, ears, body posture, eye contact and facial expression. A dog drooping its head and tail when scolded, for example, is indicating submission.

Dog Behavior: Territorial Aggressiveness: Dogs naturally protect what they see as their territory. This can include food, a favorite toy, and in extreme cases, even their owner or other humans of their pack.

Dog Behavior: Socialization: Play and socialization in wolf packs serves to cement relationships and hone hunting skills. This is why play between an owner and his dog is so important. Wolf packs also bond through participating in hunts and patrolling territory. This is simulated when you walk your dog.

Dog Behavior: Pursuit: A wolf’s instinct is to chase anything that moves because it is potential prey. Dog’s also show this instinct, chasing the neighbor’s cat, the mailman or a passing cyclist.

Dog Behavior: Fleeing: Given the choice of fight or flight most wild animals choose the later. Wolves (and dogs) are no different especially around loud, unknown noises like fireworks or thunder.

Dog Behavior: Vocalization: Wolves have a more limited vocabulary than dogs but still rely on howling or growling to communicate. The dog’s vocabulary includes barking and whining to express happiness, fear, anxiety, or to sound a warning.

Do you still need information as to how your puppy or dog is acting? Here’s a quick reference list of some typical dog behavior and how to recognize it.

Aggressive Behavior
Ears	Forward or back, close to head.
Eyes	Narrow or staring in a challenging way
Mouth & Teeth	Lips open, drawn back to expose teeth bared in a snarl. Possible jaw snapping.
Body	Tense. Upright. Hackles on neck up. Completely Dominant position.
Tail	Straight out from body. Fluffed up.
Vocalization	Snarl. Growl. Loud bark.
	Behavior: Before Flight
Ears	Back.
Eyes	Wide open. Possibly rolled back with whites showing.
Mouth & Teeth	Slightly opened mouth. Possible drooling.
Body	Tense. Shivering. Low, poised to run.
Tail	Low or between legs.
Vocalization	None. Possible yelp or whine.
	Behavior: Friendly
Ears	Perked-up.
Eyes	Wide open. Alert look.
Mouth & Teeth	Relaxed, possibly slightly open, “smiling” mouth.
Body	Normal posture. Still, or possible wiggling of whole rear end.
Tail	Up or out from body. Wagging.
Vocalization	Whimpering, yapping, or short, high bark.
	Behavior: Guarding
Ears	Perked-up. Forward.
Eyes	Wide open, alert.
Mouth & Teeth	Mouth slightly open, teeth bared. Snapping or gnashing of teeth.
Body	Tense. Rigid. Hackles up. Standing very tall in an aggressive or dominant stance.
Tail	Rigid. Held straight out from body. Sometimes fluffed.
Vocalization	Loud alert bark. Growl. Snarl.
	Behavior: Happy / Playful
Ears	Perked-up and forward, or relaxed.
Eyes	Wide open. Sparkly/merry-looking.
Mouth & Teeth	Mouth relaxed and slightly open, teeth covered. Excited panting.
Body	Relaxed, or front end lowered, rear end up in the air, wiggling in a play-bow. Excited bouncing and jumping up and down. Circling around and running forward and back in an invitation to play.
Tail	Wagging vigorously.
Vocalization	Excited barking. Soft play-growling.
	Behavior: Predatory
Ears	Alert. Held forward or backward to catch sounds.
Eyes	Wide open. Staring, focusing.
Mouth & Teeth	Mouth closed.
Body	Rigid. Low to ground, ready to spring forward. Quietly sniffing the air.
Tail	Straight and low.
Vocalization	None.
	Behavior: Subordinate/Submissive
Ears	Down, flattened against head.
Eyes	Narrowed to slits or wide open, whites showing.
Mouth & Teeth	Lips pulled way back from teeth in a “grin”. Nuzzling or licking other animal or person on face.
Body	Lowered to ground, front paw raised. Lying on back, belly up. Possible urine leaking/dribbling. Possible emptying of anal scent glands.
Tail	Down, between legs.
Vocalization	None, or low, worried whining. Possible yelping/whimpering in fear.