When dogs stretch as they see you, it's a "greeting stretch," signaling happiness, relaxation, and anticipation for interaction, like playtime or a walk, showing they feel safe and comfortable in your presence, not just shaking off stiffness from rest. This joyful gesture, sometimes a play bow, is a sincere way of saying "hello" and that they're ready for fun because you're home, acting as a positive social cue for affection.
🐾 When your dog stretches as they greet you, it's often called an “I love you” stretch. It's their way of saying they feel safe, happy, and totally comfortable with you.
The 'downward dog' stretch is usually a normal, healthy behaviour. It can signal a friendly greeting, help wake up muscles after rest, or show excitement before play.
In many cases, there may be a simple explanation as to why dogs sploot: it feels good. The position may be comfortable and even beneficial to your pet.
Stretching is a common, instinctive behavior in dogs and usually nothing to worry about. Dogs stretch if they want to play, or if they're bored and need more exercise. Excessive stretching can indicate joint pain. If stretching is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, call the vet immediately.
The Greeting Stretch
The dog's front legs are extended forward, their chest is close to the ground, and their rear end is raised. The dog's ears are relaxed, and they have a soft, 'welcoming look' in their eyes. This stretch is a clear sign of your dog's happiness and comfort around you.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
To say "I love you" in dog language, use soft eye contact, raise your eyebrows, give gentle massages (especially ears), lean into them, and engage in play or shared activities like walks, which build trust and affection through shared experiences and physical connection, releasing oxytocin for both of you.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
Introduction
"Silent killer" in dogs usually refers to deadly diseases that progress with few early symptoms, primarily Heartworm, Hemangiosarcoma (a type of cancer), and sometimes Leptospirosis or Canine Parvovirus, all characterized by vague initial signs, rapid progression, and severe organ damage, making prevention and early detection crucial.
9 Common Signs, Your Dog Imprinted on You.
Approach sideways and look using your peripheral vision. Avoid leaning over or towards dogs even when you change position to squat or get up. Avoid reaching your hand out for the dog to sniff. Let the dog approach at his own rate.
Also, it feels fantastic for him to stretch pushing against you, and it means your dog really feels safe and confident. Either way, (and probably a combination of both) this is a pretty warm and fuzzy moment for your dog and you.
Loose shoulders, soft eyes without a fixed gaze, and a dose of 'wiggliness' or pure 'flopped-outness' are all clues that your dog's feeling super chill. They're playful. A happy dog is more likely to want to play and leap around. Play “bows” are a great sign your dog is in the mood.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, treat(s) takes the top spot as our pooches' favourite word, having featured in 35% of all the videos analysed, followed closely by walk or walkies in second place (34%).
Obvious signs your dog might be stressed include:
Generally, dogs dislike hugs, not being allowed to sniff, a lack of routine, and more. Even the most laid-back dog will hate some of the things we humans do—if they tolerate it, it's just because they love you or don't want to be dominant.
In conclusion, dogs are sensitive creatures that can remember and react to raised voices. While they don't hold grudges, repeated negative experiences can impact their behavior and emotional well-being. Understanding your dog's emotional states and body language is crucial for building a strong and loving relationship.
Research suggests that dogs with a guilty look do not show evidence that they are aware of having engaged in misbehavior. One would not experience guilt if one were unaware that a crime had been committed.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
Signs Your Dog is Stressed and How to Relieve It
Cobbing in dogs is a gentle nibbling behavior, often with the front teeth, that resembles a person nibbling corn off a cob; it's usually a sign of affection, grooming, play, or a way to seek attention, but can also indicate boredom, anxiety, or stress, often seen in calm moments or as a self-soothing habit from puppyhood. While generally harmless and a form of social bonding or grooming, excessive cobbing might signal underlying issues like boredom, skin problems, or anxiety, requiring attention.