Reading the Face

The loudest warnings are silent ones in the face and body. Whale eye — the white crescent showing at the side — means the dog is watching something it does not trust without turning its head.

Pinned-back ears, a tucked tail, or weight shifting onto the back legs all say the same thing: this dog is ready to retreat or defend. And a wagging tail is not a free pass. A stiff, fast wag on a rigid body is a warning, not a hello.