Reading Your Dog

Every interaction is a conversation once you know the cues. Dogs broadcast their emotional state continuously, yet most owners miss it.

When signals stack up, triage them. Answer requests for space first, before they harden into a freeze, a growl, or a snap. A single relaxed cue can wait; a cluster of stress cues cannot.

The rule of thumb: read the whole body, not one part. A wag means little until you check the eyes, mouth, and posture around it.