Decoding puppy behaviour

We all know this look, the heart-warming glance from a puppy when they soften their eyes and squint at you. While most of us rightly interpret this as a dog enjoying a particular activity (or wanting another treat), puppies' eyes can tell us so much more.

When a puppy is showing the whites of its eyes, or averting their gaze, it typically is a sign that they are scared, worried or anxious - this is commonly called ‘whale eye’.

A hard stare and a furrowed brow often mean that a puppy is stressed and about to react to someone or something. They might even growl to let you know they are feeling uncomfortable. If you do notice a puppy doing this, it is important to take note of its surroundings and try to work out what could be causing the distress, and let the owner know.

It is common knowledge that puppies use their tails to communicate. However, wagging tail isn't always a sign that a puppy is as happy. It all comes down to the side their tail is wagging. Quaranta et al (2007) have shown that a wag to the left can mean a dog is scared or feeling negative emotions, and may tighten up their body when this happens. The reason for this may be because the left side of the brain controls movement on the right side of the body and vice versa. A tucked tail is also a sign that a puppy is feeling unsure – it is thought that they are trying to hide by covering up their scent glands.