Behaviour & Body Language · Kinship

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behaviour

behaviour & body language

Tail wagging? Ear pinning? It all means something. We’ll show you how to understand your pet (and communicate with them) with guides to decode the weirdest body language and behaviour.

jack russell dog on lead barks at the camera
Rottweiler dog looking at camera

We know your dog is always the best in your eyes, but which breeds are stealing the nation’s hearts?

person with pink hair hugging a white dog

Autism in dogs is often misunderstood – our experts debunk the myths

Woman holding her puppy in her lap while he tries to bite her.

Those little teeth are sweet, but they definitely don’t feel good on your hand

Labrador dog wants to eat breakfast.

It's time to reframe the situation

Spaniel crinkling their nose

It might be very rare, but its still worth knowing about

Dog on their back looking at human's hand above them

It’s all fun and games... until it’s not

dog and person sleeping in bed

Is your dog overly clingy? Here’s how to help them build independence

picture of a pitbull cocking their head to the left

It’s not just ’cause its cute

a picture of a dog wearing an orange harness being held by the bottom half of a human male wearing running gear

Keen to hit the road and get fit with your pup? Read this first

Dog on a lead at dusk with a sunset in the background and a light-up collar

Gear up and get out there – even when it’s pitch black at 4pm

Woman walking a dog on a lead

Keeping your dog on a lead isn’t mean – sometimes, it’s the kindest choice



Cat and shepherd dog touching faces

Think cats and dogs are natural enemies? Think again

beagle dog sniffing grass

Fancy putting your dog’s nose to the test?

A woman walks along the pavement with a dog on a lead close to her

If your female dog is not spayed, it’s crucial that you understand their fertility cycle

a picture of a white poodle wearing a plastic recovery cone

If your pet is recovering from surgery and hates wearing a cone, don’t panic

a young woman wearing jeans and white headphones has a beagle on a lead

How to make sure you’re not missing any cues and that you both stay safe

Dog hiding under orange blanket

From calming supplements to creating safe spaces, here’s how you can prepare your pup for firework season

Young woman playing with a dog outdoors stock photo.

If you think your pup’s basically James Acaster, science backs you up

labrador sitting with crossed paws

It’s giving Lady Whistledown...

dog held in humans arms

Help your dog overcome the fear of the unknown

person holding a cockerpoo mix

Think Cockapoos are healthier because they’re crossbreeds? Learn what the latest research says

Picture of close up scared chihuahua in their bed

Rolling on their back doesn’t automatically mean they want belly rubs...

woman on a beach in greece petting a stray dog

Before you pet that stray dog on your holiday, find out how to protect yourself and still show compassion


XL bully puppy

The UK’s XL Bully ban has led to a tragic rise in cruelty cases

a dog stand nervously by the water on a dock

All dogs love cooling off by splashing about and swimming in water, right? So why does yours... not?

Small dog lays between woman's legs in the grass.

Four legs up to the ceiling might not seem like a comfy napping position to us but pups seem to love it. How come?

a close up picture of a beagle chewing a chew

Scientists from the Waltham Petcare Institute explain how one simple buy could help your nervous pup feel more comfortable by themselves

Dog playing with a ball

Got a distracted pup? Discover if it’s ADHD and how to help

Dog playing with orange ball toy at the beach on a sunny day

This body language is not as simple as you probably think

A black and white and brown jack russell lies spread eagled on the beach

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s your dog all stretched out like a frog

Dog hiding under bed

Is your dog scared of every little noise? Here’s how to turn the volume down on their anxiety

a group of friends pets a shiba inu dog

Is your dog too friendly with strangers or other dogs? Learn effective strategies to manage and train your overly sociable dog to ensure proper behaviour and safety

A woman  with cropped grey hair hugs a black dog. They are surrounded by rubble

From the dog that detected a deadly hair treatment to the search and rescue hero from the Turkish earthquake, meet the pups who gave humans a second chance at life

dogs running with a football

A well-enriched dog is a happy dog – and who wouldn’t want that?



A person walking a dog on a paved road in a park.

Your daily walks together are a special time for both you and your pup. Heres how to lower stresses and find more joy during your daily routine

a woman holding a chihuahua greets a great dane at the door

Can dogs tell the difference between a day, a week or a month?

Dog running on the beach

Think a holiday with your nervous pup is off-limits? You just need to make a few adjustments. Here’s how to have a dreamy trip that you and your anxious dog can enjoy

Gun dog in a field

Different breeds need different things...

Woman hugging her small white dog at home.

An animal behaviourist explains why they do (and don’t) get involved in the game

Golden retriever lying in grass with red eyes

Pet parents are being urged to keep their pets indoors during peak pollen times “until September”

Dog Parson Russell Terrier breed is playing in green park with his owner.

That’s not food, mate

A woman with brown hair sits on a sofa holding a grey cat while her Corgi sits next to her.

How can we best understand what’s going on in the minds of our cats and dogs? A neurology specialist veterinary nurse breaks it down

A dog looking timid in his bed

Tips for comforting your pup during a storm

picture of pit bull with cropped ears and bandages

There's no good reason to ever do this to your dog

A cute brown dog laying on a cushion looking sad or tired.

Blue is a good name for a dog – not a good mood

A woman wearing a knit sweater holding a dog close on the floor of her bedroom.

Train your dog to stay calm when they’re on their own – instead of sad-singing “All By Myself” until you come home.

A kitten and a puppy laying on the floor looking at each other.

There might be a language barrier, but these two animals can still become best buds

Golden retriever walking towards the camera with a pink rope toy in their mouth

It’s more than just an adorable habit… 



person playing tug with dog

Chase? Wrestle? Tug-o-war? Find out which are fair game

Brown, half breed dog sitting on a chair next to his owner, a blonde stylish woman wearing a brown smart suit.

Researchers say dogs actually have a pretty good sense of what we’re thinking

A woman walking 5 dogs on leashes outside.

A study found that a dog’s breed accounts for less than 10 percent of their behaviour

Man walking his dog on a pavement

We delve into the age-old debate

A woman sitting with her arms around two dogs in a park.

Breeders, judges and historians talk about breed standards – learn how they’re supposed to work and why they don’t

Woman hold a bowl and gives a water to her big white dog while sitting on her feet in courtyard of the residence.

Save some for later, hun!

A high contrast photo of a dog looking out of a screened window

Yep, your dog remembers that you didn’t take them out for a walk yesterday

Woman and her dog playing with a ball.

We already knew our pups were smart – and this study confirms it

Illustration of a woman hugging a dog

A study finds that your pup can tell – er, smell – when you’ve been doom-scrolling

Photo of a young woman working on her laptop from her home, while her dog is waiting for her to finish - so they can play and cuddle.

You love that your dog is your shadow, but maybe not when you’re on a Zoom call

black and white Corgi puppy eating out of a yellow dog bowl

It turns out the saying ‘you are what you eat’ isn’t just for humans

profile portrait of grumpy a ginger dog, inside on a golden retro velvet armchair

This study found that cranky pups are actually very fast social learners

Shot of an attractive young woman petting her dog while sitting on the sofa at home.

Beyond the fact that they’re your biggest admirer

dog wearing service dog tabard jumps up at girl with brown hair and tattoos

“A PAD can be life-changing – and even life saving”

action shot of a black and white Border Collie coming out of a tunnel section of a dog agility course at Crufts

And they all say the same simple thing…

Young man cuddling little white shih tzu puppy by the Atlantic Ocean.

The internet has a lot to tell you about your new addition. Here’s what’s actually true

a brown puppy and a dog of different ages sit with person on grass

You won’t live with a rambunctious goofy teenager forever

Pitbull puppy has a sad face and is in trouble.

Your pup doesn’t actually feel bad about eating your pizza

Dog sitting under a person's legs looking up.

All the reasons dogs go everywhere we go

Woman and her Dalmatian puppy look in the mirror at their reflections.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the cutest of them all?

Dog holding a toy and looking up at their owner

And should you be worried?

A cute Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog listening with a head tilt.

I’m baffled by the number of names I call my dog. Is my dog baffled, too?

fox on city street at night

What to do with a dog who gets rowdy near foxes? And is it even safe for my dog to be near them?

A spotted dog looking up.

Say what? A look at the types of words that dogs understand

a nervous dog sits on a sofa

At so many points in those first hours, weeks, months, I screamed, internally: what have we done? 

Shiba inu dog sneezing.

It’s adorable, but there are actual reasons behind the behaviour

A woman sitting on a floor resting her head on the edge of a couch watching her dog sleep nearby.

What to do when you don’t feel the close bond you want

Bodil Jane illustration, someone waters a garden with a brown dog in it

Your personality may actually have something to do with your pet’s personality

Man holds his fluffy white dog outside.

A new study scores dogs on behaviours such as how they responded when unfamiliar people visited or if they were jealous when their owner gave affection to another animal

a dog looking at a person holding multiple treats

A study found that dogs can process numbers in a similar fashion to their humans

white-and-black dog sleeping in crate

It’ll make life easier for both of you – eventually

Couple lies on the grass with their Malamut dog in the park

Meeting your new partner’s pet is an honour – winning them over is another story. Here are some tips for being friends with your significant other’s best animal pal

Woman lying on bed with dog, dog is looking up at the woman and licking her in the face

How many kisses is too many kisses?

Young smiling female owner sitting on leather chair and embracing cute beige Cocker Spaniel dog.

It’s normal to worry – but your pup might also need some space

dog with greying muzzle on sofa with person

And why stress could be to blame


a puppy sleeping with their eyes open

Dogs: they’re not just like us

You might already have a good idea of what your dog likes, but it‘s not always that straightforward

Dog Barking In Nature Next To Its Owner.

Two trainers advocate against using these devices – here’s why

Woman playing with her cat and dog.

Just a few things to keep in mind so everything goes smoothly as you all get adjusted

young man with black hair cuddling his beagle dog

Leaving your dog alone at home can be guilt-inducing... but it doesn’t have to be

Person with two small dogs that won't poop in snow

Snow days are fun – until your pup needs to do their thing outside

Black spaniel dog laying at her owners feet under the chair indoors.

Not that anyone’s complaining...

Russian Toy Terrier with ears back

Here‘s how your dog’s ears can clue you into how they’re feeling

Time to whip out The Notebook for a doggy movie night

Grey XL Bully looking up at camera

How to keep your dog happy and healthy under the new legislation

corgi puppy hiding under table afraid

The emotional road to recovery can be a long one. Heres what you can do

a woman in glasses smiles and sits cross-legged hugging a dog with a neckerchief

If you’re considering applying for an assistance dog, or you have a dog that assists you in your daily life, here’s everything you need to know

Portrait Of A Border Collie Dog.

If only there were a dog version of University Challenge

dog in snow wearing a coat

It’s not as simple as one universal temperature for all

dog bouncing on lead in the countryside with girl

There are plenty of ways to spice them up

Happy young female student playing with hairy dog at home

Boundaries, right? But if they end up sleeping in your bed, that’s cool

toddler boy bothering dog with ball in mouth

Unsolicited approaches from children can’t always be predicted

Adult dog sitting on a bed

What to expect in the first three days, three weeks and three months

Overhead shot of woman knitting a pair of purple socks while her four dogs lay on her for attention

The more the merrier – except when it’s not

weird dog rolling in poop

Chasing their tails, eating grass and rolling in rubbish – should you worry?

Two mixed breed dogs, one white with brown spots and one black, both biting on a S-shaped teal chew toy int he grass outside

Seven signs your pup and their pal have BFF potential

Jack Russell puppy grunting while laying on blanket and crying out

How to make sense of all those grunts and whines

A little puppy Jack Russell terrier is smelling the grass in the park with red dog-collar.

A ‘sniffari’ gives your dog a chance to be the boss

A black dog running through a grassy field.

Is the term ‘prey drive’ correct terminology or meaningless jargon?

Mixed dog laying on the floor int he sun with an unsure look on her face

When your dog growls, they’re expressing their emotions. A study found that you’ll probably be able to understand what they’re feeling

A couple int he living room playing with a laser on the couch with their dog

Learn why these red beams of light are bad for dogs

a puppy sprawled out on the couch sleeping

Four signs your puppy is ready for a nap

Wiener dog barking out of window of blue truck

What to do when your dog barks at everything from other cars to people

Young woman sitting at desk petting her senior Great Dane

Lili Chin’s book, Doggie Language, illustrates how dogs communicate – beyond ear perks and tail wags

Unrecognizable man sitting at desk petting his dog

There’s a difference between being affectionate and being annoying

A woman sitting on a floor playing with her dogs.

This has nothing to do with a werewolf named Jacob in a series called Twilight, but here’s what it is all about

pet lover concept with mini dog on woman leg. sitting in room at home

How to teach your pup to play nice

Dark brown dog sitting on a gray couch in a living room

There’s no time like the present, according to your pet

Black dog sitting on tiled floor

Also called the ‘propeller wagor ‘helicopter tail, this behaviour is a surefire way to tell that a dog is happy

training dog chewing blanket

A (seemingly) unstoppable nibbling obsession with all the blankets

Curly haired woman with tattoos holding her Labradoodle dog up to her face in a tender embrace

The connection between people and dogs is the stuff of legends

Same sex couple with their dog lying on the bed laughing at his farts

Expert solutions for your pup’s flatulence

A golden retriever and a Labrador staring at each other on a beach.

Studies have shown why some dogs choose to be friendly after a fight

Couple hugs their merle Boxer

Animal behaviourist Dr Karen B. London on how to strengthen your pet-parent bond

A man in a blue t-shirt holding a super cute puppy against an orange background

Kindchenschema might explain why pet parents anthropomorphise their cuddly companions

3 dogs posed together in a house

Research says your dog is as special and perfect as you tell them they are

Dog on leash barking with hair standing up

Weirdly, this is what it’s called when your dog raises their hackles. And here’s why they do it...

Adorable dog sitting on a rug next to some boots scooting

Dog trainer Emma Bowdrey helps explain this common canine behaviour

Two dogs being playful outside on a grassy hill.

Advice on how to deal with your dog’s humping habit

Bernese Mountain Dog with tennis ball in his mouth play bowing in the grassy backyard

Bow down, puppers. It’s time to play

Two fearful adolescent dogs peeking through a slightly open door

Turns out, the teenage years aren’t just tough for humans – they can be rough on dogs, too

Woman wearing a black t-shirt and jeans laying on the couch with her dog taking a nap

There are pros and cons of sleeping with your dog – for both of you

Dog in the sand smiling at the camera

There’s a big difference between a dog smiling and showing their teeth

weird dog rolling in poop

Chasing their tails, eating grass and rolling in rubbish – should you worry?

Golden Retrieve dog running in the grass outside, playfully chasing a flirt pole held by a man in blue jeans

Get out the toys and puzzles

A blonde woman wearing a black t-shirt and striped overalls playing tug with her tan dog using an orange basketball squeaky toy

The basics of the tug game and how to trouble-shoot common problems

A black dog holding its paw up to a woman's hand.

Boost your dog smarts with these cool facts

Woman sitting on couch with dog laying on lap watching TV

Can your dog really see what you see when they watch TV?

A dog resting its face on a wooden table.

A new study confirms our pets can have heartbreaking reactions to the loss of a canine companion

A dog laying on a couch peacefully.

If hypothyroidism is to blame, it’s best not to let sleeping dogs lie

An English bulldog resting on a floor.

One of the most popular breeds in the world is also one of the least genetically diverse, causing huge implications for the breed

Woman walking her small black dog outside on leash.

Research shows that little dogs may feel the need to scent mark more frequently than big dogs

Dog looking at their shadow in the snow

A fascination with lights and shadows is common in high-energy dogs – but it can develop into obsessive-compulsive disorder if it gets out of hand

Man and golden retreiver laying on stomach looking at each other in bed

To pet parents, a whimpering dog sounds as sad as a crying baby. Here’s why

Dog hiding under the sofa and afraid to go out because he heard fireworks.

How to keep your dog mentally and physically safe this Bonfire Night

Three dogs biting a stick.

Two animal behaviour experts agree that it’s usually play fighting. Here’s how you can tell

Kurzhaar's dog eats grass, oats, happy puppy playing in the meadow

When to worry about your pup’s grass consumption (and when it’s not a problem)

Two brown senior pointer dogs

If you have an older dog, they could have a condition called idiopathic vestibular disease. Here’s everything you need to know

Woman scratching belly of Shiba Inu while sitting on lawn near bush on summer day in yard.

If one hand isn’t stroking a furry dog belly, what are you doing?

Woman and man petting dog outside

When your dog looks back at its bum, you know what to do

Two boxer dogs playing with a ball together in the park

Looks aren’t everything, but they can talk

A woman and a dog laying close together on a couch.

Your pup may know you’re sick before you do

A dog laying on a couch looking relaxed

Or are they just peacefully resting? Behaviourist Karen London explains how to tell the difference

Dog Lays On The Ground Barking

Decoding the many sounds your pup makes

Close up shot of a brown dog sniffing upward out of frame with blurry grass in background

Is it time to teach your dog some boundaries?

Reflection of a multi-colored rainbow on the face of a mixed breed dog sitting on the floor indoors

They can’t take in as many colours as you can, but their world isn’t just black and white

Two dogs sitting on a beach

World-renowned behaviourist Patricia McConnell explains

Great Dane puppy and Husky meeting on leash out side.

Apparently even experts have a hard time defining these terms

A woman on a plane being licked in the face by her small black dog.

The sentiment is nice, but...

Sad boxer rests on owners lap, dog doesn't want to be touched

Animal behaviourist Karen B London breaks down the silent ways your pet is trying to tell you they’re hurting

Small dog humps its teddy bear toy on the room floor

Animal behaviourists weigh in on what’s behind all this bumping and grinding

A German shepherd and cat play affectionately in a bed.

There’s no winning this argument, but here’s what you should know about parenting each perfect pet

Jack Russell Terrier Puppy zooming around with a toy at home.

Not counting how fun they are to watch

dog hiding under a couch afraid of noises

Research finds why dogs may suddenly become super-sensitive to sounds

Shiba inu dog sleeping in bed

Dogs need more sleep than humans. Here’s how much is healthy

a Chihuahua dog licking their paw

Their toes might smell like Monster Munch, but there’s no way they taste that good

Cat running in the foreground outside with a dog out of focus running in the background

We all have our talents

Chihuahua puppy wearing a native Indian necklace sitting next to a lemon

Its the one food most dogs can't stand. Heres why – plus, how to use their dislike of citrus to your advantage

A Pit Bull puppy dog and woman sleep together on the couch at home after hard day.

No need to panic, but keep that video you took in case a vet needs to see it

Shiba Inu dog under a blanket, burrowing in covers

What’s behind the desire to burrow and is it safe?

A dog looking closely into the thick of a forest.

If your dog zones out under tree branches or dangling cloth, they might have Trance-like Syndrome

A dog howling on a sidewalk on a residential street.

How to help a howling dog turn down the volume (or even hit the off button)

Asian baby at home with howling dog

Is your dog showing empathy? Or just plain annoyance?

Puppy with one ear up an done ear down.

There’s a lot more to your pup’s furry appendages than you’d think

Dog resting on a computer laptop

Don’t just assume that your dog’s golden years should be spent quietly relaxing – they could be gaming

A woman holding her dog close.

Trust me, I’m a dog trainer

Shy black dog walking with owner at the park.

Six animal behaviourists share pro tips for boosting the confidence of a fearful dog

A woman with curly black hair playing with her white labradoodle dog outside

Cue the Schoolhouse Rock! because learning can be fun.

Close-up portrait of a wide-eyed Border Collie dog standing in the driveway of her home

It actually has a lot to do with genetics.

Scared tan dog against brick wall background

Remember, dogs have more than one emotion

Man hugging his fluffy white dog happily

How the ‘love hormone oxytocin connects us with our pups

Senior mixed breed dog playing with washable snuffle rug for hiding dried treats

Spice Girls reference aside, just because your dog is graying around the eyes doesn’t mean those eyes don’t light up at playtime.

Dog that looks unhappy being patted on the head by someone's hand while sitting on pavement outside

No touch-y!

A dog standing in a lavender field.

A psychologist explains how stimulating scents can influence a dog’s behaviour

A woman in a parking lot kissing her dog.

Boundaries, folks. Boundaries

A shy looking dog sitting on a couch.

Not all fearful dogs have been mistreated.

Angry pomeranian chihuahua pup on a dark gray background

Despite plenty of reasons to get mad, an animal behaviorist says dogs rarely express real anger.

Couple hugging their Pit Bull

Everything you need to know about the five breeds dubbed “Pit Bulls.”

Pregnant woman and her dog playing in the park.

Why pups' behavior may change when you’re expecting.

two brindle dogs lounge on a bed, one with an enrichment toy

Enrich your dog’s life by doing what comes naturally.

Three dogs in a park playing tug of war with a large stick.

Help! Should I take my young dog to the dog park for “socialization”?

Crop Owner Caressing Dog On Floor

But first, how to spot the early signs of hearing loss.

Two Australian Shepherd dogs meeting in the snow

How to tell the difference between dog aggression and communication.

woman petting small dog that is feeling stressed

Tips on helping a dog deal with their daily stress.

Shetland sheepdog sits in front of a obstacle course for dogs in the living room

Rainy day? These activities will keep your dog (and you!) from going stir crazy.

Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs playing in summer grassy field

In case you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in a dog society.

dog looking where man is pointing

Studies explain dogs’ ability to follow gestures.

curly haired dog waiting in a window for their owner

Your dog’s keen sense of smell isn’t the only clue.

Blind man with walking stick walks with Golden Retriever guide dog

From puppy to partner, guide dogs are a special breed.

two smart dogs, a german shepherd and a collie mix breed, sitting in the grass

Dogs have the ability to understand much more complex things than you give them credit for.