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We often lament “If only my dog could talk” but in reality, if you know what to look for, your labradoodle is always communicating through their body language.

Van Isle Doodles recommends reading Decoding Your Dog for some great insight into the main areas to focus on in order to better understand what your labradoodle is telling you and how you can better get your message across to your Australian labradoodle.

1. Learn their language
2. Listen with your eyes
3. Use cues that work
4. Avoid miscommunications traps
5. Teach a common language
6. Have realistic expectations

The goal is not for us to learn how to communicate in labradoodle language but rather how we are able to use the knowledge of canine communication to gain a greater understanding of our labradoodle’s emotional states and help determine what they may do next.

Look at your entire dog and not just one part of your dog’s body or an individual sound. Be aware of the situation as well and put it all together to get a more accurate assessment of your labradoodle’s emotional state.

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Labradoodles are intelligent and easily understand quite a few individual words, however, they can’t have a conversation with us. Using gestures and body language are clearer ways to communicate effectively with your labradoodle in a language easily understood by both of you.

Dogs, like humans, are all different. Some situations might be too much for a certain dog so be sure you keep a close look out for signs of anxiety and change the circumstances to avoid stressing your labradoodle out to the point where he isn’t able to absorb or communicate back anything besides being anxious.

If you see that a bad situation is about to occur, don’t hesitate. Step in, remove yourself and your labradoodle or do something that changes what is happening or about to happen.

Labradoodle eyes are known for their ability to express many different things. Although those gazes are usually loving, curious or full of mischief and fun, it is important to be aware of an unusual look in your labradoodle’s eyes such as:

1. A fixed stare that doesn’t waver. This signifies a challenge to whomever is being stared at. This type of gaze is threatening.
2. If your labradoodle averts his eyes he is showing deference to either the person or another dog.
3. When pupils are dilated this is an indication that your labradoodle is afraid.
4. Very wide open eyes where you can see the whites of the eye is also an
5. Indication that your labrdoodle is afraid.
6. Eyes that are darting all over the place rapidly is another sign of fear.

Ear positions and posture also communicate different feelings:

1. A labradoodle is calm when his ears are in a neutral, relaxed position.
2. If the ears are turned forward, up and alert this means the dog is either being very attentive or in a state of aggression.
3. Ears that are flattened and pinned back indicate a defensive and fearful emotional state.

The mouth is also a source of information:

1. Panting is your labradoodle’s way of communicating that he is hot and sweating through his tongue or if there is no reason for him to be hot then likely your labradoodle is telling you something is making him wary or afraid.
2. Licking the lips with the tongue flicking in and out is another sign of being anxious.
3. Yawning is a frequent sign of stress in your labradoodle or could just be your labradoodle saying I’m tired.
4. Lips curled up with teeth showing, otherwise referred to as a snarl, is at times a result of the dog being in a playful state or a sign of aggression. A snarl is a warning sign.
5. Growling sounds are similar to a snarl in that they are often emitted during play time but a growl also serves as a very useful warning sound to people and dogs that things are making your labradoodle annoyed.
6. Barking communicates a variety of things, it could be a reaction to a charged situation, a warning given to a stranger be that human or another dog, excitement over a game, playful or a fearful bark. Labradoodles are not “barkers” so pay attention and learn the different tones of your labradoodles’ bark so you are able to determine what he is “saying” to you.

A common mistake made by people is to tell their dog not to bark or growl at all. Eliminating those two types of verbal communication from a dog gives a dog no option but to go straight to aggressive behaviour. The bark and the growl are how dogs “say” back off, keep your distance and those verbal clues should not be silenced by humans. Only if a dog does not cease barking/growling after being removed from the situation causing the response should a human attempt to silence the dog. Taking your dog out of the situation that is causing him difficulty will result in the dog becoming quiet again.

How a dog carries themselves is the final physical communication area:

1. A labradoodle who is carrying themselves in a relaxed and soft posture is a calm dog.
2.  If the dog’s body is tense and especially if his legs are stiff then the dog is in high alert and approaching the aggressive stage.
3. Having her hackles up is a clear sign your dog is distressed, on high alert and preparing to become aggressive.
4. When your dog rolls over she is showing that she is submissive to the situation, other dog(s) or human(s) in the vicinity. For labradoodles, being on their back is a trait they all seem to possess. Many labradoodles prefer to sleep on their backs which is unusual for other breeds of dogs. At Van Isle we feel our labradoodles do this because they are so entirely trusting of their environment. In Bijoux’s case she also likes to encourage belly rubs!

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With careful observation you will be able to recognize even more clues from watching your labradoodle’s body language as to how they are feeling. If a labradoodle is feeling guilty or has done something she shouldn’t have, you will recognize the chagrin being expressed by their cowering posture and lack of direct eye contact.

To read the book and learn more, you can order it here: http://www.amazon.ca/Decoding-Your-Dog-Explaining-Behaviors/dp/0544334604