Like humans, dogs use body language, sounds, and facial cues to communicate with their human families. But since they have tails and four legs, their body language is a bit different. Being able to observe your dog’s actions and movements can help you recognize discomfort or stress and respond to issues such as heartworms and other health issues, like fleas or ticks. Whether your dog is a family pet or a service dog that has an emotional support animal (ESA) online certification, it’s important to understand their communication. This is the key to keeping your pet safe and happy:

1. Exposing their bellies

One of the reasons why dogs display their belly is to elicit a belly rub. Before you start petting, it’s important to understand what your animal is saying. They might also be showing their submissive side to signify they understand you are in charge.

2. Digging

Dogs dig for a variety of reasons. If they are bored, they may dig in the grass or dirt to relieve some energy. If it is hot outside, some dogs will dig holes in the dirt and lay there to cool off. Other dogs may be stressed and are digging to feel better.

3. Giving you puppy dog eyes

Experts say that “puppy dog eyes” is the most common expression our dogs can give when they are being looked at by their owners. It is heartwarming because it resembles a sad look. The reasons behind this look are many. Your dog may be bored, sad, hungry, or just trying to get your attention. Regardless of the reason your dog is giving you puppy dog eyes, it is hard to resist.

4. Excessive licking

If your dog is constantly licking himself or other objects, it could be a sign that he’s suffering from pain or itchiness, anxiety, or boredom. His obsession with self-licking could also be caused by allergies or flea infestation.

5. Tilting of the head

A dog tilts its head to show that it is engaged in a conversation, which is similar to how a human would nod in response to a verbal exchange. Social dogs tend to tilt their heads more often to encourage a prolonged conversation as they try to understand what their owner is communicating.

6. Chasing their tails

A tail-chasing behavior is an invitation for you to play with or take notice of the dog. While your dog would prefer that you laugh and give attention to them when they chase their tails, some owners prefer the behavior be stopped. Offering treats when they stop chasing their tails can help curb the behavior.

7. Eating grass

There are many reasons why your dog will eat grass. They could be suffering from boredom or may have a stomach ache. If this is the case, you may find that they throw up shortly after consuming grass. Another reason some dogs eat grass is that they are deficient in fiber. If your dog is spending a lot of time eating grass outside, be sure to check them for ticks, and consult with your veterinarian.

8. Chewing or ripping up personal items

Like kids, dogs often have a hard time dealing with stress, boredom, and pent-up energy. They often resort to behaviors such as chewing or ripping up their owner’s personal items to relieve their anxiety and stress.

9. Howling

To attract attention, some dogs howl to make themselves known and to communicate their presence. They can also respond to loud noises such as musical instruments or emergency vehicle sirens with howling.

10. Barking or growling

Barking or growling is often a warning from your dog that they are not happy about something. It can also act as an alert if there is a knock at the door, or a warning, should another animal get too close to their dog food. It can also be a sign that he’s not comfortable with a stranger.