Calming Signals
Learn about Canine Calming Signals
Understanding Canine Calming Signals
Dogs speak with their bodies long before they bark or growl. If we learn to "listen" to these early whispers of communication—known as calming signals—we can better support our dogs, build trust, and prevent stress from escalating. At Wiggle Butt Academy, we believe that communication is a gift, not a problem to fix. Our goal is to help families recognize and respect what their dogs are telling them—before discomfort turns into a growl, snap, or bite.
What Are Calming Signals?
Calming signals are subtle body language cues dogs use to:
Communicate that they’re feeling uneasy
Signal that they are not a threat
Diffuse conflict before it escalates
Soothe themselves or others around them
These signals include lip licks, yawns, turning away, sniffing, blinking slowly, and more. Every dog uses them—and every dog deserves to be heard when they do.
We reference the work of Turid Rugaas, who first coined the term “calming signals” to describe these vital communication tools.
“Body postures and gestures used to calm themselves, to calm other dogs, animals or humans, and to communicate stress.”— Turid Rugaas
Why Do Calming Signals Matter?
Imagine if your dog is whispering, “I’m not okay,” but no one is listening. If subtle signals are ignored—or worse, punished—dogs may feel the need to shout louder. That can mean barking, growling, or even biting.
Suppressing communication doesn’t solve discomfort—it just removes your early warning system. Our job is to make sure our dogs never feel they need to scream to be heard.
What to Watch For
Some common calming signals include:
Lip Licks: Quick flicks of the tongue, often a sign of mild anxiety or appeasement.
Yawns: Not always about being tired—dogs yawn to cope with tension.
Turning Away: A polite way to de-escalate a situation.
Sniffing the Ground: Sometimes used to redirect tension.
Blinking or Squinting: Soft eyes are a sign of trying to keep things peaceful.
Understanding these cues in context is key. Look at your dog’s entire body—ears, eyes, tail, posture, and energy level—to become a true Doggie Detective™.
What Should You Do?
THINK
Ask: What’s happening right now? What might be making my dog uncomfortable?
ACT
Create distance from the stressor. If you’re the one causing the stress, simply step back and observe what your dog does next.
PLAN
Can this situation be avoided in the future? Can we teach new coping skills in a more comfortable setting?
The Bottom Line
Dogs don’t lie. If your dog shows signs of stress, believe them. Give them space. Honor their voice. The more often you do, the more your dog will trust you to listen—and the less they’ll need to escalate to be heard.