One of the reasons why dogs make such good pets is the remarkable way in which they can communicate with humans. Dogs see us as an extension of their own canine family and are very quick to interpret our own mood and intentions. An understanding of how dogs communicate with other dogs helps the observant owner to correctly decipher the message their pet is trying to convey.

Dogs communicate with other dogs through a series of signals that include a variety of facial expressions, body postures, noises and scents. Your dog uses his mouth, eyes, ears and tail to express his emotions. By reading the combination of body signals, you should be able to work out who is top dog in any confrontation or situation.

A dog who is feeling confident or aggressive may try to convey the impression of being a larger more powerful animal. He stands tall with ears and tail erect, thrusts his chest forward and may raise the hairs around his neck and along his back (his hackles). He may also wave his tail slowly and growl.

A submissive dog, on the other hand, will try to appear small and puppy-like. Adult dogs will chastise puppies, but they do not attack them. A submissive dog approaches a more dominant dog from the side, crouching low with the tail held low and wagging enthusiastically. The submissive dog may also try to lick the hands and face of the dominant dog (or person) and if this is not sufficiently appeasing, he might roll on to his back. While on his back, he may pass a small amount of urine.

The dog's tail is often a barometer for emotions. Most people recognize the loose, free tail wagging that is indicative of friendliness. Exaggerated tail wagging is often seen in subordinate dogs. A tail waved slowly and stiffly, in line with the back, expresses anger. When the tail is clamped low over the dog's hindquarters, it is a sign that the dog is afraid. Anxious or nervous dogs' tails are often stiff and drooping.

Some dog breeds have a distinctive way of carrying their tails. The Whippet and the Italian Greyhound naturally carry their tail in the clamped down position In general, however, a tail that is held more than 45 degrees to the spine expresses interest and alertness.

The facial expression of your dog tells you a lot about his mood. He can look anxious, excited, frightened, playful or any one of a vast repertoire of emotions.

Your dog's ears are erect when he is alert or listening intently. When the ears are held back or flattened onto the head, this could signify pleasure, submission or fear. To read his mood correctly, you need to watch for other body signals as well.

The eyes may be narrowed or half-closed when your dog is showing pleasure or submission, but are wide open when aggressive. In the wild, the pack leader can maintain control simply by staring at a subordinate animal. The two animals continue to stare at each other until one challenges the other or until one lowers his head and turns away. If the staring continues after the submissive dog has looked away, he may feel confused and bite out of fear. If eye contact is not broken, the dominant dog will reinforce his threat by snarling, growling or even attacking. You should not try to outstare your dog if he has aggressive or nervous tendencies as this could provoke an attack. Nevertheless, regular, gentle eye contact with your dog is necessary as it reinforces the relationship.

Submissive dogs as well as certain dog breeds (Labradors), may appear to be 'smiling' and show their teeth in a lop-sided grin of friendliness. In the snarl of aggression, however, both lips are drawn right back to expose most of the teeth and it is often accompanied by a growl.

A dog will indicate his desire to play by raising a front paw or by performing the play bow. This gesture is often accompanied by barking in order to attract attention. Other gestures for play include offering a favorite toy or object, or bounding up to another dog in order to initiate a chase.