Maybe the most obvious warning signals that a dog is preparing to bite are growling and snapping.
When dogs are displeased or uncomfortable, they growl or snap at you to let you know. Give a dog some room if they snarl or snap at you when you approach them.
One of the symptoms that many people find unexpected is this one. Dog trainers frequently hear dog owners say that their dog was waving its tail before to biting someone. Yet, watch how your dog wags their tail.
The hair on dogs' backs may rise up when they are scared or overstimulated. Only the hair between the shoulders on the back of the neck stands up in some dogs.
Other dogs have it at their tails and at the neck. Some dogs, however, could have a hair ridge that runs the full length of their backs. A dog is asking you to back off if you see that they have raised hackles.
A dog's body language is frequently a dead giveaway when he's about to get aggressive—no pun intended. A relaxed dog with low-set ears and a wagging tail is typically content and cheerful.
The converse is true of a dog that is hostile. Their tail and ears may both lift up, and their entire body may become stiff.
A dog is not comfortable being touched if you try to pet them and their entire body freezes instead of wriggling to get closer. It's time to leave so they can feel more at ease.
A dog is trying to communicate with you if you see them licking their lips, yawning frequently, or turning their head away from you.
Dogs display these actions to let you know when they are uneasy about anything that is happening in their environment.
Dogs display these actions to let you know when they are uneasy about anything that is happening in their environment.
Lip-licking and yawning are less obvious indications that you are dealing with a nervous dog than cowering and tucking of the tail. Although fear increases the likelihood of a bite, scared dogs do not always bite.
Stay away from a dog if you see it crouching away from you and tucking its tail between its legs. They won't feel the need to bite to defend himself if you let them approach you at their own pace.