It can be helpful to understand the messages a dog sends through body language.
Be on the lookout for these behaviors:

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• Back and forth play – dogs change position
  (role reversals)
  
• Bouncy, exaggerated gestures
  
• Wiggly bodies
  
• Open relaxed mouth
  
• Play bows
  
• Twisted leaps or jumps
  
• Gentle neck biting
  
• Pawing in the air
  

• Looking away, often with a turned head
  
• Hiding behind objects or people
  
• Fast wagging low tail
  
• Whining or whimpering
  
• Ears may be back, mouth tense
  
• Fast lip licking
  
• Drooling
  
• Shaking off when not wet
  
• Yawning – little half yawns
  

• Dog will try to look small
  
• Tail tucked
  
• Hunched over, head down
  
• Tense
  
• May urinate submissively
  

• Excessive mounting
  
• Pinning (holding another dog down and standing stiffly over him)
  
• Shadowing another dog (following) incessantly
  
• Bullying another dog that does not want to interact
  
• Full speed body slams
  
• Freezing with stiff body and posture
  
• Putting head repeatedly onto another dog’s neck
  or back
  
• Staring with a fixed gaze directly at another dog
  
• Snarling or raised lips
  
• Hackles up at the shoulders
  
• Showing teeth
  

Bouncy, Twisted Leaps


Gentle Neck Biting


Looking Away and Hiding


Fast Lip Licking


Putting Head Repeatedly on Another
Dog’s Back


Pinning