Canine relaxed body language includes which cue?

Canine relaxed body language includes which cue?

• A. Face: taut; Ears: forward; Tail: high and stiff
• B. Face: open mouth, tense; Ears: flat; Tail: tucked
• C. Face: soft, loose; Eyes: almond-shaped; Ears: forward; Tail: level with or below topline, wagging
• D. Spine: rigid; Mouth: closed

Answer: (C)

Recognizing relaxed body language in dogs comes from a set of cues that together show calm, non-threatening engagement. A relaxed dog typically has a soft, loose facial expression with a relaxed jaw and mouth. The eyes tend to be almond-shaped and not hard or wide-eyed. Ears are in a natural, forward-facing or neutral position rather than pinned back or tensed. The tail is held at a mid level or below the topline and may wag gently, indicating friendly receptiveness rather than arousal or fear. This combination signals comfort and openness to interaction. Other cues, such as a taut face with a high, stiff tail or ears pinned back, or a tucked tail and rigid spine with a closed mouth, point to stress, fear, or defensiveness rather than relaxation.

Recognizing relaxed body language in dogs comes from a set of cues that together show calm, non-threatening engagement. A relaxed dog typically has a soft, loose facial expression with a relaxed jaw and mouth. The eyes tend to be almond-shaped and not hard or wide-eyed. Ears are in a natural, forward-facing or neutral position rather than pinned back or tensed. The tail is held at a mid level or below the topline and may wag gently, indicating friendly receptiveness rather than arousal or fear. This combination signals comfort and openness to interaction.

Other cues, such as a taut face with a high, stiff tail or ears pinned back, or a tucked tail and rigid spine with a closed mouth, point to stress, fear, or defensiveness rather than relaxation.