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Pet care guides

Dog behaviour and communication: guides for Deerfield Beach pet owners

Reading what your dog is telling you, day to day.

Written for Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach and the rest of Broward County. Every guide opens with quick answers, then the detail underneath.

Quick answers

How do I know if my dog is stressed?

Lip licking, yawning, sudden sniffing, whale eye, a tucked tail and going still. Several of these together mean the dog needs space.

Does a wagging tail mean a dog is happy?

No. Wagging means arousal. A high stiff wag with a still body is a warning, while a loose sweeping wag is friendly.

What is whale eye in dogs?

Whale eye is when a dog turns its head away but keeps watching you, showing the whites of its eyes. It means the dog is uncomfortable with something close by.

Why does my dog follow me everywhere?

Usually attachment, habit and boredom rather than a problem. It becomes a concern only when the dog cannot settle or panics when you leave.

Dog behaviour and communication

How Dogs Show They Trust You

Trust in a dog is quiet. It looks like sleeping through the doorbell, leaning into your leg, and letting you take a bowl away without a flinch.

3 min read · Updated 2 Oct 2026

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