Deciphering your doodle's body language

Doodles are famously expressive. Whether you share your couch with a Bernedoodle, a Goldendoodle, or another poodle mix, your pup is talking to you all day long through their body, voice, and those big curly eyebrows. Here's how to read what they're saying.

Tail talk

A loose, sweeping wag (often with a full-body wiggle) means a happy, relaxed doodle. A high, stiff tail can signal alertness or tension, and a tail tucked low usually means your pup is nervous or unsure.

Ears and eyebrows

Doodle ears are floppy, but they still move. Ears lifted forward mean curiosity or focus. Ears pinned back can mean worry, or sometimes just a sweet greeting when paired with a wiggly body. Watch those eyebrows too: doodles are masters of the puppy-eye look when they want something.

Soft eyes vs. hard stare

Soft, squinty eyes and slow blinks show trust and contentment. A fixed, hard stare or seeing the whites of the eyes ("whale eye") is a sign your dog is uncomfortable and needs some space.

Play bows and zoomies

Front end down, back end up? That's a play bow, and it's an invitation to have fun. Sudden laps around the yard (the famous zoomies) are just your doodle burning off happy energy.

Barks, whines, and grumbles

Short, excited barks usually mean "play with me!" A whine can mean anything from "I need to go out" to "I miss you." And plenty of doodles are big talkers, with grumbles and groans that are pure chatter.

The lean and the paw

Many Bernedoodles inherit the Bernese habit of leaning their whole weight against you. That lean, along with a gentle paw on your leg, is pure affection and a request for attention.

The more you watch your doodle's cues, the better you'll understand their personality, and the stronger your bond will be. With a little patience, you'll be fluent in doodle in no time.