Loose, bouncy body language — Dogs

The story behind the answer

Loose, bouncy body language signals play because it shows relaxation and exaggerated, wiggly movements—think play bows, curved approaches, relaxed open mouths, and wagging hips. These are “metasignals” that tell other dogs, “This is just for fun,” even if the behavior mimics wrestling or chasing.

In contrast, aggression is marked by stiffness, a forward-leaning posture, hard, unwavering eye contact, and sharp, intense vocalizations. Dogs can switch quickly, so watch the overall vibe: floppy and springy equals playful; rigid and locked-in equals not. Memory tip: Wiggles = welcome, statue = stop.