Play bow — Dogs

The story behind the answer

This is a classic play bow: the dog drops its chest and front legs low while keeping the hindquarters up, often with a wagging tail and bright eyes. It’s a clear invitation—“Let’s play!”—and a promise that any chasing or mouthing that follows is friendly, not aggressive.

Ethologists call this metacommunication: a signal that frames the meaning of what comes next. Wolves, fox