'I'm a Channel 4 dog expert, here is the little-known sign that something is wrong'

Most dog owners probably think they'd know if their furry friend was feeling scared or uncomfortable, but one expert says we often miss the subtle warning signs that really matter. Jo Pay, who is an experienced dog trainer for the programme Bad Dog Academy, has revealed some small clues that often go unnoticed by humans.

This leads to their pets getting stressed out and feeling they have no choice but to escalate into more aggressive behaviour. In an exclusive chat with the Express, Jo shared: "Dogs communicate really, really well. It's just a case of learning the body language of the dog that you're with at the time."

According to Jo, dogs are what trainers call "socially obligate", which means they genuinely want to get along with humans and other animals.

She explained: "They like people, they like other dogs, they like social interaction - they thrive on it." So when a dog suddenly seems withdrawn or tense, Jo says it's time to start paying attention.

The dog trainer revealed that one of the clearest signs something is wrong comes when a dog stiffens up or tries to start backing away. Jo added: "They tighten up a little, they hang back, they turn their head and avert their eyes."

She pointed out that people recognise this behaviour when it comes from another human, comparing it to the social awkwardness of bumping into someone you don't want to see. Jo elaborated: "Imagine there's been a girl fight. You go into the pub, and the girl you don't want to speak to is there. As you walk in, you're going to look the other way, avert your eyes, stiffen up, and try to move out of that space. Dogs are exactly the same."

Jo went on to explain that dogs would rather avoid conflict, and use these early subtle cues as a way to indicate they want to be given space but don't want trouble.

Unfortunately, many dog owners don't pick up on these signals, and the animal only starts being noticed when they are "barking, lunging, or biting". She advised people who are dealing with problem pooches to "listen and observe better", adding: "we can take the dog back down that ladder of body language to to nice soft communication".

This is exactly what Jo did with Welsh collie poodle mix Dougie, who featured on one of the most recent episodes of Bad Dog Academy. The pup had a bad reputation for aggression and had even been placed under an ASBO after biting people in public.

The anti-social behaviour order meant he could not go out on a walk without a muzzle, and was not allowed to be let off the lead. Thankfully, when Jo stepped in, she recognised that beneath his gruff exterior Dougie was actually quite a frightened dog and resorted to hostile methods to keep people out of his space.

After working with him on Bad Dog Academy, Dougie is now so transformed that his owners even feel he is ready to welcome a newborn baby into the home.

Jo detailed some of the other changes she has seen in his behaviour, sharing: "Since we filmed the episode, the family now can have visitors, which they couldn't before because Dougie was behaving aggressively.

"They can go on walks and talk to people and enjoy those things without Dougie barking and lunging. The best news we've had in the last couple of weeks is that I'm working with Dougie again now because Dougie is going to be having a human baby on the way.

"It just goes to show, I think, that if you can just take a moment and listen to what the dog is saying, understand the communication, and then train the dog in a way that they understand, then the difference is you can make is huge."

Bad Dog Academy is on Channel 4 on Thursdays at 8pm