To determine if a dog is happy or sad, pet parents have to look at their pup’s body language and behavior within context. Happy dogs wag their tails, get the zoomies, roll over, and want to be near you. However, these signs could mean the opposite if they are at the vet.
So how can you learn to tell the difference?
We will explore the signs that show your dog is happy. We'll also help you be sure of their feelings. Learn how to interpret your dog’s body language and how to make them even happier.
15 Signs of a Happy Dog
You can tell a dog is happy if it displays these behaviors:
- “loose” posture, with a raised head.
- A partially open mouth, like a soft dog's smile
- Relaxed ears, not pulled back or taut with alertness.
- A loose tail wags.
- Rolling over and showing its belly.
- Dogs do play bows by lifting their rear in the air and lowering their chest to the ground.
- Zoomies
- Lying down, on or around you.
- Body squirms or toes tap out a rhythm when meeting your gaze.
- Relaxed body language while walking
- Non-destructive behavior, as destruction can be a sign of canine boredom or anxiety.
- Asks for physical contact and affection from you.
- Turn toward you when you stop or walk away.
- Barking, alongside other happy body languages
- Engaged with your voice or presence.
10 Signs Your Dog May Be Unhappy
- Excessive barking, howling, or growling
- Ears pulled back, flat against their head
- Stiff, upright tail or body language
- Refusing eye contact or displaying whale eyes
- Pacing up and down
- Destroying furniture
- Peeing and pooping inside the house
- Cowering or hiding
- Not eating or eating too much
- Loss of interest in exercise or playtime
- Excessive licking or chewing of their paws
How To Keep Your Dog Happy
- Make sure their needs are met. This means caring for all aspects of their well-being. Feed your dog a healthy and well-rounded diet, provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation, and shower them with lots of hugs and affection (if they want it!)
- Be consistent in how you communicate. Dogs thrive off of consistency. Consistent behaviors and routines communicates to dogs what to expect and how to react. The more dogs feel they can read your mind, the stronger your bond will be.
- Look after yourself, too. A happy pet parent = a happy dog! While you can’t “pass” feelings to your pup, studies show dogs can recognize and react to human emotions of all kinds.
- Offer lots of praise and positive reinforcement. Sure, giving your dog rewards following good behavior encourages them to repeat the action in the future. But praising and rewarding your pup also encourages their brain to release feel-good oxytocin — and who would say no to that?
- Remember that moods can vary. Human moods and emotions can quickly shift — the same goes for our dogs. It would be unreasonable to expect your canine pal to be happy all of the time! The best thing you can do is watch for body language cues or changes in behavior that might indicate something’s up.
Lastly, if your dog sleeps too much (outside the normal 12-14 hour range), Malawey says it might indicate an underlying health condition, stress, or anxiety.
This blog was inspired by rover.com.
