Is Your Dog Happy?

Dogs are the best pets that provide you safety as well as happiness. Dogs feel emotion as we do, but they can’t express their emotions like we do. They can show their emotions through special signs such as body language, behavior and even good health. People can communicate and express their feelings through words but dogs express their emotions through body language and let us know if they are happy or not. Moreover, dogs have the same hormones and have undergone the same kind of chemical changes that humans do during emotional shifts. So, it is necessary to check that your dog is happy or not.

How do dogs show emotions?

Dogs go through their developmental stage more quickly than humans do and they can achieve the emotional range in the age of 4 to 6 months. Emotional range also depends on the rate of maturation in their breed. Dogs have the emotional capacity of a 2 to 2.5 years old child. It means that they feel emotions of fear, joy, love, disgust and anger but dog does not feel the more complex emotions such as guilty, pride or shame. Like a 2 years child, your dog lacks the ability to tell you how they feel, through words. However, they can show their emotions through body language and communicate with us. We all know how it looks like when our dog is frustrated or angry. Learn how to raise a happy dog and discover how easy it is to curb canine anxiety

 

Signs of a happy dog

It does not take much time to make your dog happy. There are some signs by which you will see if your dog is genuinely happy or not:

Relaxed Eyes and eye contact

When your dog is relaxed and happy, his eyes will be in normal shape. Their gaze will be relaxed and gentle and they will blink often. If your dog has narrowed or wide eyes, it indicates that your dog is not happy. Eye contact is one of the major signs of trust in dogs, so sharing loving looks while sitting together after a long day of hangout is also a sign of a happy dog. Dogs also make eye contact to realize you’re as happy as they are.

 

Ear Shapes

Ear is also a sign of a happy or unhappy dog. If one ear is cocked up, or both may be loose and floppy, these are the signs of a happy dog. Otherwise, if a dog’s ears are pinned back, it could be a sign of an unhappy dog.

Movement of Tail

If your dog’s tail is soft, loose, typically held in a more neutral position or in the right position, So, these are the signs of a happy dog. On the other hand, if the tail is held on the right side, then your dog is unhappy.

Playtime

It is very good to give playtime to your dog regularly. If your dog is enjoying and feeling energetic in its playtime it is the sign of a happy dog. Otherwise, it is unhappy or it may be injured or sick (Check here for first aid kits for dog). Also, if your dog is abnormally quiet then it may be the sign that they’re not feeling well.

Moreover, dogs have some sort of funny ways to interact with their favorite people. The “play bow” is the common move in which they lower their front legs and head on the floor while butt and wagging their tail up in the air. This is the movement that shows your dog wants to play. If you see that move every day then you have a happy dog.

Barking

Happy dogs generally have a higher pitched bark and they bark for a short period of time. But it is not good to judge a dog by its barking. But it is important to consider the other signs the dog is giving you before thinking all is good.

Barking

Sleeping

Healthy and happy dogs sleep almost 2/3 of the day. If your dog is not sleeping well then it could be a sign of an unhappy and distressed dog. A grateful dog may also cuddle while you are sleeping in that way, he shows his love for you.

Calling name

Once you have decided on a dog as a new member of the family, you need to give it a good, matching name. If your dog always comes back to you whenever you call its name, that is the sign of a happy dog.

Interaction

If your dog’s interaction with you, it is the sign of a happy dog, else if your dog is hiding behind you or any other object it is the sign of unhappiness. This unhappiness is due to some reason or due to stress

Obey the rules

Dogs can be mischievous but if your dog is grateful, he will obey and do everything without any question. When you please your dog then he works extra hard to please you. Therefore, if your dog is happy, he tries to obey the rules.

Constantly smiling

Your dog is constantly smiling and his mouth is open, while some teeth may be visible. It shows that your dog is not aggressive. For example, you can notice the shape of his mouth and also the ways his eyes beam when you enter the room. Even when you are doing some activities such as reading a book or talking on the call, the dog always smiles in your direction.

Good behavior

Destructive behavior of a dog is a sign of boredom and lack of mental stimulation. Anxiety is also another cause of destructive behavior and a sign of an unhappy dog. Happy dogs are well behaved.

Belly’s up

When a dog is happy, he often shows you his belly and tongue. Also, your dog’s body looks soft, relaxed and quite often wiggled. Their muscles may be relaxed and these are the signs that show your dog is happy with you.

Like other dogs

If your dog is friendly with other family pets and not aggressive to any new animals or humans. These are the signs that your dog is in a good mood.