Spoiler Alert: tail-wagging isn’t one of them.
Most dog owners want to know what their furry babies are thinking. But since dogs can’t communicate with words, it can be challenging to determine whether they’re content and satisfied.
Luckily, veterinarians serve as our closest allies, and they are here to help us understand our pets better. They can give us insights into our dogs’ behaviors and patterns, which can tell us a lot about their overall well-being. By paying attention to certain cues, we can get a better idea of whether our dogs are actually living their best lives (and no, just because they wag their tails doesn’t always mean they’re beaming with joy).
Ahead, vets share how to tell if your pooch is truly happy and how to make them even happier.
1. All of their basic needs are met.
For us humans, it’s hard to feel joyful and happy when our basic needs aren’t taken care of. The same goes for our dogs. Dr. Kate Anderson, a veterinary behaviorist at Cornell University’s Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior, stresses the importance of meeting a dog’s basic needs in order to keep them happy.
“When I think of ‘happy,’ I think about welfare and that a dog has all their needs met,” she tells the Huffington Post. “And that idea goes back quite a ways to the ’60s.”
Anderson is referencing the five freedoms of animal welfare: making sure they aren’t hungry, thirsty, uncomfortable, in pain, or scared. However, our understanding of dog happiness has become more complicated, as seen in the abundance of self-help books on the subject. Still, making sure a dog’s fundamental requirements are fulfilled is an important first step.
2. Their body language is relaxed.
“Happy dogs should have very loose body language,” Anderson said. “They shouldn’t have any tension. Their ears shouldn’t be pulled back. You shouldn’t see the whites of their eyes. Their tail should be at, depending on their breed, a normal angle to their body like 90 degrees, or just relaxed.”
Dr. Kristi Flynn, a primary care veterinarian from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, adds that it’s important for your pet’s weight to be evenly distributed on all four limbs. They shouldn’t be leaning back or standing with an elevated paw.
“We can think of the dogs just laying out in the yard in the sun, just laying on their side with their body all relaxed,” Flynn says. “That’s, to me, a sign of a happy or content dog.”
Plus, Anderson notes that if your dog’s movements are loose and they look like noodles, it’s a good sign that they’re pretty happy.
3. Their facial expressions are calm and relaxed.
According to Flynn, dogs and humans have similar facial muscles and their expressions can tell us a lot about how they’re feeling. She says that if a dog’s brow isn’t furrowed and the areas around their eyes and mouth look relaxed, it means they’re content.
Consider this: when you’re upset, your mouth might droop and you squint your eyes. This is not the face of a happy person or a happy dog. So, if your dog has a calm and relaxed expression, chances are they’re in a good mood.
4. Your pet has a reliable routine.
Just like toddlers and young children, dogs thrive on predictability. It gives them a sense of security and comfort, Anderson says. “It’s not that they don’t want novelty and excitement, but they don’t want the whole world to be constantly different,” she advises.
While we all deserve a vacation and going back to the office is often out of our control, our dogs can have a tough time when our schedules change. It’s crucial to maintain a routine with them as much as possible, even establishing a new one for them when change is necessary.
5. They’re excited to participate in enrichment activities like training, exercise and working with puzzle toys.
We all know how important it is to take care of our dogs. One way to do that is by making sure they get enough enrichment. It’s not just about keeping them at a healthy weight, but it also plays a big role in giving them the mental stimulation they need.
“I advocate for and use evidence-based, humane training methods with my dogs and recommend that clients and pet owners use the same, just because it shows that it reduces stress and conflict,” Flynn said.
In addition, Flynn points out that training is important for keeping your dog’s mind sharp, no matter their age. Even if they’re already housebroken and know their basic commands, it’s still important to continue their learning.
Don’t let your pup’s education come to a halt just because they’ve mastered the basics. Keep their minds active and engaged.
6. They have an owner who advocates for their well-being.
Your dog’s body language can give you clues about how they’re feeling, but they can’t straight-up tell someone to back off. However, you can do it for them.
“It can be hard to try to manage the social pressure from the human side and make sure that your dog is comfortable,” Flynn said. “I think sometimes I’ve inadvertently let my dog be in a position where he wasn’t as comfortable as maybe he could have been.” Still, she says it’s perfectly acceptable to share your dog’s needs and emotions to those around you, whether they’re your loved ones or people on the street.
We all know that every dog has their own unique personality (some are social butterflies, while others are more introverted), and just like us, it’s important to recognize and respect those differences. If you happen to have a shy dog, it’s critical to let people around you know about what they prefer. One way to do this is by kindly asking strangers not to pet your dog, explaining that that your beloved may feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed by unfamiliar people. And when your friends come over, it’s a good idea to let them know to give your dog some space.
Fostering understanding and empathy among those who interact with your dog creates a calm and stress-free environment for them. After all, they deserve to feel safe, respected and happy, just like us.
