With as much happiness as our pups give us, it’s only fair to ask ourselves if they are happy as well. Dogs are known for their ability to empathize with their human parents and their ability to understand, mirror and even respond to our emotions. That being said, just because dogs understand human happiness and sadness, it does not mean that the same things that make us happy will necessarily make our pups happy. So how do you know if Fido is content? Learn to understand his happy language. Dogs, like humans, communicate their emotions, and it’s up to pay attention to what they are saying. Of course, wagging tails and jumping paws are clear signs that our pals are enjoying themselves, but there are other more subtle indicators of general happiness and wellbeing that pup parents should familiarize themselves with to ensure their fur babies are happy and thriving. If your pup displays most of the indicators in the following list, you can relax and assume you have a happy, healthy pooch.
- Relaxed facial muscles
- Floppy ears
- Playful behavior
- Bouncy gait when walking
- Leaning into you or wanting to be close
- Playing with toys and generally curious
Don’t worry if your dog is not skipping around all day and enjoys a nap or two…or five, this does not mean he is unhappy, as happy dogs also sleep contentedly as a break from playing. However, if your pup sleeps constantly instead of playing, you may want to consider if he is under stimulated, needs more exercise or needs more social interaction. Other signs of a stressed or unhappy pup include the following:
- Ears back and stiff indicate stress.
- Tail tucked under and slow gait.
- Avoids eye contact.
- Stiff body posture
- Sleeps all day.
- Walks away and takes himself to a private area of the home.
If your dog shows these signs, you may want to take him to the vet to rule out illness or any physical reasons for this behavior. If your pup is healthy, then it’s time to consider his environment. Is Fido left alone all day while you are at work? Do you come home too tired to play or interact with him for more than a few minutes? Is he often exposed to stressful situations such as loud and crowded areas? If any of these statements apply to your pup, then the following ideas may turn your depressed pooch into a happy one:
- Enroll him in doggie daycare while you are at work.
- Allot training time to learn and practice tricks to keep him engaged (even older dogs benefit from learning new tricks)
- Drive further out of the city whenever possible to give him the opportunity to walk and play in quiet open spaces.
- Give him more time on his walks to sniff and explore to keep him from getting bored, which can lead to canine depression.
- Provide him with a variety of toys, especially noisy ones to keep him company for short periods of time when you are out or busy.
Keep in mind that dogs, like humans, are social animals and need plenty of social interaction, physical exercise, and mental stimulation for wellbeing and happiness. Also, like humans, dogs are individuals and not all pups will react the same in every situation, so watch your dogs for signs of joy and stress and respond accordingly. Dogs are excellent communicators, and so with the help of the above guide, pet parents should have no problem understanding how their pup is feeling.
