Is your dog happy? These 6 signs can help you tell, according to vets

Dogs are amazing. They make wonderful companions, they love us unconditionally, and they always seem to be in a great mood. But of course, dogs aren’t always happy. It’s up to us as pet owners to make sure we keep them that way as much as possible.

Believe it or not, there are more ways than just the tail wag to tell if you’re pup is happy or not. Obviously, they can’t tell us themselves, but thankfully, according to veterinarians, there are six major ways to know if yours is living a happy, satisfied life.

How to know if your dog is happy

Basic needs met

This is the bare minimum to make sure your dog has a good life. Basic needs like food, water, and shelter are met. Dr. Katie Anderson, a veterinary behaviorst at Cornell University’s Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior in New York, referenced the five freedoms of animal welfare when discussing this point - freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; freedom to exhibit normal behavior; and freedom from fear and distress.

“When I think of ‘happy,’ I think about welfare and that a dog has all their needs met,” said Anderson. “And that idea goes back quite a ways, to the ’60s.”

Relaxed body language

Anderson says that dogs shouldn’t show signs of tension, such as holding their ears back or showing 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,” she said, also adding that their movements should be “loose and they look like noodles”.

A primary care veterinarian at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Kristi Flynn, mentioned that dogs’ weight should be evenly distributed rather than leaning or holding up a 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 said. “That’s, to me, a sign of a happy or content dog.”

Relaxed facial expressions

Just as their bodies should be relaxed, so should their faces be. You can often tell by a dogs’ face whether or not they are content. Similar to humans, dogs may furrow their brows or squint their eyes when they’re unhappy.

Flynn explains that if they look “relaxed around the eyes, relaxed around the mouth”, it’s a sign of a happy pooch.

Routine

Like people, dogs function better and are happier when they have a set routine and a bit of predictability. According to Anderson, dogs struggle the most when there are major interruptions to their schedule, like holidays and trips. Of course, these things are inevitable, but when they’re not happening, it’s important to establish a set routine for your dog to stay comfortable and happy.

“It’s not that they don’t want novelty and excitement, but they don’t want the whole world to be constantly different,” said Anderson.

Enrichment exercise

No matter the breed or size, dogs need exercise to be happy. How much exercise will vary, but physical movement is a big part of their well-being.

“I categorize exercise under enrichment, and enrichment is a really broad topic,” Anderson said. “It’s kind of the things in your life that are your self-care.”

Mental exercises are equally as important, so giving your dog the opportunity to play with toy, do puzzles, or take part in training classes is also a good idea to not only keep them happy, but also keep their minds sharp.

“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. “That can really bring them joy, and it’s a great way to bond with your pet and really strengthen that relationship.”

Owner advocates for them

Since dogs unfortunately can’t speak, it’s important that their owner pay attention to any signs of discomfort. After a certain period of time together, you’ll start to understand your dog’s body language, and it’s up to you to voice that to others.

“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.”

“People have good intentions, but actually giving dogs space and just respecting their boundaries, I think, is important,” she said.

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