Since our dogs can’t talk, they can’t verbally tell us how they’re feeling.
But, there are still some ways we can tell what kind of mood they’re in.
From dog body language to signs that are disguised as something else, we’ll let you know how to tell.
In this post, we’re sharing 6 ways you can tell if your dog is happy.
6 Signs Your Dog is Happy
Go through each of these signs to gain a better sense of your dog’s body language and determine whether she’s happy.
#1 He Doesn’t Destroy Your Items
If a dog chews your chews or wrecks your items, it’s likely he’s not very happy, at least in the moment. Destroying items could mean he has separation anxiety or he’s bored.
#2 Wagging Tail
Everyone probably knows this as the #1 sign that your dog is happy. If your dog is content, his tail will be in a natural position. If he’s excited, he will wag his tail. A tail in between the legs could mean anxiety or sadness.
#3 If He’s Exercising
Just like a depressed person, a depressed dog sometimes will want to lay around and sleep all day. A happy dog will enjoy going for walks, playing with toys or fetching.
#4 If He’s Social
Some dogs love to be the center of attention while others are a bit quieter. However, in general, dogs will love to greet company and sit beside family and friends. If your dog hides away or isn’t excited at new people, he may be feeing down.
#5 Body Language is Normal
If you start paying attention to your dog’s body language, you can begin to see the changes. For example, a dog’s eyes and mouth will have a normal resting look. When they are excited, their eyes will change shape and their mouth may open more.
#6 Relaxed Ears
When your dog is happy, his ears will hang normally. When he’s excited, his ears will perk up. However, when he’s sad, worried, or anticipating something, his ears will be pinned back.
If Your Dog Isn’t Happy
If your dog isn’t happy, there’s a few things you can do. First, make sure your dog is healthy and isn’t suffering from any unseen health problem. Secondly, create a routine for your dog. Make sure you get him adequate exercise around the same time every day. Make sure he gets fed at the same time every day as well. Get him plenty of social interaction and play with him frequently. If your dog’s mood still doesn’t seem to improve, you should talk to your vet about a treatment plan. Since it’s possible for dogs to suffer from anxiety and depression, it’s not an issue that should be ignored.
