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Writer's pictureVickie Foster

Is Your Dog Happy?



Does your dog seem happy? Prancing steps, playing with a toy, licking your face in greeting, all are happy signals. But since our dogs can’t tell us themselves if they are happy, we have to rely on veterinarians to interpret their body language for us. Below we have some vet opinions on what to look for when seeking happy canine behavior.


According to Dr. Kate Anderson, at Cornell University’s Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior, the first criteria for dog happiness is to have their basic needs met. This dates back to the five freedoms of animal welfare developed in the sixties. These are:


  1. Freedom from hunger and thirst

  2. Freedom from discomfort

  3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease

  4. Freedom to exhibit normal behavior

  5. Freedom from fear and distress.


A dog can’t be happy and content unless these basic needs are met.  It’s amazing how many pet parents don’t provide all of these needs. It’s a good start toward assuring your dog is happy if you have addressed all of these.


Anderson also notes that happy dogs have very loose body language. They should not have any tension in their body. The white of their eyes should not be showing and their ears should not be flat against their heads. The tail should be relaxed at a normal angle to their body.


Dr. Kristi Flynn, from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine says that your dog should have weight evenly distributed on all four legs. Your pup should not be leaning back or have its paw up in the air. If you think of a dog laying relaxed in the sun on its side with all four legs stretched out, this is the picture of contentment. This is a happy dog. Flynn adds that if your dog’s body language is loose and noodly it is probably pretty happy.


According to Flynn, a happy dog should have a relaxed face. Humans and dogs have similar muscles in our faces. When we are upset our jaws are clenched, our mouth down-turned and our eyes squinty. It’s the same with a dog. A happy dog won’t have a tight face. Their brow won’t be furrowed, the mouth will be relaxed, around the eyes they will look relaxed. A calm, relaxed looking dog is a happy dog.


Our pets thrive on routine. So the more you can follow a routine the better. If your household has to change their routine the sooner you can get back to it the happier they will be. Start a new routine for them if necessary.


Under practices that make your dog happy add enrichment and exercise. All dogs benefit from daily exercise. It’s the activity that keeps them healthy and alert. But don’t forget enrichment or mental exercise. This is just as important. So give your pooch a puzzle game or a treat ball to play with to keep his mind sharp. Continued pet training is another way to sharpen his brain. Just because your pup is housebroken doesn’t mean he wouldn’t enjoy learning a new trick.


And finally. We know our furry pals better than anyone else. It may be necessary sometimes to stand up and advocate for them. That could mean asking a stranger not to pet your shy dog, or asking a family member to give them space. It’s part of keeping our pets in their comfort zone and happy. 


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