Curious Historian

By Ian Banks | May 4, 2024

Animal behaviorist

Naturally, we all desire our furry companions to experience pure happiness, but recognizing what happiness entails for dogs can be a bit challenging. 
 

Research on positive emotions in dogs, such as happiness, is limited, as highlighted in a report in Frontiers in Psychology. According to Marc Bekoff, PhD, a renowned animal behaviorist and former professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, “happy dogs look happy.”
 

Dog behavior

Although this may hold true, it's important to keep in mind that you have the deepest understanding of your dog compared to anyone else. “Any interpretations of dog behavior depend on each dog’s personality,” he says. “There often aren’t cut-and-dry answers, so knowing your dog’s personality will help you know their feelings.”
 

Overt joy

During my childhood, our family dog would exhibit bursts of energy, known as the "zoomies," when he was joyful – a lively 85-pound mix of Labrador, greyhound, and Doberman racing around the Ping-Pong table. While overt joy may be easy to recognize, other indicators of happiness can be more subtle. 
 

Gently and slowly

“Using a wagging tail as a sole indicator of a dog’s emotional state can be tricky,” cautions Bekoff. If your dog's tail wag indicates aggression and it is showing its teeth, then the dog is likely feeling aggressive, not happy. Conversely, when the dog wags its tail gently and slowly, and its facial expression is happy with a soft gaze and relaxed mouth, it is probably feeling content and happy. Looking at these cues together “is a more reliable indicator of what a dog is feeling,” he says.
 

Muscles at ease

While on a walk, a joyful dog will appear relaxed with all muscles at ease. A happy dog during a stroll will exhibit a carefree, lively, and fluid walking style, according to Bekoff. Additionally, it will engage in typical dog activities like sniffing plants and flowers, interacting with other amiable dogs, and greeting passersby.
 

Leisurely investigate

Joyful dogs leisurely investigate their surroundings during walks, savoring each moment. If your dog is content during a walk, issues like pulling on the leash or walking ahead of you rather than beside you should not be a concern.
 

Join the fun

When dogs are happy and playful, they may lower their chest to the floor with their rear end up in the air, a posture known as a play bow. This gesture is a signal that they are eager to play and are inviting you to join in the fun! They might use this stance before a play session or during one to express their desire to continue playing.
 

Gentle

Drawing from Bekoff's expertise in canine emotions and my extensive veterinary background, we aim to unravel the mystery of dog happiness. In the following sections, we delve into 12 common signs that indicate a dog is happy. A content dog often displays a gentle gaze with eyes wide open, according to Bekoff. They may also engage in frequent blinking, conveying their happiness.
 

Strengthening the bond

The gentle gaze from your dog not only signifies love and affection but also has the ability to trigger the release of oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," in their owner. A study in Science revealed that oxytocin plays a vital role in strengthening the bond of affection between you and your canine companion. When dogs gaze at us, our oxytocin levels rise, reciprocally elevating the oxytocin levels in dogs as well.
 

Reveal their teeth

A contented dog often displays a relaxed, open mouth with a tongue hanging out, signaling their happiness. As per Bekoff, happy dogs exhibit a relaxed jaw and may appear to be smiling with the corners of their mouth turned upwards. They may also reveal their teeth when their mouth is open and relaxed, but in a non-aggressive manner (without bared teeth or curled-back lips).
 

Calm body posture

Furthermore, a happy dog with an open and relaxed mouth typically maintains a calm body posture with no signs of heavy or rapid breathing, distinguishing it from panting. Panting in dogs may indicate exertion, anxiety, or underlying medical issues that require attention.
 

Neutral or slightly raised position

To determine if your dog is happy, observe its tail movement. A calm and relaxed tail wag signifies happiness in a dog. Happy dogs wag their tails slowly and in a broad motion, keeping the tail in a neutral or slightly raised position. On the other hand, an aggressive dog will wag its tail rapidly, with the tail arched over its back. Anxious dogs may wag their tails to the left as a sign of unease.
 

Lively activities

Ensure to consider your dog's tail wag in conjunction with other emotional signals, like body posture, movement, and facial expressions. In essence, when your dog performs a play bow, it indicates they are full of energy and enthusiastic about engaging in lively activities like fetch. While dogs can play rough with each other, a playful stance towards you does not necessarily mean they want rough play; they simply want to be active and enjoy themselves.
 

Their happiness

The happy dance is not exclusive to particular dog breeds. However, due to dogs having unique personalities and temperaments, not all happy dogs will perform the happy dance. Some relaxed dogs may express their happiness through a gentle tail wag or a soft gaze instead.
 

Family member

When our dog began sprinting around the Ping-Pong table, we could tell he was filled with pure joy. When a dog experiences the zoomies (yes, that's the technical term), they are having spontaneous bursts of excitement to release built-up energy. This surplus energy can stem from various sources, like the thrill of a beloved family member returning home or the relief of finishing a bath.
 

Signs of happiness

Conversely, dogs may also get the zoomies when feeling anxious or uneasy. However, if your dog starts darting around the yard or inside the house while also displaying other signs of happiness, you can be confident that they are happy and enjoying life to the fullest.
 

Physical touch

Who doesn't enjoy a calming snuggle session with their dog? Happy dogs crave physical touch from their owners, whether it's cuddling on the couch or nudging your hand for a head pat. Our dog used to lean his whole body against us when he felt joyful and wanted to be near.
 

Cuddles or closeness

Each dog is unique, so remember that not all happy dogs will seek cuddles or closeness with their owners. Even those who enjoy physical contact may not need hours of closeness; a few minutes could be sufficient to fulfill their desire for closeness.
 

Consult a vet

A happy dog that prefers solitude is nothing to worry about. However, if your dog shows signs of unhappiness or depression, such as changes in eating and sleeping habits, it's advisable to consult a vet for further assessment. A happy dog will have a healthy appetite and eagerly devour their food at meal times. According to Bekoff, dogs, like us, are in better moods and less irritable when their stomachs are full. A decrease in appetite or refusal to eat might indicate an underlying physical or emotional health issue that requires attention.
 

Habis and appetite

Just like with other dog behaviors, each dog has its unique eating habits and appetite. Some dogs may enthusiastically rush to their food bowl, while others may nibble on a few pieces of kibble when they feel like it. While eating well can suggest a contented dog, it is not a definitive indicator of happiness.
 

Destructive behavior

Determining if your dog is happy involves observing their behavior. Happy dogs are less likely to exhibit destructive behavior, such as chewing on your belongings or destroying pillows in your absence. However, even a happy dog may engage in some mischief. For instance, a curious puppy exploring its surroundings might view your couch cushion as a suitable item to chew on and strengthen its jaw muscles.
 

Basic commands

It's important to understand that dogs don't perceive their actions as destructive or wrong, so it's essential to differentiate between good and bad behavior. Good behavior includes positive actions we want our dogs to display, like obeying basic commands ("sit," "stay"), using the bathroom outside, and walking calmly on a leash. On the other hand, bad behavior encompasses undesirable actions such as biting and urinating indoors.
 

Underlying issues

Negative behaviors in dogs do not necessarily indicate unhappiness. However, a dog that typically exhibits good behavior but suddenly starts misbehaving may be signaling an underlying issue, such as separation anxiety. This condition can be addressed through behavioral training and, in some cases, the use of anti-anxiety medication.
 

Happy adult dogs

Just like humans, dogs can also feel irritable or unhappy when they don't get enough sleep or if their sleep is interrupted. According to Bekoff, happy adult dogs typically get around 12 hours of sleep per day. “Sleep is essential to dogs, just as it is for us,” says Bekoff. It aids in brain development, memory retention, and boosts the immune system. Additionally, sleep plays a vital role in helping dogs, particularly puppies, recover from a day filled with play and physical activity. Adequate sleep is essential for dogs to uphold their overall physical and mental well-being.
 

Dogs find joy

Curious about your dog's happiness? Happy dogs find joy in spending time with friendly dogs and people. If your dog delights in social interactions like romping around the dog park with other furry friends, you can be assured that your dog is content and in good spirits.
 

Preference for solitude

However, some dogs are perfectly happy in solitude when they are feeling joyful. They may not feel the need to visit the dog park or engage in playdates with other dogs. If your dog is happy but prefers to be alone rather than socializing, there is no cause for alarm. Certain breeds, such as greyhounds, basset hounds, and Bernese mountain dogs, are more independent and enjoy their own company. If you have one of these breeds, their preference for solitude does not necessarily indicate unhappiness.
 

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