Everyone wants a happy, fulfilled fluffy family member. Happy dogs. Happy times together. How do we know if our dog is happy, and what happiness is for them? Veterinary behaviorists and researchers, Dr. Niwako Ogata, at Purdue University, defines happiness as overall “abundance”. She says, three key components of happiness – emotional, cognitive and physical health – must be considered in order to answer, ‘Is my dog happy?’
Signs of a happy dog
The emotional and cognitive components often do a better job of describing everyday states of happiness, she says. If you want to know if your dog is happy, look for these signs:
- Is content and gratifying in a home environment
- Can relax and stretch out at home.
- Has a balanced personality and can deal with new situations
- Ready to try and join you in new activities or learn something new
- Being physically healthy overall
“Since there are so many ways we can interpret happiness (joy versus excitement, versus contentment, etc.), so there can be many different ways for dogs to express happiness.” Real-world dog enrichment and co-owners harmonious pet.
Dogs express happiness through:
- Signaling
- Loose, relaxed body language
- Behavioral diversity (showing a wide range of behaviors)
- Demonstrate typical canine behaviors in healthy, safe, and appropriate ways
“I think it’s important to remember that content is only a temporary state of existence. It’s not a personality trait or something that can last forever without changing. Individuals fluctuate between different emotional states,” says Allie.
Signs of a happy, relaxed dog include:
- Deep breath
- Rest or sleep
- Low resting heart rate (If your dog is on top of you like many others, this can often be felt.)
Specific body parts like tails or ears are important for reading body language cues, but don’t quite answer ‘Is my dog happy?’
For example, a slow, relaxed tail wag might indicate happiness, but an aggressive dog barking at a stranger while wagging its tail is “a more negative arousal excitement that does not necessarily bring happiness.” excitement for you,” said Dr. Ogata. You cannot judge a dog by its tail.
Happiness also depends on the context. Environmental factors affect health, even in the short term. Much depends on the individual dog. Balanced personalities around the house can be an entirely different matter for a sound-sensitive puppy at a parade.
“Just like a human being, there are many preferences and inclinations,” says Dr. Ogata. Adjusting to those moments of dissatisfaction, as emotional stress ultimately affects their immune response, is often seen as the gateway to illness. Long-term stress (even boredom) takes a toll on the physical, just like us, she says.
To learn more about chronic stress, see Stress by Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPST-KA on Dogster’s sister publication Complete dog magazine .
Emotional, cognitive, and physical health all play a role in answering the question ‘Is my dog happy?’ Paying attention to those moments of comfort, contentment will help you decide how and when to adjust to life together.
