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My sensitive little rescue dog, Annie, isn’t a fan of bustling, noisy cities—and neither am I, to be honest. We’re fortunate enough, however, to enjoy a tranquil mountain lifestyle. It’s in this environment that I would describe Annie as being truly happy, and it’s one reason I chose to base myself here. How do I help her continue to feel content? By focusing on meeting her needs, understanding her breed traits and individual personality, and reading her body language.
They expose their belly to you
“A dog that exposes its belly to you—usually with a slightly open mouth, light panting, and wagging tail—[is exhibiting] a sign of trust,” says Evelyn Kass-Williamson, DVM, an integrative veterinarian who specializes in pet nutrition. It’s also a sign that your dog would be delighted to get a little belly rub. If you’ve got a feline in your family, too, exposing her belly also one of the sure signs your cat trusts you—though she might not actually want a belly rub.
Dogs who exhibit destructive or aggressive behaviors—such as tearing up furniture or clothing, biting, or snarling—are generally under stress, anxiety, or perhaps even bored, according to PetMD. (These behaviors may be more likely to occur when you’re away from the house, so check out these smart tips to keep your pet busy while you’re at work all day.) Conversely, when dogs exhibit good behavior, it’s a deeper sign that they’re feeling content. There are exceptions to this rule, of course, and some breeds are feistier than others, but a dog with good behavior and manners is generally a happy dog.
They greet you when you get home
Your pup may be patiently waiting for you right at the door when you turn the key in the lock—or, in many cases, is jumping up and down and barely able to contain his excitement. Whatever your dog’s personality and particular greeting style, the message is loud and clear: He’s happy you’re back. “When your dog meets you at the door, it’s a sign that you two have a positive relationship and that they are eagerly awaiting interaction with you,” says Rebecca Woodruff, an animal behavior consultant for Best Friends Animal Society. If your dog’s enthusiasm suddenly starts to wane when you come home, something could be wrong: Lethargy may be a sign that you need to call the vet.
14 Signs Your Dog is VERY Happy and Healthy
Have you ever found yourself confused by your dog’s behavior or body language? Have you ever asked yourself, “Is my dog happy?”? At some time in their lives, every devoted dog owner has wished that they could be like Dr. Doolittle and learn to speak canine!
Instead, we have to do our best to interpret your furry friend’s tail wag, bark, and head tilt and take your best guess about what your dog is trying to tell you.
However, despite the obvious language barrier, there are some surefire answers to the question “Is my dog happy”. Here are 13 signs that tell you without a doubt that your pooch is definitely happy!