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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.
Species, Breed, and Personality Affect Happiness
When we’re considering what makes our dogs happy, we have to think about it on three levels. What dogs as a species need overall, what their breed traits and drives are, and the fact that they all have their own unique personalities. Often it’s as simple as thinking about appropriate ways just to let your dog be a dog.
Emily Tronetti, is an anthrozoologist, owner of Coexistence Consulting, and co-founder of the Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers. She explains that “sniffing is one of the most important behaviors that we must allow dogs to engage in every day. However, we’re often so worried about our dogs not being under our control on walks, we might not allow them to do this. This needs to change. We can train our dogs to walk loosely on leash while also allowing them the freedom to sniff and explore.”
Finding appropriate outlets for natural dog behaviors we humans aren’t generally fans of is important too. “Behaviors like digging and chewing are normal, and our dogs’ lives are more enriched when we allow them to engage in these activities. Of course, this doesn’t mean our dogs should chew our shoes or dig up the garden. We can and should provide outlets for them to do doggy things in ways that are safe and appropriate,” says Tronetti.
Breed and individual character traits also influence what might make your dog happy. “Most of the German Shepherds I’ve been around, not all of them – you have atypical ones – are pretty reserved. My Shepherd, she loved me and tolerated everyone else. So, to take her to a cocktail party every evening or fill my house with guests all the time would have been not just stupid on my part; it would have made her very uncomfortable. Whereas my Terriers were party animals—you could have had a party every night, and they would have been fine,” says Aloff.
They assume the “play bow” position
The “play bow” is a common position that dogs assume when they’re feeling happy and playful. What is it, exactly? “The front end is down, tail is straight up and may be wagging, ears are forward, eyes are steady on you,” says Dr. Kass-Williamson. “The play bow is a clear invitation to play, chase, or wrestle.” Make sure you know these other 19 things your dog wants from you, too.
A dog that’s eager to chow down is generally feeling happy, healthy, and content. If your pup refuses to eat or has a diminished appetite, it could be a sign that they’re not feeling well, or that they’re experiencing anxiety or stress. It could also be something more serious. If your pup isn’t eating like his or her usual self, talk to your vet. Here are some other possible reasons that your dog might not be eating.
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!