Knowing your dog's feelings at any moment can be challenging, but it's possible too. So to help you identify when your pet is happy or sad, we've assembled a list of seven tell-tale signs that your dog is happy or sad.
Dogs are simple creatures, and their emotions can be read on their furry faces. The signs are subtle, but it'll be easy to see once you know what to look out for! Here are the seven tell-tale signs your dog is happy or sad.
Ears
Your dog's ears will tell you what they're feeling, and it's pretty simple. If your dog is happy and excited, its ears will go up and point to the side. But if your pup is sad or scared, its ears will go down. So next time you see your furry friend with their ears pointing forward, know they are content and relaxed.
Mouth
If your dog is happy, its mouth will be open with a smile, and its tongue will be visible. If they are sad, the corners of their mouth may droop down, and their teeth may be on display. Of course, this is only sometimes the case, as some dogs are more expressive with their body language than others. But if you're observant enough, you can tell what your pup's feeling! A wagging tail paired with an open mouth means happiness or joy, while a closed mouth that only slightly opens when excited implies something else.
In an instance where there is aggression, such as growling or baring teeth, it could mean either excitement or anger (or both), depending on how it's acted out.
Similarly, for affectionate behaviors such as licking someone's face or wagging their tail rapidly, the meaning depends on context:
- enthusiasm and happiness from play
- love and appeasement from those that were ignored for too long
- fear of being petted aggressively
- anxiety from being confined to the backseat during a car ride
- curiosity from sniffing another animal's butt
- interest in chewing furniture (probably has something to do with boredom).
Eyes
Most people know that when a dog is happy, his eyes will be squinted, and wagging his tail. However, dogs show their emotions through their eyes as well. Sad dogs have droopy, dark circles around their eyes. Likewise, when a dog is bored or upset, its eyes may appear low or look at you with a dull expression. Other signs of sadness include yawning or looking away from you and licking their lips often.
On the other hand, when a dog is happy and content, its eyes will be bright, comprehensive, and alert. They may also appear sparkly, with the pupils dilated, and you may even see a slight twinkle in their eyes. When a dog is particularly excited, its eyes will be wide open and blinking quickly. You will get the idea if your pup is pleased and content.
Body Language
Just like humans, dogs have body language that can indicate how they feel. The first thing to look for is its ears: when a dog is happy, its ears will be up; when a dog is sad, its ears will be down. So if you pet the dog and they have an instant change in mood from happy to sad (especially if the ears are still down), If you see this behavior in your pup, go ahead and stop petting them for a little bit until they relax again.
Tail
The movement and wagging of your dog's tail can be a great indicator of its emotional state. For example, when your pup feels happy and content, its tail will usually be held high and move in a loose, sweeping motion. On the other hand, when they're feeling stressed or unhappy, their seat may be tucked between their legs, moving slowly or not at all. So be sure to take note of your pup's tail for an insight into how they feel.
Voice
Dogs have various vocalizations they use to communicate and are often relatively easy to interpret. When your pup is in a good mood, it will likely make cheerful yips, chirps, and light barking noises. However, you may hear a low moan or whine when your puppy is feeling down. Paying close attention to how your pup vocalizes can be a handy tool for determining their overall emotional state.
Scent
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. The way a dog scents can tell you a lot about what he's feeling and how he feels about the people around him.
Scenting: Dogs will always be drawn to things that smell like them. So they'll often sniff themselves or other dogs to get a whiff of their scent.
While it's easy to tell if your dog is happy to see you, there are some subtler signs you might miss if you need help knowing what to look for. Paying close attention can tell your dog's mood and whether they are enjoying their day. 7 tell-tale signs your dog is happy or sad, depending on the situation they find themselves in.
