8 Signs That Show Your Dog Is Happy

As pet parents, we want to do everything in our power to ensure that our little familiars are happy and healthy. We agonize over which food to buy, take them on as many outdoor adventures as possible, and squeak every toy at the pet store to see which one our babies might like best. But how do we know if our dogs are happy — you know, like, really happy?

It’s easy to tell with humans. Are we smiling? Jumping up and down? Do we have a nice, big ice cream cone in our hands? All signs point to elation. With dogs, however, it’s a little more complicated. We all know to look for a wagging tail, but in reality, canine communication is a lot more sophisticated than that. (And actually, depending on how your dog is wagging their tail, that, too, could indicate a problem.)

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To know if your dog is truly satisfied with their life, or even just this afternoon, you need a more nuanced frame of reference.

According to Dr. Alison Gerken, veterinary behaviorist at the San Francisco SPCA, dogs mainly use their bodies to communicate and sometimes add in vocalizations when their emotional state gets heightened. (For example: When your dog is already excited for playtime, and you tease them with a toy, they might begin to bark.) 

“When dog parents understand their dog’s communication cues,” Gerken says, “they can better determine whether the dog is content in the long term.” It doesn’t take a mind reader to know how our pets are feeling. Here are some of the clearest signals that your dog is living their best life.

How to know if your dog is happy

Dogs express their emotions in a variety of ways — including through their posture, facial expressions, body movements, and vocalizations like barking or chirping. Put the entire package together, and you’ll start to get a clear idea of how your best bud is feeling.

Loose “spaghetti noodle” posture

“Interpreting a dog’s body language involves looking at each body part individually, but also considering how these parts work together in the context of the dog’s environment and past experiences,” Gerken says. To get started, check out what their whole body looks like.

If your dog is really chilled out, their body should look relaxed and loose, Gerken says — “much like a perfectly cooked spaghetti noodle.” Che carino!

Relaxed ears

Next, move on to the ears. If your dog is feeling blissful, they should be nice and floppy. On the other hand, if your dog is feeling frightened or stressed, you might notice them tucking their ears tightly against their skull. A vigilant dog might prick their ears up to better hear their surroundings and perhaps even move them around like periscopes. 

Wagging tail (sometimes)

Apparently, a tail wag does not always indicate a good time. “While it can signify that a dog is happy,” Gerken says, “dogs can also wag their tails when they are stressed or about to become aggressive.” As for how to tell which is which? It’s all in the movement.

If your dog’s tail wag is slow and sweeping, you’re in the clear. Ditto for dogs who wag their whole rump along with their tail. That’s the kind of joy we all hope to achieve. Sometimes, perfectly satisfied dogs don’t wag their tails at all. If your dog is calm, their tail might either hang behind them or run parallel to their back.

On the other hand, Gerken cautions, a “stiff or quick wag, or a wag at just the tip of the tail, can indicate fear.” 

Soft eyes

You know those goofy, squinty eyes dogs sometimes make — the kind that inspire memes like “ stoner dog?” Those are a very good sign that much like, well, a stereotypical stoner, your dog has reached a very chill plane of existence. Bonus points if your dog’s mouth is open with the corners gently lifted. Rest assured, they’re having a good time, maaan. But if your pup isn’t feeling all the peace and love and is stressed, their eyes may be rounder with dilated pupils. This look may be accompanied by a furrowed brow.

Dangling tongue

For clarity, this is less of a willful Gene Simmons tongue and more of a cartoon-dog tongue. 

According to Gerken, happy dogs might let their tongues hang loose, “giving the appearance of a smile.” By contrast, an uncomfortable dog might show you “a stiff, tightly closed mouth, possibly with the corners pulled tightly to the sides like a clown-face.”

Chipper chirping

Barking does not always signal cheerfulness, but in some situations, that’s exactly what it means. Much like the tail wagging, it depends on context and execution.

“When dogs are happy or excited they may make high-pitched, quick barks or joyful yelps,” says Gerken. At the same time, she adds, “it’s important to remember that barking can have various meanings and express many emotions.”

To figure out what kind of bark you’re hearing, check back in with your dog’s body language and use context clues to get a better sense of what stimulus might have prompted the barking. If you see that your pup is exuberant, and you’re doing something they like, chances are they are excitedly sharing their happiness with you.

Good energy

There is no one-size-fits-all answer here. Depending on your dog’s age, breed, and temperament, their usual energy level will vary. Once you know their general baseline, you can begin to gauge whether their energy and engagement seems normal.

A happy dog will respond to your environment in the usual ways — joining in on activities like walks, playtime, and socializing consistent with their past behavior. If your dog suddenly seems more energetic than usual, frantic, or agitated, Gerken says, “this may be a sign of anxiety, while a lack of energy or a reluctance to engage in activities could suggest emotional stress or illness.” 

If your dog seems withdrawn or lethargic for an extended period of time, it might be time to schedule a vet visit to make sure something deeper isn’t going on.

A happy dance

We’ve all probably seen this at some point. From prancing before dinnertime to the hippity-hoppity greetings we sometimes get after a long day of work, this is the cutest way our dogs communicate that they are pleased. Per Gerken, “A play bow, where a dog lowers their chest to the ground and lifts their rear, is another classic sign of joy.” 

Put together, all of these signs can give us a good idea of how content our dogs are in the short-term. But this doesn’t necessarily answer the broader question that keeps me up at night: Are my dogs truly happy with their lives? Gerken offers an answer that, frankly, got me feeling a little existential: “Happiness is not about always being joyful but about experiencing a healthy balance of positive emotions with fewer moments and intensity of stress or anxiety.” Ain’t that the truth?

No dog’s life is perfect, but a happy dog will engage in their day-to-day lives with enthusiasm — seizing the day (and every ball they can get their teeth on, if they’re into that sort of thing) with gusto. As should we all.