How to tell if your dog is happy - or unhappy - or even feeling aggressive. Why it's about more than a wagging tail

How to tell if your dog is happy - or unhappy - or even feeling aggressive. Why it's about more than a wagging tail

From wagging tails to playful behaviour, find out what makes your dog feel loved and content

Published: December 18, 2024 at 4:08 pm

We all know good communication isn't just about the words we use, and when it comes to our dogs, they are generally reliant on their body language to let you know how they are feeling, says PDSA veterinary nurse Gemma Renwick said:.

How to understand what a dog is thinking

Paying attention to your dog’s body language, including their face, posture and tail position is a great way to understand how what they might be trying to tell you, and how they feel. Knowing what their body language is saying helps you to learn what they enjoy, and what they might not enjoy so much. 

Understanding what they are telling you is also really beneficial for keeping your dog away from situations they don’t like and for providing the things they do like. 

A high and waggy tail is probably the most well-known sign your dog is happy, however, look out for the other signs that accompany this. If your dog has floppy ears, a relaxed body, including loose shoulders, soft eyes without a fixed gaze, and a dose of ‘wiggliness’ or pure ‘flopped outness’, or if they’re leaning into you for attention, these are all great signs that your dog is in a good mood.

Whilst a waggy tail may indicate happiness, you do need to be aware of the other signs your dog is showing, as well as thinking about the context they are happening in – try to work out whether your dog is more likely to be happy or worried to help you interpret their signs.

Does a wagging tail always mean your dog is happy?

The way your dog wags their tail can also convey different meanings, as well as excitement and pleasure, a waggy tail can also indicate your dog is on high ‘alert’, which may not always be a positive sign. While wiggly, happy, high tail wags are generally associated with good feelings, low or slow wags can be a sign of fear or insecurity.

It’s not just the tail though - there are other signs to look out for to help you recognise if your dog is scared or unhappy. Knowing the signs of unhappiness means owners have a chance to change the surroundings or situation so their dog can feel comfortable again and avoid any escalation to showcasing confrontational behaviours, which could happen if these signs are ignored. Sometimes, if a dog has learned over time that their early signs of unhappiness isn’t listened to, they may resort to more obvious signs which could include a growl, snap or even bite. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what your dog is trying to tell you and help get them out of stressful situations.

Signs your dog is unhappy

• Low or tucked tail - a stressed or unhappy dog may tuck their tail between their legs rather than wagging it high in the air. Remember a wagging tail doesn’t always mean a happy dog though.

• Tense body - a worried dog will look tense rather than relaxed in the way that they hold themselves. They might shrink away, hold their head low and avoid eye contact by looking away If your dog goes very still, like a statue, that usually means they’re getting uncomfortable.

• Ears are back - if your dog is stressed or anxious, their ears may seem pinned back and flat against their head.

• Turning away from you - if your dog is unhappy with something you or someone else is doing, they’ll try to turn their head away from you.

• Appeasement behaviour - your dog might roll over onto their back but stay stiff and still once there rather than doing it in the relaxed way seen when they flop back for belly rubs after playing. This means they’re worried and trying to let you know they aren’t any sort of a threat to you. 

• Lip licking and ‘yawning’ - repeatedly licking their lips or ‘yawning’ can also be signs your dog feels uncomfortable with the situation.

• Hiding and walking away - if your dog is unhappy at something or someone making them stressed, they may try to hide behind you or another object or take themselves off to another area if they can. Let them do this as your dog is letting you know they need time-out.

Signs of confrontational behaviours in dogs

Sometimes, when our dogs get very unhappy, feel threatened or extremely frightened, they feel like they have to resort to confrontational behaviour because, to them, it seems like there’s no other way out of a situation.

There are a range of reasons and situations which might cause a dog to feel threatened and these will be different for each dog. If a dog is in pain, this could also mean they are more likely to feel anxious and are at a higher risk of lashing out. 

The most important thing to look out for are the changes in body language, which will help you to identify if a dog is struggling in a certain situation. A dog is more likely to resort to showcasing confrontational behaviours if the signs that they are unhappy and worried have been ignored, so keep a close eye out for those too. 

Signs that a dog may feel they have to show confrontational behaviours very soon include:

• Stiff tail - a worried dog may have a stiff, straight tail that seems to shake rather than wag. Others may tuck their tail behind them.

• Body position - dogs may stand alert with a stiff, tall body position and their head pointed upwards towards you. However, they might also lower their body to the ground cowering whilst baring their teeth, or shift their weight to the back of their body so they can spring.

• Ears are forward or flat - their ears may be pointing forwards or be pulled flat against their head, rather than being floppy and relaxed.

• Eye contact - a dog showing confrontational behaviours will stare humans or other dogs straight in the eye, with a fixed stare. If a dog ever becomes still and stares straight at you, stop interacting immediately until the dog calms down.

• Baring teeth - a dog showing confrontational behaviours may bare their teeth and growl as a warning. Never ignore these signs as growls can quickly turn into bites if the dog still feels threatened and is unable to escape. However just because a dog hasn’t growled doesn’t mean they won’t bite, so keep a close eye out for the other signs too.

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