National Dog Week: How Do I Know if My Dog is Happy?

How Do I Know if My Dog is Happy?

Dogs express joy in small, everyday gestures. A happy dog shows relaxed, “loose” body language. Look for:

• Wiggly Tail and Whole-Body Wag: While every breed has its own natural tail position, a tail that’s wagging gently and rhythmically, often alongside a wiggly body, is a classic sign of canine happiness.
• Relaxed Ears and Soft Eyes: A content dog’s ears fall naturally (never pinned back in fear or pricked straight up in alert). Their eyes are soft, with gentle blinking rather than a fixed or hard stare. This article breaks down some examples in an easy-to-read, puppy way.
• Playfulness and “Zoomies”: Sudden bursts of joyful running, called “zoomies,” or a “play bow,” front end low, back end high, signal canine delight. Happy dogs will also often bring toys, invite fetch, or simply bounce around the yard. Jumping up can also be a sign of excitement, although many dog trainers shy away from encouraging the behavior and consider it “bad doggie manners.”
• Smiling Expressions: Many dogs “smile” with a loose, open mouth and tongue lolling out, especially when greeting favorite people or relaxing at home.

Other Signals Your Dog is Content

A happy dog is often eager to be near loved ones, leaning into petting or cuddling close on the couch. Content dogs may also:

• Request gentle affection or belly rubs
• Roll over, exposing their belly
• Respond enthusiastically to walk time or car rides, tail high with paw-tapping excitement

While it’s easy to tell when a dog is outwardly happy like in the examples above, happiness also shows in calm moments. After a busy day of play and companionship, a happy dog will seek out restful sleep, sometimes sprawled out in their favorite sunny spot or near a favorite person.

Every Dog is an Individual

Just like people, each dog has a unique way of expressing joy. Some are snugglers; others show happiness chasing squirrels at the park. At Bull City Pet Care, our team cherishes different personalities and is trained in canine body language to spot happiness, stress, anxiety, defensiveness, and more. We do all we can to keep dogs happy by meeting their needs, engaging with them on their terms, and respecting their space when requested.

During National Dog Week and every week, we notice your dog’s tail, eyes, and playful spirit and ensure that we nurture them in a way that makes them feel loved and happy.

The Best Dog Walkers in Durham

Join the Bull City Pet Care family by contacting us via bullcitypetsitting@gmail.com or 919-740-7481. We offer dog walking, dog sitting, and specialty services, including nail trims and medical assistance. You can also get started by clicking this link to schedule your meet and greet.

We proudly serve the following areas of Durham: Downtown, Lakewood, Tuscaloosa, Old West Durham, Old North Durham, Northgate Park, Watts-Hillandale, Trinity Park, Duke Park, Erwin/LaSalle, North Durham, Southside, Croasdaile, Walltown, Braggtown, Historic East Durham, Hope Valley, and Forest Hills.