Understanding Your Dog’s True Emotions

Dog owners often wish for a quiet companion that rarely barks, settles easily, and causes no trouble. However, a canine behavior expert emphasizes that silence does not reveal much about a dog’s feelings. The belief that “a quiet dog is a happy, well-behaved dog” can be deceptive since quietness is a behavior, not an emotion, according to Ali Smith, a canine behavior consultant at Maven.

Quiet tells us very little about how someone is actually feeling, Smith told Newsweek. They might be content, but they might also be anxious, overwhelmed, frightened, exhausted or feel like they can’t safely express themselves. Dogs are the same. Instead of focusing on a dog’s vocal activity, Smith encourages owners to observe the dog’s body language and situational context.

Interpreting Body Language

One significant mistake is judging a dog’s emotional state based on one behavior instead of the complete picture, adds Smith. Dogs communicate mainly through body language, so a dog can be silent yet show they are uncomfortable.

Noisy dogs shouldn’t automatically be deemed badly behaved. They might be excited, frustrated, worried, under-stimulated, or simply trying to communicate, said Smith. Quietness is just a tiny piece of information.

Calm vs. Shut Down

A genuinely relaxed dog often appears physically soft and comfortable. Smith explains calm dogs move freely, breathe normally, blink naturally, sniff their surroundings, explore, and willingly interact with people or treats.

In contrast, a dog that has shut down may freeze, avoid interaction, carry tension in their face and body, keep their tail low or tucked, pin their ears back, hesitate to move, or appear as if they are waiting for life to happen around them instead of participating.

Owners should consider if a dog is choosing to be still or if they feel they have no other option. Smith advises looking at the whole dog, not just one behavior.

The Subtle Signs Owners Miss

Dogs often show discomfort long before resorting to growling or barking. Early stress signs include lip licking, yawning, turning the head away, avoiding eye contact, freezing, lifting a paw, displaying whale eye, holding the mouth tightly closed, carrying a stiff tail, adopting a low body posture, excessive sniffing, or seeking an exit.

None of these behaviors alone necessarily signal stress, but several signs together, especially in relation to a person, place, or situation, paint a clearer picture.

Misconceptions About Rescue Dogs

This misunderstanding is common with newly adopted rescue dogs. Initially, owners may describe a new rescue as unusually calm, but after weeks, they find the dog begins barking, playing, or seeking attention. The dog may finally feel safe enough to be themselves.

What initially appears as calmness might reflect uncertainty or overwhelm as the dog adjusts to its new environment. Smith warns against labeling a newly adopted dog as naturally laid-back too soon. While some breeds may have calmer tendencies, a dog’s personality and emotional state matter more than breed stereotypes.

Building an Emotionally Healthy Dog

Smith encourages owners to move away from aiming for a “perfectly behaved” pet. Instead, focus on raising a dog that communicates its feelings. An emotionally healthy dog expresses when they are excited, worried, frustrated, or uncomfortable. This is information, not automatically bad behavior.

Rather than rewarding silence, owners should observe the dog’s ears, eyes, mouth, tail, muscles, breathing, movement, and surroundings to comprehend their feelings.

Ultimately, it’s about building a relationship where humans and dogs can live happily together for many years, emphasizing understanding, not suppression.