Dogs are simply incredible, arenβt they? While itβs tough to put into words just how much joy they bring into our lives, research suggests that having a canine companion can reduce feelings of loneliness, alleviate stress and anxiety, and even extend our lifespan.
With everything our furry companions do for us, how can we make sure theyβre truly happy? And since they canβt directly communicate their feelings, how can we tell if weβre on the right track? Does a wagging tail or affectionate licking really indicate contentment?
Thatβs exactly what we β Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, co-hosts of HuffPost’s βAm I Doing It Wrong?β podcast β explored in a recent conversation with Dr. Emily Levine, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and the owner of the Animal Behavior Clinic of New Jersey. According to Levine, a wagging tail isnβt always a sign of happiness. βYou have to look at the whole dog, not just their tail. Some dogs can wag while displaying aggressive behavior,β she explained.
Different tail movements convey different emotions, Levine added. βThe speed, looseness, or stiffness of the wag, as well as the direction itβs moving, all reveal varied emotional states,β she said.
A wagging tail simply signals that the dog is excited, but whether that excitement is good or bad depends on their full body language and the surrounding situation. βIf their whole rear end is swaying from side to side, thatβs a great sign theyβre feeling happy,β Levine noted.
She also mentioned βthe happy face,β describing it as a dogβs mouth being slightly open with a relaxed tongue and overall loose posture.
What about those affectionate licks? βDogs can lick your face for a number of reasons,β Levine explained. βSometimes itβs just pure excitement, like a greeting. Thereβs also a theory called βkiss to dismiss,β which suggests that dogs may be asking for space, but thatβs not confirmed yet. Licking could be positive or not β we still have a lot to learn.β
In the end, the key is understanding your dogβs body language. βDogs are always expressing how they feel; we just need to learn how to read them. No one is born knowing this, so owners shouldnβt feel bad. There are plenty of resources available, including videos on body language, to help understand canine communication.β
We also discussed key insights on petting, the different types of walks every dog should experience, and so much more.