Do dogs have feelings like we do? Learn some dog behavior basics
Is my dog…crying? Identify subtle dog behavior issues
So your dog just chewed up your favorite slippers and you have your stern face on, scolding your pup. It may seem like your dog is sad and regretful for the crime they’ve just committed.
What’s actually happening is your dog is responding to your emotions and reactions. There’s a debate on whether your dog is truly sad about what they did or if their sadness is in response to a loss of their normal routine. Your pup can definitely feel sad, but it may not be for the reason you think. Your pup may be sad because you are now mad at them, not because they just demolished your shoe. Dogs feel shameful, but they don’t feel sorry.
Also, if you think you are seeing tears from your pup, this is actually impossible because it’s impossible for them to cry. In fact, crying could indicate an underlying condition that you should ask your vet about.
Your dog may help you when you’re stressed, but they can feel stress too. Keep on a lookout for dog behavior changes
Your pup watches your posture, movements, and vocalizations to communicate with you. These forms of communication can be difficult for your pup to interpret and may end up in confusion, thus causing your pet stress out as they watch your reactions. Detecting that your dog is stressed or anxious may be hard to do, since they show their feelings differently than humans do. Here are some behaviors to look out for that may indicate your dog is feeling stressed: panting, shaking, freezing, licking their nose or lips–similar to how humans bite their nails when nervous, hiding under furniture, pacing around, lifting a paw, excessive salivation. If you notice your dog exhibiting these behaviors frequently, take them out of the current situation they’re in or ask your vet about it.
Happy dog, happy life!
One of the best parts of having a dog is witnessing their joy and enjoying life with them.
Your emotions and facial expressions when happy are a bit different from your pups. When your dog is happy, they have a relaxed, goofy demeanor. Their eyes are slightly closed and you won’t see any of the white parts of their eyes, and their ears are relaxed — not up and alert or pinned back. If you think your dog is smiling, you’re probably wrong. When your dog is happy, their mouth is in a neutral position and not tightly pulled back. A furiously rapid tail wagging from your pup can indicate their excitement! When excited, your pup’s mouth is usually open wide with their tongue hanging out, and their legs might be doing little tippy taps while their body sways with their tail wagging.
Want to learn more about dog care and identifying dog behavior basics?
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