A Dog Is A Smile And A Tail That Wags

“A dog is a smile and a tail that wags. Everything else is not really that important ”. It will probably have happened to you too to read this aphorism that has been around for some time on the internet. This motto perfectly sums up what is meant by a happy animal. However, we want these words to serve as food for thought to meditate on what we must do, as masters, to ensure the well-being of our beloved furry pets.

Clues to tell if the dog is happy

A dog demonstrates its joy through its body: it  wags its tail cheerfully, pricks its ears, its eyes light up and it has a lively look.

But not only that: it has been shown that, while keeping proper distances, dogs express joy and happiness through expressions very similar to the smile and even the laughter of human beings.

“During the invitation to play, the jaws open revealing the tongue, the corners of the mouth are pulled back and the expression of laughter appears on the dog’s face …”

-Konrad Lorenz-

How do dogs smile?

Konrad Lorenz, founder of ethology and Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology, in his book And the man met the dog  wrote that dogs are capable of laughing: the jaws open showing the tongue, the corners of the mouth are pulled back (a smile almost to the ears) and a kind of laugh appears on the dog’s face. This expression is observed when the dog is interacting with a playmate, or when he is having fun with his owner, who treats him with affection and kindness.

How to make your dog smile and wag his tail

It is not difficult to make the dog smile. To make your beloved four-legged friend happy, you must guarantee him a good quality of life  and worry about his physical and psychological well-being. Pay attention to these factors:

• First of all you have to  respect his nature as a dog. 
• Show him how much you love him, through caresses and words.
• Establish some basic rules of coexistence at home.
• Don’t confuse him by giving him contradictory orders.
• Use positive reinforcement to educate them.
• Give them some of your time to play together.
• Stimulate him through brain games.
• Give him various toys.

Cheerful and healthy dogs

Walks with your dog are undoubtedly a good opportunity to forge the bond that unites you, but also an opportunity to make him happy. So that:

• Let him smell whatever he wants.
• Allow him to interact with his fellow men.
• Make sure you get him enough exercise.
• Spend all the time you need for this activity.
• Do not take advantage of the walks to attend to your chores, to go shopping for example, leaving the dog tied up, alone in the street.

Do not forget these other tips related to the physical health of the dog:

• Give him healthy and balanced foods.
• Always have a bowl of clean, fresh water available.
• Take him to the vet for regular visits.
• Respect and observe the pet’s vaccination course.
• Deworm him.

Other fundamental aspects to make the dog happy

It is important that the dog has a routine  and that meals and outings always take place at the same times.

In this way he will also get used to doing his business at the same time of the day.

It is essential that the dog has a comfortable kennel, placed in a quiet place in the house where he can rest and sleep all the hours he needs.

Other ways to know if your dog is happy

In addition to wagging its tail, a happy dog:

• He sleeps about 8-10 hours a day, mostly at night.
• He does not suffer from eating disorders.
• Interacts cheerfully with other animals.
• He demands games, walks and cuddles from you. 
• He has no behavioral disturbances.

Ensure happiness for your dog

So remember that it is not enough to love your dog. You have to love him with awareness. It often happens, in fact, that out of ignorance we do things that we think can be good for him and we get exactly the opposite effect.

If you notice that your four-legged friend is sad or not happy enough, don’t hesitate to ask your vet for advice.

Image courtesy of Scott Feldstein.