Our dogs give us so much happiness we as owners often wonder what makes a happy dog and repay the happiness they give. We may think that our dogs are just happy little fluff balls all the time, but they are sad sometimes, and it’s up to us to cheer our pups up.
How to tell when your pup isn’t happy?
When it comes to dogs, most people conjure images of a wagging tail and happy smiley faces, but dogs aren’t happy all the time. The best way to know when your dog isn’t happy is to know your dog. It’s all about reading their body language.
If you know your dog well, you’ll notice any slight change in their body language that will indicate they’re not happy.
3 top tips to cheer up your dog
Finding things to make my dog happy generally revolves around three simple things:
1. Treats
As soon as that treat packet opens, my pup instantly gets excited, especially if it’s his favourite treats. Treats aren’t my primary option for cheering my dog up because I don’t want him to put on weight.
2. Toys
Giving him his favourite toy will usually instantly lift my pup's spirits. He especially loves a squeaky toy because he loves to squeak his toys.
3. Time Together
Whether it’s playing tug, playing fetch, or just going for a walk, spending time together will always lift my pup’s spirits. Even just snuggling on the couch helps cheer him up.
But don’t Mistake Happiness for Anxiety
You need to be careful when it comes to your pup, as you can confuse happiness and anxiety. Sometimes my dog will have a wagging tail and a smiling face, but I still know he’s not happy because he’s tense or he’s drooling more than he normally does. This is why knowing your dog’s body language well will always help you know when they’re happy and when you need to cheer them up.
Doing whatever we can to repay our dogs for the happiness they give us will also make us happy.