Dog owners often desire a quiet companion who rarely barks and behaves well. However, canine behavior expert Ali Smith highlights that silence alone reveals little about a dog’s feelings. The assumption that ‘a quiet dog is a happy dog’ can be misleading. Quietness is a behavior, not an emotion.
Smith emphasizes that quietness does not indicate a dog’s emotional state. A quiet dog might be content, but it could also be anxious, frightened, or overwhelmed. Dogs use body language more than vocal sounds to communicate.
Smith explains that assessing a dog’s emotional state requires looking beyond one behavior. Dogs can be silent yet uncomfortable, highlighting the importance of observing body language and context.
Noisy dogs, on the other hand, should not automatically be considered badly behaved. Barking or noise can signify excitement, frustration, worry, or a need to communicate.
Calm vs. Shut Down
A truly calm dog appears soft and at ease, moving freely and engaging with the environment. In contrast, a shut-down dog shows signs like freezing, avoiding interaction, tensed body, low or tucked tail, and hesitation.
Smith advises asking whether a dog chooses stillness or feels it has no alternative.
Subtle Signs Owners Miss
Dogs often indicate discomfort before growling or barking. Early signs include lip licking, yawning, turning away, avoiding eye contact, freezing, lifting a paw, ‘whale eye,’ stiff tail, low posture, excessive sniffing, or seeking an exit.
Smith urges owners to observe multiple behaviors together to understand stress.
Why Rescue Dogs Can Seem ‘Easy’
Newly adopted rescue dogs might appear calm initially, leading owners to misunderstand their behavior. The dog may simply be adjusting to a new environment. Smith warns against quickly labeling rescues as naturally laid-back, as initial calmness could mask uncertainty.
Building an Emotionally Healthy Dog
Smith hopes owners prioritize raising dogs who feel safe expressing themselves rather than striving for perfect behavior. An emotionally healthy dog communicates its feelings, using these expressions as information rather than viewing them as bad behavior.
Smith advocates for building relationships where humans and dogs coexist happily, emphasizing understanding over suppressing.