Understanding Your Dog’s True Emotions Through Behavior

Many dog owners dream of having a quiet companion who rarely barks, settles easily, and remains trouble-free. Yet, canine behavior expert Ali Smith asserts silence alone reveals little about a dog’s emotional state. The notion that “a quiet dog is a happy, well-behaved dog” is misleading. Quietness is a behavior, not an emotion, according to Smith, a canine behavior consultant at Maven.

Quiet tells us very little about how someone is actually feeling, Smith told Newsweek. They might be content, but they might also be anxious, overwhelmed, frightened, exhausted, or feel like they can’t safely express themselves. Dogs are the same.

Instead of judging a dog by its vocal levels, Smith advises owners to observe body language and context.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people judging a dog’s emotional state from one behavior instead of looking at the whole picture, she said. Dogs primarily communicate through body language, enabling a silent dog to indicate discomfort.

Barking dogs should not automatically be deemed misbehaved. They might be excited, frustrated, worried, under-stimulated or simply trying to communicate, Smith explained. For me, quietness is never the full answer. It’s one tiny piece of information.

Calm vs. Shut Down

A truly relaxed dog presents as physically soft and comfortable. Smith described calm dogs as those that move freely, breathe normally, blink naturally, sniff their surroundings, explore, and willingly engage with people or treats. In contrast, a dog that has shut down may appear differently.

They may freeze, avoid interaction, carry tension through the face and body, keep their tail low or tucked, pin their ears back, hesitate to move, or appear as if they’re waiting for life to happen around them instead of participating in it, Smith said.

Smith recommends evaluating whether a dog chooses stillness or feels they have no other option. I always say: look at the whole dog, not just one behavior.

The Subtle Signs Owners Miss

Dogs often exhibit discomfort long before growling or barking occurs. Smith pointed out early stress indicators such as lip licking, yawning, turning the head away, avoiding eye contact, freezing, lifting a paw, whale eye—when a dog slightly turns its head but remains focused, showing the whites of the eye—holding the mouth tightly closed, carrying a stiff tail, adopting a low body posture, excessive sniffing, or repeatedly looking for exits.

While none of these behaviors alone necessarily signal stress, several together, especially in response to a person, place, or situation, can provide a clearer picture. I always say: look at the whole dog, not just one behavior, she emphasized.

Why Rescue Dogs Can Seem ‘Easy’

This misconception commonly affects newly adopted rescue dogs. Owners often perceive a newly adopted rescue as unusually calm during the first days at home, only to grow concerned weeks later when the dog begins barking, playing, seeking attention, or displaying mischievous behaviors.

The dog hasn’t necessarily become worse, Smith noted. They may finally feel safe enough to be themselves. Initial calmness may reflect uncertainty or overwhelming emotions as the dog adjusts to an unfamiliar environment.

Smith advised against hastily labeling a newly adopted dog as naturally laid-back. While some breeds might have calmer tendencies, a dog’s unique personality and emotional state matter more than breed stereotypes.

Building an Emotionally Healthy Dog

Ultimately, Smith encourages owners to shift their focus from having a “perfectly behaved” pet toward fostering an environment where a dog comfortably expresses itself.

An emotionally healthy dog communicates, she said. They tell us when they’re excited, worried, frustrated, or uncomfortable. That isn’t automatically bad behavior. That’s information.

Rather than prioritizing silence, owners should observe a dog’s ears, eyes, mouth, tail, muscles, breathing, movement, and surroundings for insights into their feelings. Understanding rather than suppression forms the basis of a happy and lasting human-dog relationship. At the end of the day, we’re not trying to raise robots who listen 11 times out of 10, Smith concluded.