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Below are some simple indicators that can help to signal your dog’s mood for today:
A) Dog is happy
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Bright or brighten eyes
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Ears raised, signifying he is relaxed, listening & showing acceptance
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Head held high – in attempt to capture your attention
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Tail moves freely or wagging tail
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Jaw is relaxed
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Appears alert
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Wet & cold nose (normal condition of a healthy, happy dog)
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Raises a front leg to touch you
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Leans to your side with its head
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Content dogs sleep for about 8 to 10 hours per day, mostly at night
B) Dog is stressed out
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Keeps yawning
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Genital licking
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Makes nose noises such as a hard sneeze or sniffing sneeze
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Tucked tail
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Soft whining
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Heavy breathing
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Pupils dilate, showing the whites of his eyes
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Ears backwards – showing either submission or fearfulness
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Taut tail held down rigidly behind him (ready to spring on you if threatened
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Pupils dilate, showing the whites of his eyes
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Defensive Growl
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Baring of teeth as a signal for you to back off
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Avoiding eye contact
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Warm and dry nose – he may be dehydrated and needs a drink
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Refuses to walk or move when called
C) Dog is sad or unhappy
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Usually sleeps more in a 24-hour period, entering a state bordering on depression or learned helplessness
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Appears lethargic and lose all its bounce
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Eyes don't shine with excitement but rather appear dull and vacuous
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Behavioral problems that arise as diversions. Example: excessive barking
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Destructive actions such as digging of the garden
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Annoying attention-seeking behaviors like biting of the remote controllers, furniture leggings
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Either overeating or lose its appetite for food
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Ears backwards – showing either submission or fearfulness
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Adopts hunkered, cowed postures and shows a lack of alertness and curiosity
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Becomes anti social and act out their negative feelings
D) What makes a dog sad?
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Inconsistent/ insufficient interactions with their owners - owners barely take a look at dog, talk to or pat them after they
waited so many hours at the door for their return from work -
Lack of exercise
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An unstable routine – the dog doesn’t know when its next meal, drink or toilet break will be
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Lack of engaging activity with owners