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Your dog's body language can show when they're happy and want you to interact or play with them. Similarly, if they feel uncomfortable or anxious, they’ll signal that they want you to give them more space or stop what you're doing. Some signs of anxiety or fear can be subtle, so by learning to spot these, you can avoid situations that may make your dog feel anxious or stressed. When your dog feels happy, they'll show signs similar to when they're relaxed, but their tail will wag even more! If they want to play, they might lower the front half of their body while raising their bottom in the air - this is called a 'play bow'. Sometimes this might be accompanied by a playful bark or growl that sounds high-pitched and full of excitement! How to tell if your dog is uncomfortable, anxious, or scared There are a range of reasons and situations which might cause a dog to feel threatened and these can be different for each dog. If a dog is in pain, this could also mean they are more likely to feel anxious and are at a higher risk of lashing out. The most important thing to look out for are the changes in body language, which will help you to identify if a dog is struggling in a certain situation. A dog is more likely to resort to aggressive behaviour if the signs that they are unhappy and worried have been ignored, so keep a close eye out for those too. Signs that a dog may become aggressive very soon include: It's essential to consider the specific situation and what's normal for your dog when reading their body language. What might be relaxed behaviour in a home environment can mean something different in a public setting. Age

Sometimes, when our dogs get very unhappy and feel threatened or extremely frightened, they feel like they have to resort to aggressive behaviour because, to them, it seems like there’s no other way out of a situation. Hiding and walking away. If your dog is unhappy at something or someone making them stressed, they may try to hide behind you or another object, or take themselves off to another area if they can. Let them do this and don’t follow them or push the interaction, as your dog is letting you now they need a time-out.Keep training sessions short: Dog training sessions should be kept short and positive so that your dog doesn't become overwhelmed. If your dog struggles to understand a new cue, it's okay to take a break and try again later. Just like a happy dog, it’s also very easy to spot an uncomfortable and worried dog from their body language, if you know what to look for. Signs to spot include: Avoid punishment: Punishment, such as shouting or physical force, can worsen the behaviour of a distressed or aggressive dog. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and training to encourage good behaviour.

Whilst looking out for the behaviours above will help you understand what your dog is feeling, here are some factors to bear in mind: Context So, whether you are a busy, elderly or infirm owner,or you're simply looking to createa little 'you' time, The Happy Dog has a high qualitypet care service just for you! You can relax happy in the knowledge that your four legged friend is receiving the very best care and attention from dedicated animal lovers! Both you and your dog will be invited for a visit to The Happy Dog house to enable your dog to becomefamiliar withtheir new surroundings and to meet Berkeley. The aim is reduce anxiety levels in your pet in readiness for their forthcoming visit, but it works a treat for the pet owners too! Create a safe environment: Create a safe and comfortable environment for your dog. This might involve using barriers or gates to limit their access to certain areas and provide a calm, quiet space for them to relax.

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Your pet gets 1 "star" every time you interact with it. But will lose them slowly if you ignore the pet for too long. You can then get new goodies with "stars" Just like people, dogs have their own personalities that influence their behaviour. Some dogs may be more outgoing and confident, while others may be more timid and anxious. Breed If your dog is showing signs that they are anxious or stressed on a regular basis, take them to the vet as there could be an underlying cause. If there’s an obvious reason like a certain dog or situation, your vet can give you some initial pointers and recommend an accredited behaviourist or trainer as appropriate. Remember - all dogs are different! Your dog's age, breed, personality, and situation all affect how they behave. How to tell if your dog is relaxed Probably the easiest dog body language to understand is a happy dog! There are some really clear signs you’ll see in your dog showing they are happy: