Dog owners often aspire to have a calm companion who seldom barks or causes disruptions. However, silence does not always reflect how a dog truly feels. Ali Smith, a canine behavior consultant at Maven, points out that, while many believe a quiet dog is happy, quietness is more of a behavior than an emotion.
“Quiet tells us very little about how someone is actually feeling,” Smith shared with 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 focusing solely on a dog’s vocal tendencies, Smith advises owners to observe body language and situational 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,” Smith said. “Dogs communicate primarily through body language, so a dog can be completely silent while still telling us they’re deeply uncomfortable.”
Even a barking or noisy dog should not always be tagged as badly behaved. “They might be excited, frustrated, worried, under-stimulated or simply trying to communicate,” Smith noted. “For me, quietness is never the full answer. It’s one tiny piece of information.”
Calm vs. Shut Down
A truly relaxed dog often appears physically at ease, breathing normally and interacting naturally. According to Smith, calm dogs move freely, explore their surroundings, and willingly engage with humans or treats. In contrast, a shut-down dog tends to exhibit different behaviors.
“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 explained.
She suggests asking whether a dog is choosing stillness or feels forced into silence, emphasizing the importance of understanding the whole dog, not just one behavior.
The Subtle Signs Owners Miss
Dogs often show signs of discomfort well before they might growl or bark. Smith identifies early stress indicators such as lip licking, yawning, head turning, avoiding eye contact, and others. Though no single behavior conclusively signals stress, a combination of several can provide clearer insight into the dog’s feelings, particularly when tied to specific situations.
“I always say: look at the whole dog, not just one behavior,” she stated.
Why Rescue Dogs Can Seem ‘Easy’
This misconception frequently arises with newly adopted rescue dogs. Owners might describe their new pets as calm upon arrival, only to express concern when they later become more vocal or active.
“The dog hasn’t necessarily become worse,” Smith remarked. “They may finally feel safe enough to be themselves.” Initial calmness may reflect the dog’s need to adjust rather than true tranquility.
Smith warns against labeling a newly adopted dog as inherently calm too soon. While some breeds may seem quieter, each dog’s personality and emotional state matter most.
Building an Emotionally Healthy Dog
Smith encourages owners to aim for an emotionally healthy dog rather than a “perfectly behaved” one. “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.”
Pay attention to your dog’s body language, including ears, eyes, mouth, tail, and movement, to gain insights into their feelings. Smith concludes that building a human-dog relationship involves understanding, not suppression.
“At the end of the day, we’re not trying to raise robots who listen 11 times out of 10,” Smith said. “We’re trying to build a relationship where a human and a dog can happily live together for the next 10 to 15 years. That means understanding each other, not suppressing each other.”
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