‘Worrying’ dog behaviour owners easily mistake for happiness

An expert says a behaviour typically seen in excited or happy dogs could actually signal something “worrying”.

It’s not always easy to understand what our pets are feeling. They may not be able to speak to us, but they still have the capability to experience a range of emotions. However, their limited ability to show us how they’re feeling can often leave us having to guess, which means we can sometimes get it wrong.

But one dog behaviour expert has now claimed there’s one major mistake we’re making when analysing how our dogs might be feeling – and it could mean we think they’re “happy” when they’re far from it.

A video shared on TikTok by the experts at Surrey Canine Corner shows a dog jumping up at a trainer while her tail is wagging frantically, both of which are often signs that a dog is excited or happy.

However, the experts have claimed this body language can actually signify that a dog is anxious and nervous, and is simply trying to get the attention of a human who they believe can soothe them or remove the cause of their nerves.

The woman in the video said: “At first glance, you might think she’s excited. Happy to see her person, right? But let’s take a closer look. What if I told you this dog is actually on the verge of a full panic response? Yes, her tail is wagging. But tail wagging doesn’t always mean happiness. It’s just one piece of a much bigger picture.

“Notice the rest of her body language: she’s rigid, her muscles are tense, and she’s panting heavily, even though the weather isn’t particularly warm. She’s also very persistent in this communication. She’s not letting it go and is trying over and over again to get my attention.”

The expert went on to highlight the “subtle signs of stress” the dog in the video was showing, such as licking her lips, which the dog trainer claimed is a “common indicator” of anxiety in dogs.

She added: “She’s up on her back legs, which could mean she’s seeking comfort or trying to climb to a higher vantage point, in this case me, a place where she might feel safer.”

The expert shared that just before she started recording, there was a “distant rumble of thunder”, which is what triggered the dog’s panic response in the first place.

She then concluded: “This is your reminder that body language matters, but context matters even more. A wagging tail isn’t a universal sign of joy; we need to look at the whole dog. So if your dog starts acting differently, pause and observe. They may be telling you that they’re scared and they’re counting on you to help them feel safe.”

In the video’s caption, the dog trainer said she decided to share the advice after hearing people claim their dog “loved” going to the vet because its tail was always wagging.

She wrote: “If you look a bit closer and really decipher their body language, they may be trying to tell you something different. Always look at the whole picture, and be in their corner if they need you.”

Commenters were quick to thank her for the advice, with many saying their dogs exhibit this behaviour. They’ve always wondered what the cause of it was – and now they have more clarity.

One person wrote: “My rescue boy is super jumpy and is just like this. Wish I could take his fear away.” Another added: “That’s not a happy wag, that’s a definite need for reassurance.”