How do I know my dog is happy?

[Nickynackynoodle]

She’s a 2yo Weimaraner bitch, she seems ok just sometimes I look st her and think she’s sad.

She’s so lovely and affectionate, she doesn’t chew stuff, she sleeps loads, has a touch of separation anxiety but I’ve some great tricks that seem to work (I record the house every now and then when I’m out so I do know what she gets up to).

I’m doing housework this morning & she’s just sort of being my shadow but so quiet & looks... lost. Idk. I’m probably overthinking it.

How can you tell they’re ok & not pining for anything?

Variations of your post come up here over and over OP. There was one not long ago.

It would seem that this is something a hell of a lot of caring dog owners worry about and it's certainly something I've had a worry about from time to time. I was worried for a long time that mine sleeps too much. Also, if I stroke her when she's lying on the sofa and she doesn't respond I worry a bit that she's not happy or not feeling well.

Having read up a bit about it and having asked the vet (yes really) I've come to the conclusion that I too was over thinking it.

I've tried to become a bit more laid about it now and have accept that they don't require too much intellectual input and are happy to sit and dream about nothing very much for most of the day.

If she's loved, fed, exercised and played with then the chances are your dog is happy. You say she's calm and relaxed. Unhappy dogs look tense, fearful or just plain miserable. The body language is clear to see.

I suspect you are overthinking it too.

I wonder if my dog is happy about 90% of the time. I say 90% of the time because when we play 'ball' I 'know' he is happy .

The hardest time is when mine goes off into another room to go to sleep on his own but I try and remember like us they have feelings and sometimes just need to chill out and have some space.

Sometimes I wish they could speak human and then othertimes I am glad they can't