Is a smiling dog really happy?That is a question that is open to debate.Back in the seventies I was a university student majoring in zoology.Many of the professors believed it was a great sin the give any species ,except humans,the ability to show any type of emotion.They believed that all species below humans did not have the mental capacity to form thoughts and therefore feel happy,sad,angry,etc.

Times have definitely changed.Dogs can show happiness,not just by wagging its tail but also through facial expression.The bright eyes and the showing of teeth with an open mouth seem to show happiness.The ears can also express happiness.Sadness can also be shown with drooping ears and a closed mouth.Certain breeds of dogs seem to have a more emotional face.The golden retriever,for one ,seems to show much more emotion through its eyes,ears and mouth than say,a boxer who always seems angry,especially in its facial expression.A happy boxer may look angry because of the absence of facial expression,but look at its tail,which will most likely be wagging.

It is very important for a dog owner to be aware of these signs of emotions.They are important in the training process.You must be able to read your dog,because its is definitely reading you as it attempts to discover what it can get away with.The most important thing for a dog owner to do as you attempt to train and control your dog is to observe.Verbal communication with a non-verbal animal, such a dog ,is secondary to visual clues and knowing the emotional signs your dog is giving you.