Is emotional well being observable in a dog? - Page 1

In a recent post someone tried to rationalize a dog ( apparently disinterested in its nearby owner ) as being pensive and in tune with its environment, and that this was a sign of good genetics. My own experience is that when a dog is emotionally contented there is a look on the dog's face and i brightness in the eyes that indicate that the dog feels secured, is not anticipating danger or harm, and has some substantial and predictable contact with a human person. By extension, probability favors the idea that dogs kept extensively in kennels may be disadvantaged in this respect. Any views on this?

Opinions?

Dog is so awe some. she never leaves my side...day or night. Goes to sleep only when I do? Just admiring such strong attachment ..and loyalty.
Now I understand.

A 45 yr old male from out US midwest every now and then and talks about his 5 yr dead GSD companion. I have never met this man nor seen him, but the passion and intensity with which he speaks about that GSD I can sense he really had something special.

Thanks to all of you who are preserving the breed and the other folks that are keeping the discourse community buzzing  with an enviable literary inheritance.

Honorary Doctorates of the breed ...show people and SL people.

A dog can easily be brimming with vitality, and have total focus on the owner, and live entirely outside. (My dogs do)

In many ways, the lack of 24/7 perpetual contact, builds up the excitment and anticipation, for both the dog and owner lol. 

Much more important than how / where they are housed, is ensuring they get regular, mental and physical stimulation - induced by the handler/owner.

This is what gives that look you are talking about. (and the opposite of that pensive pic you mentioned)

I would also say - you can't read too much in to a picture, might just be a poor pic, also all dogs can get ill / be under the weather.   Some can look crest fallen because they have just been reprimanded, there coat can look great one day, the next shabby etc etc.

But certainly I agree, it's all in the eyes, whether we are talking about - vitality, focus, or serious intent to cause harm to the man  -  when doing civil man work. 

But just to clarify - the look you are talking about can easily be achieved, with something as simple as a Frisbee.

Regards

Gee

In a recent post someone tried to rationalize a dog ( apparently disinterested in its nearby owner ) as being pensive and in tune with its environment, and that this was a sign of good genetics.

I wish someone could explain to me how this is a sign of good genetics. To me, it would be the opposite. I agree with Mithuna and Gee. It is the quality of time spent with the dog whether the dog is an inside or outside dog. My stud dog lives in the house with my husband and me. He is definitely part of our pack. If we are in the living room - then he is too. When we go to sleep in bedroom, he eventually will join us. He wakes us up when he needs to go outside, and we get up and take him out. When he is hungry, he looks at me then his food bowl and same thing if he gets low on water. He is happy to go for a stroll around our land or for a swim in the pond. If we go to town he goes most of the time. He is just glad to be with us. The love in he has for us and the look of it in his eyes is priceless. We feel the same way about him. 

Our outside dogs are loved and love us too. We do something with them everyday from petting them to taking them for runs or hunting. My husband imprints his hunting dogs and Missouri Fot Trotters from birth and continues working with them when grown. He gentle breaks his horses. BUT the dogs are so different and affectionate toward us.

God created dogs for us and us for them. I know of no other animal that would die for a human other than a dog.

@srfwheat - if any one tells you that looking lacklustre is a sign of good genetics or good anything - run as fast as you can and call the police lol. 

Regards

Gee

Srry to say but I wish that poster would explain....
user name is hntrjmpr434

My dog's eyes are always " lighted up ", and its very difficult to accept that this is observable thing is not related to her emotional state.

What did you think I said Mithuna?
I don't recall ever posting anything like that.

hntrjmpr434; you took the bait! mithuna doesn't care what anybody thinks if it does not jive with his small ''dog world'' view. now I will nibble. the dog described by OP could be poorly trained and ignoring the owner by nurture not nature. A happy, adjust dog in one enviroment,known to that animal does not always reflect on the dog's world view.