Understanding Your Dog’s Emotional Needs

Natural Empathy

There’s magic in how a dog greets you—whether it’s been five minutes or five hours. My neighbor’s golden retriever, Max, reminded me of this during a week when everything felt heavy. I’d walk past their fence, weighed down and worn out, and there he’d be—tail wagging like it had its own weather system, acting like my presence was the best thing that had happened all day.

“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person,” Andy Rooney once observed. Watching Max, I started to wonder: if dogs naturally offer this kind of emotional generosity, what does that say about how we care for them? Maybe their kindness isn’t just heartwarming—it’s instructive.

Simple Wisdom

Rooney’s insight points to something we often overlook: dogs don’t just love us—they try to care for us. They comfort us when we’re down, celebrate with us when we’re happy, and seem to know when we need space or closeness. This emotional awareness isn’t accidental—it’s who they are.

And if they’re built to support our wellbeing, shouldn’t we respond in kind? Too often, we reduce care to basics: food, water, walks. But dogs also need emotional safety, mental stimulation, and meaningful connection. They’re giving us their emotional best. They deserve more than the minimum in return.

Daily Care

John Grogan learned this while raising Marley, his famously unruly Labrador. At first, he saw Marley’s destructive chewing and endless energy as behavioral issues. But over time, he noticed patterns: Marley’s chaos often coincided with family stress, disrupted routines, or long periods of boredom. He wasn’t being difficult—he was trying to communicate.

When Grogan began offering what Marley actually needed—mental stimulation during downtime, steady routines, and space to release his energy—everything changed. The “bad behavior” wasn’t defiance. It was a dog saying, *”Help me out here.”* And when Grogan listened, Marley responded.

Understanding Signals

Dogs are always telling us what they need—we just have to pay attention.

First, notice when repetitive or destructive behaviors show up. Chewing, pacing, or licking often signal boredom, anxiety, or stress.

Second, track their energy. Many challenges come from mismatched physical and mental activity levels.

Third, observe how they react to stress or routine changes—dogs absorb our emotions more than we realize.

Finally, look for their subtle bids for connection. Bringing a toy, leaning against you, seeking your eyes—these are emotional check-ins, not just play requests.

Your Commitment

For the next week, spend ten quiet minutes a day simply observing your dog. No commands. No distractions. Just pay attention. What calms them? What excites them? How do they try to connect? Then, use what you learn to adjust one small part of their routine in a way that supports their emotional wellbeing.

Better Tomorrow

Dogs remind us every day what love looks like when it’s consistent, simple, and real. When we start listening to their emotional signals and respond with the same thoughtfulness they show us, we’re not just taking care of them—we’re honoring the spirit that Rooney recognized.

They don’t ask for much. But what they give is everything.

Start Today

Look at your dog’s day through their eyes, not just your schedule. They’ve been showing you what they need. Now it’s your turn to listen.