Why Are Dogs So Happy to See You?

One of the biggest joys of dog ownership is that sincere, unbridled display of joy and excitement the dog greets us every time we arrive at home. A bad day at the office soothes in an instant in the warm affections of a dog who is pleased to see us. We go through this routine almost every day, yet our dogs̵7; happiness never seems to wane.

  1. It̵7;s in His Nature

    • Dogs and humans have a natural bond. But it isn̵7;t some spiritual connection that just happened; our ancestors created it. When man domesticated the wolf, he favored the tamest, most human-friendly specimens. The dogs who descended from these wolves were hard-wired to bond with humans, because all of their ancestors had done it.

    Instincts at Play

    • Dogs are social animals. In the wild, they live in packs. Any dog incapable of coexisting with his pack mates will eventually find himself fending for himself. Naturally, such a scenario is bad for any dog, so nature blessed the canine species with good social skills to ensure harmony. Greeting gestures might seem like pure happiness on the dog̵7;s part, but there is more to it. It̵7;s easy to think ̶0;he̵7;s so happy he wants to kiss me̶1; when your dog is excitedly licking your face, but the licking is actually an appeasement gesture. Dogs lick one another to show subordination. Your dog is telling you he accepts his place in the pack and doesn̵7;t pose a threat. He's reinforcing pack harmony.

    But Dogs Are a Little Selfish

    • Speaking of instincts, one of the dog̵7;s strongest instincts is his instinct to eat. In the wild, dogs hunt in packs -- the alpha male getting first dibs before lower-ranked dogs eat. In the domestic environment, your dog sees you as the ultimate alpha. You go to the store and return home with bags of food that he can smell. Eventually, you let him eat. To your dog, you̵7;re the best hunter there ever was. Part of your dog̵7;s excitement on your return is that often you bring something to eat. His happiness is also driven by the fact that he sees you as a parent figure, and your return signals to him that he is secure and protected.

    Separation Anxiety

    • Some dogs simply hate being apart from their owner. It̵7;s natural for dogs to be averse to isolation. Their instincts tell them that their very survival depends on staying with a pack. A dog suffering from separation anxiety will be highly stimulated whenever you break that period of isolation. Owners often reinforce this behavior by reacting to the excitement with fuss. If your dog pees when you come in, or is destructive when alone, his happiness at seeing you may be more than simple relief, he may be suffering from separation anxiety. It's a matter to discuss with your vet and perhaps a behaviorist.