Do you consider your dog to be your ride-or-die best friend forever?
From cozy evening snuggles to playful bouts of fetch, it’s likely that your canine companion fills your life with immeasurable happiness! They’ve also likely caused you to double over in a belly-aching laugh every now and again when they do something just so silly.
But did you know that you can make your furry friend “laugh,” too? Keep reading to learn how!
Key Takeaways
- Dogs use body language and facial expressions to communicate.
- No, dogs cannot laugh like humans laugh. But they can do the next best thing: a play-pant!
- A play-pant is a breathy pant that dogs use to invite humans and dogs to play along.
See Related: National Dog Day: When Is It and How to Celebrate
Do Dogs Smile?
Most pet parents consider the canine equivalent of laughter to be a wagging tail. And this is partly true! A wagging tail can signify anything from agitation and aggression to happiness and playfulness. Dogs use body language, facial expressions, and vocal sounds to communicate and express their emotions.
Generally speaking, dogs cannot technically smile like humans. However, they can create a facial expression that is similar to a smile!
They will slightly open their faws to reveal their tongue, and their eyes may take on a teardrop shape. This facial expression usually means they are comfortable, casual, and relaxed. This facial expression is usually made in a physiological response to a human smile, in a phenomenon known as laughter contagion.
Can Dogs Laugh?
Unfortunately, no, dogs cannot laugh. Most animal behaviorists agree that dogs cannot laugh in the same way that humans laugh. However, they can make a sound similar to a human laugh. It’s usually referred to as a play-pant.
A play-pant is a breathy panting that is forcefully exhaled. It was first recorded by animal behaviorist Patricia Simonet at Sierra Nevada College by Lake Tahoe. She analyzed the recordings of dogs making this play-pant sound and found they were on a broader range of frequencies than normal dog panting.
She even played the recording back for puppies and found that they became highly active and increasingly excited after hearing it. She then concluded that these play-pant sounds were the equivalent of a dog laugh.
Bonus: 4 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Pooping So Much
Can Other Animals Laugh?
Research shows that non-human primates like chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans can exhibit a play-pant like dogs. Studies even showed that domesticated rats could emit a high-pitched sound when ticketed.
How to Make Your Dog Laugh
To get your furry friend to “laugh,” you need to imitate their natural play-pant. This can take some practice!
- Slightly round your lips to make a “huh” sound. This will be very breathy with no actual voicing. To check if you’re doing it correctly, gently play your fingers on your throat – you should feel no vibration.
- Open your mouth and slightly smile to make a “hah” sound. This, again, will be a very breathy sound.
- Combine steps one and two. Round your lips slightly to make a “huh” sound, followed by an open-mouthed smiling expression to make a “hah” sound. It will sound like “huh-hah-huh-hah-huh-hah.”
Producing dog laughter correctly will encourage your dog to happily wag his tail and playfully laugh along!
How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Happy?
Unfortunately, dogs cannot simply speak English to let you know when they’re hungry or need to poop. Instead, they communicate with various body language cues and facial expressions.
Many people think that a wagging tail means happiness. However, this can mean other things like aggression, agitation, curiosity, or submission.
A dog’s play-pant can indicate happiness, joy, or playfulness. However, you need to observe their body language and expressions holistically to understand if they are truly happy! As a pet parent, you know your furry friend better than anyone else!
Final Thoughts
Though dogs cannot laugh or smile like humans, they can exhibit similar behaviors. Once you understand your four-legged friend’s sense of humor, you can encourage them to show their happiness more freely!
Keep Reading: Why Do Dogs Roll In Poop (& Other Stinky Things)?
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