"If you don't know that [these are] stress signs, you may not know that your dog is trying to communicate with you," an expert said.

Happy dog, happy life is a wonderful sentiment to live by. But how do owners know when their dogs are happy? "Happy and relaxed dogs offer us a great deal of body language intel," Diers said.

Trouble in paradise In understanding your dog's body language, you can also be better prepared to recognize potential health concerns. "An ill dog may sleep more, be grumpier and not want the ...