Dogs are not only capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions, such as happiness, fear, and sadness, but they also empathize with their owners. Research indicates that dogs can sense human emotions through both verbal and non-verbal cues, responding accordingly. Recent studies have shown that dogs are particularly sensitive to human stress, leading to emotional contagion, impacting their behavior and learning abilities. This emotional bond between dogs and humans enriches their interspecies relationships.
Does your dog seem to share your joy or sorrow? Do you feel like he understands you and matches his mood to yours? It’s not just a feeling! Scientific research has established that our four-legged friends are capable of experiencing our emotions!
Dogs Experience Emotions
If you take a moment to observe your dog, you’ll notice he displays a wide range of emotions. He shows happiness when you fill his bowl, offer him a treat, throw a ball, or take the leash out for a walk. He feels fear in the presence of an aggressive dog or imminent danger. He can also express anger if someone tries to take away his favorite toy, and he may display profound sadness when you leave without him. These emotions are typical among social animals with sufficient cognitive abilities to feel them, such as humans, dogs, cats, elephants, and many more. These emotional capabilities enable us to interact with other members of our species, and sometimes to forge strong inter-species bonds, as seen between dogs and humans.
Can Dogs Sense Their Owner’s Emotions?
Dog owners who have a genuine connection with their furry companions often attest to their pet’s empathy. When you feel sad, your dog reflects that sadness; when you’re happy, he shows joy; when you’re scared, he may become anxious as well. This phenomenon can be attributed to the dog’s emotional capacity, along with centuries of domestication and observation of humans. Your dog closely observes and interprets both your verbal and non-verbal cues. Your gestures, expressions, and even your body odors provide him with insights into your mood in that moment. By mimicking you and desiring to be as close as possible to his owner, he mirrors your emotions. This is also why your dog may appear guilty even when he hasn’t done anything wrong. He senses your anticipation of mischief, and in response, he displays the remorseful look you’re expecting from him. Thus, he aligns with your emotional expectations.
How Do Human Emotions Affect Dogs?
Since the early 2000s, scientific research has been examining canine behavior and the interactions between dogs and humans. A recent study, conducted by Nicola Rooney at the University of Bristol in England and published in Scientific Reports, demonstrated that dogs are particularly sensitive to human stress, leading to genuine ’emotional contagion.’ During the study, dogs subjected to a scent test featuring body odors of stressed individuals appeared more hesitant and anxious about the tasks they had to perform. According to the researcher, ‘even the scent of a stressed and unfamiliar human affects a dog’s emotional state, their perception of rewards, and their learning capacity‘.