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Filed under behavior+ health & wellness
You've probably heard people say that our dogs can "read" our emotions and moods, but is there science to back that up?!
A group of researchers set out to answer that question and found an alarming answer. YES. Our dogs can and do pick up on the chemical changes in our bodies.
The group started by having human participants watch either a clip that induced fear or happiness in the viewers. As they watched a clip, researchers collected a sample of their sweat.
The second part of the study is where the dogs became involved. In a room, the researchers placed a dog with 3 things in the room.
1. Their pup parent (not trying to interact with or sway the dog)
2. A stranger (not trying to interact with or sway the dog)
3. A sampling of the sweat collected from human participants
The sample of sweat was either (1) the "fear" sweat, (2) the "happy" sweat or (3) no sweat at all.
The dogs were hooked up to heart rate monitors. On top of that, the researchers were viewing to see where the dogs ventured, where they looked, etc.
The results were staggeringly clear.
When the dogs smelled the human "fear" sweat, their heart rates went up and they showed clear signs of fear and anxiety. The dogs would sometimes even try to hide or cower behind their humans.
When the dogs smelled the human "happy" sweat they had lower heart rates (than the "fear" test) and even showed more interaction with the strangers.
First, our dogs DO pick up on changes in our emotions and feelings. Even when we may not think we are exhibiting new feelings or emotions, our body changes. And when the chemicals in our body change, our dogs take notice.
This is why dogs are so skilled at being emotional support animals because they can often sense problems before their human counterparts can. It also provides insight into how dogs judge us as humans.
Additionally, from a dog training and behavior standpoint, this study emphasizes the importance of our own emotions when we interact and train our dogs. If we are constantly feeling anxious or overwhelmed when training, our dogs will pick up on that and mimic those feelings.
Do you think your dog picks up on your emotions personally? Let me know how you've seen that in your own life by commenting below!
Hi Joyce! You can find a link to the study in the article.
K
Kelli Morgan 01/26/2025
I have a friend who has a wolf, her choice, but when she çomes over my dog freaks. Runs , hides, bathroom, won’t eat. And even when she leaves my dog is scared Tonight was the first time. My friend laid by bailey and talked to her she let her rub her belly, but was still Leary. Does this mean she’s finally loosening up. She doesn’t like men either. She’s just 6 months old. Help
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Ann01/26/2025
Ann Max is truly an Emotional Support Dog. A Friend of ours gave us MAX at 10 weeks. I have always been afraid of dogs. Now I really like MAX. We are suffering with Grief and MAX is helping both if us especially my son. He is take the death very hard.
Max stays by his side. Use too wine bark when he good. I likes me because I give him treats. He don’t come by me as much.
My son puts him out in the morning feed him and stays until he comes home. They sit out in the patio until it gits dark they both conenin and go to sleep.
I buy what Max needs he buy the food.
I truly he is helping my son. I know it will be a long time before we git the grief. But Max is helping.
I read to help tral Max. Thank you very much we are not working now
I an 79 my son is 57.
Thanks for your help.
Ann
T
Team Pupford01/26/2025
Hi, Kelli! We have some tips here! https://pupford.com/training-dog-to-meet-strangers/ You can give your friend some treats to give her when she comes over and let your dog approach her, you can also keep her on a leash or behind a gate if you need to take it slower.
D
DARCI 01/26/2025
Our Berner can sense when I’m planning on taking him for a walk. I don’t do anything or say anything out of the ordinary, but somehow, he picks up on it and starts whining and acting like a crazed lunatic and proceeds to get our Newfie in on the action.
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52 comments
Leave a CommentHi Joyce! You can find a link to the study in the article.
I have a friend who has a wolf, her choice, but when she çomes over my dog freaks. Runs , hides, bathroom, won’t eat. And even when she leaves my dog is scared Tonight was the first time. My friend laid by bailey and talked to her she let her rub her belly, but was still Leary. Does this mean she’s finally loosening up. She doesn’t like men either. She’s just 6 months old. Help
Max stays by his side. Use too wine bark when he good. I likes me because I give him treats. He don’t come by me as much.
My son puts him out in the morning feed him and stays until he comes home. They sit out in the patio until it gits dark they both conenin and go to sleep.
I buy what Max needs he buy the food.
I truly he is helping my son. I know it will be a long time before we git the grief. But Max is helping.
I read to help tral Max. Thank you very much we are not working now
I an 79 my son is 57.
Thanks for your help.
Ann
Hi, Kelli! We have some tips here! https://pupford.com/training-dog-to-meet-strangers/ You can give your friend some treats to give her when she comes over and let your dog approach her, you can also keep her on a leash or behind a gate if you need to take it slower.
Our Berner can sense when I’m planning on taking him for a walk. I don’t do anything or say anything out of the ordinary, but somehow, he picks up on it and starts whining and acting like a crazed lunatic and proceeds to get our Newfie in on the action.