It goes without saying that as pet parents, we develop a close emotional connection with our dogs – we’re able to recognize their feelings as easily as we do our own. But have you ever wondered “can dogs sense human emotions”? Extensive research has been done in this field and the results may (or may not) surprise you.
How well can dogs sense
human emotions?
Pet parents know very well that dogs have an extraordinary
ability to read human emotions, but in recent years this hunch has been backed
by scientific research. In fact, numerous studies have found that dogs use
three main senses – sight, smell, and hearing – to determine human emotions.
- Dogs can read
our facial expressions: Dogs can recognize six basic emotions – anger,
fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, and disgust – and process these in similar
ways as humans, with changes to heart rate and gaze.
- Dogs can smell
our emotional changes: Due to their elevated sense of smell, dogs are
highly sensitive to changes in our body odor that are undetectable to other
humans. Dogs can smell the chemical changes that occur when we feel different
emotions, such as happiness or anger, and this impacts their response. For
example, studies found that when dogs are exposed to the scent of fear, they
exhibit more stressful behaviors and higher heart rates than when they were
exposed to happy scents.
- Dogs can hear
the differences between our emotions: Dogs are also able to
understand the emotional tones of our voices – particularly the difference
between positive and negative sounds. Not only that, but they can match the
sound to the corresponding facial expression! Studies have shown that dogs pay
more attention to facial expressions which match the emotional state of an
accompanying vocalization.
What this means is that, like humans, dogs take into account the inputs from several senses to understand how a human is feeling and then respond accordingly. Want to learn more about how to understand your dog’s emotions? Take a look at this blog.
Why a dog’s ability to
sense human emotions makes them great support animals
So, can dogs sense human emotions? Researchers would say the
answer to this question is a resounding yes! Not only does this mean that our
dogs can connect with us emotionally, but it also makes them exceptionally
well-suited for work as service dogs.
We’re proud to work with 4 Paws for Ability, an organization that enriches the lives of people with disabilities by placing life-changing service dogs. Their team breeds, raises, and trains their service dogs in preparation to assist their partner with specific tasks and skills that mitigate the impacts of their partner’s disabilities.
Currently, 4 Paws places 11 different types of service dogs who
are trained to perform a multitude of tasks to mitigate various disabilities.
While the ability to sense human emotions is helpful for all service animals,
there are a few types for which it is particularly important.
- Autism
Assistance Dogs: A key role of autism assistance dogs is behavior
redirection. Meltdowns and sensory needs are common challenges for children
with autism and Autism Assistance Dogs can be trained to calm, comfort, and
redirect a child’s behavior. Placing their paw on the child’s leg, and applying
deep pressure or kisses are all examples of how they can redirect behavior in
the moment.
- FASD Assistance Dogs: Similar to Autism Assistance Dogs, FASD Assistance Dogs can be trained to provide a calming influence and support with sensory overload. These dogs are trained to learn a unique set of commands to help stop and replace a specific behavior. For instance, when their handler is experiencing sensory overload repetitive behavior or compulsive thought patterns.
Benefits of adopting a
dog
Even if you don’t require a service dog, adopting a dog is a
great way to improve your life and your mental health.
- Unconditional
love: Dogs love with no strings attached – the love they give you
isn’t based on expecting something in return. The experience of receiving
unconditional love can increase your feelings of happiness and optimism, both
of which are important to overall mental wellness.
- Structure: Having some
form of structure in your day can help you feel more grounded and give you a
sense of purpose and achievement. Dogs are creatures of habit, so they will
naturally help you stick to a daily routine that revolves around their meals,
exercise, and playtime.
- Anxiety
reduction: When you start to experience feelings of anxiety, something as
simple as petting your dog can be very soothing. Research has shown that
petting a dog actually lowers the stress hormone cortisol!
If you had ever thought to yourself, “can dogs sense human
emotions?” then we hope that you have your answer! Thanks to the numerous
studies that have been conducted on this topic, it’s safe to say that dogs can
sense human emotions – especially those of their close human companions.
