The Secret Language of Dogs: Emotions Behind Every Bark

The Role of Emotions in Canine Behaviour

Understanding Canine Emotions: More Than Just Instincts

Have you ever looked into your dog’s eyes and wondered what they were thinking? The emotional world of dogs is fascinating and plays a critical role in shaping their behaviour. Understanding how emotions drive canine responses can improve training, strengthen your bond, and enhance your dog’s overall well-being.

While scientific debate continues regarding the complexity of canine emotions, research confirms that dogs experience primary emotions like fear, happiness, anxiety, and excitement. These emotions directly impact how they interact with humans, animals, and their surroundings.

Do Dogs Have Emotions?

The question of whether dogs experience emotions has intrigued researchers for years. Boissy et al. (2007) examined whether animals must be conscious to feel emotions, and it is now widely accepted that dogs, as conscious beings (Lenkei et al., 2021), do indeed experience emotions (Block, 1996). However, unlike humans, dogs do not analyse or reflect on their feelings (Albuquerque & Resende, 2023).

Dogs primarily experience basic emotions but lack the advanced brain structures required for secondary emotions like guilt or jealousy. Their cerebral cortex, responsible for processing complex emotions, is less developed than that of humans (Evans & de Lahunta, 2013). Behaviours perceived as guilt or jealousy, such as a dog looking "guilty" after an accident indoors, are often appeasement gestures rather than genuine remorse (Hecht et al., 2012; Kujala, 2017).

How Emotions Shape Canine Behaviour

Emotions drive a dog’s decision-making and influence whether they seek or avoid particular experiences. A positive emotional association leads to enthusiasm and anticipation, while a negative emotional experience can result in fear-based aggression or avoidance behaviour (Spruijt et al., 2001; Boissy et al., 2007).

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine regulate mood and influence emotional responses (Positively, no date). An imbalance in these chemicals can lead to mood instability, increased reactivity, and stress. Furthermore, dogs with repeated positive experiences tend to have an optimistic outlook, while those exposed to frequent negative stimuli may develop anxiety or fear-based behaviours (Boissy et al., 2007).

The Human-Canine Emotional Bond

Dogs are incredibly skilled at reading human emotions. Studies show they can recognise and differentiate between human facial expressions and vocal tones (Albuquerque et al., 2016; Siniscalchi et al., 2018). This sensitivity strengthens the human-dog bond and explains why dogs often respond to their owners’ emotional states. When you’re stressed or upset, your dog may attempt to comfort you—this is not mere coincidence but a result of their deep emotional connection (Nagasawa et al., 2009).

Avoiding Common Misinterpretations of Canine Emotions

Humans often misread their dog’s emotional state, leading to training mistakes. For example, Bloom and Friedman (2013) found that while people can accurately identify happiness in dogs 88% of the time, they struggle to recognize fear (45%) and sadness (37%).

A common misconception is that dogs feel jealousy when owners show affection to someone else. However, from a canine perspective, hugging can resemble conflict, and their response is often an attempt to mediate rather than display jealousy (Kujala, 2017). Similarly, so-called "guilty looks" are appeasement signals, not true guilt (Hecht et al., 2012). Understanding these distinctions is essential for interpreting behaviour correctly and preventing anthropomorphism, which can hinder effective training.

Managing Emotions for a Happier Dog

A well-balanced emotional state is key to a well-behaved dog. Here’s how you can support your dog’s emotional well-being:

• Regular exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins and reduces stress.

• Consistent training: Training provides mental stimulation and builds confidence.

• Stable environment: Predictability fosters emotional stability.

• Positive social interactions: Allowing dogs to engage with friendly dogs and humans builds trust and social skills.

• Calm and confident handling: Dogs mirror human emotions—staying composed helps them stay relaxed (Katayama et al., 2019).

Rescue dogs, in particular, benefit from a consistent, patient approach. A familiar handler and structured routine can reduce stress and aid emotional recovery (Grigg et al., 2022).

Creating a Positive Environment

Your dog’s surroundings significantly impact their emotional health. Negative experiences—such as being rushed by an off-leash dog—can leave lasting emotional scars. Responsible dog ownership includes advocating for your dog’s well-being, ensuring safe interactions, and providing a secure, enriched environment (Positively, no date).

Puppies need positive early experiences to develop confidence. Research indicates that mild early-life stress can enhance resilience, whereas neglect or trauma can result in long-term emotional difficulties (Schoon & Berntsen, 2011).

The Power of Positive Surprises

Incorporating positive surprises into your dog’s routine can boost their mood and engagement. This phenomenon, known as "positive contrast," involves unexpected rewards that increase excitement and motivation (Boissy et al., 2007). For example, if your dog usually gets dry treats but receives a high-value reward like chicken unexpectedly, their enthusiasm for training may increase. However, negative contrast—when an expected reward is withheld—can cause frustration.

Conclusion: Strengthening the Human-Dog Connection

Understanding your dog’s emotions helps create a more harmonious relationship and enhances their overall well-being. While dogs may not experience emotions with the same depth as humans, their feelings play a significant role in shaping their behaviour. By managing their emotional environment, avoiding common misinterpretations, and fostering positive experiences, you can help your dog lead a happier, more balanced life.

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References

Albuquerque, N. and Resende, B., 2023. Dogs functionally respond to and use emotional information from human expressions. Evolutionary Human Sciences, 5, p.e2.

Bekoff, M. (2022) Dog Training Requires Respecting the Deep Emotional Lives of Dogs; Exploring the affective dog behavior approach. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202202/dog-training-requires-respecting-the-deep-emotional-lives-dogs. (Accessed: 15/11/2023).

Block, N., 1996. How can we find the neural correlate of consciousness?. Trends in neurosciences, 19(11), pp.456-459.

Boissy, A., Manteuffel, G., Jensen, M.B., Moe, R.O., Spruijt, B., Keeling, L.J., Winckler, C., Forkman, B., Dimitrov, I., Langbein, J. and Bakken, M., 2007. Assessment of positive emotions in animals to improve their welfare. Physiology & behavior, 92(3), pp.375-397.

Evans, H. E. and de Lahunta, A. (2013). Miller's anatomy of the dog. St. Louis, MO: Saunders,Elsevier Inc

Grigg, E.K., Liu, S., Dempsey, D.G., Wong, K., Bain, M., Sollers, J.J., Haddock, R., Kogan, L.R., Barnhard, J.A.,

Tringali, A.A. and Thigpen, A.P., 2022. Assessing the Relationship Between Emotional States of Dogs and Their Human Handlers, Using Simultaneous Behavioral and Cardiac Measures. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, p.897287.

Hecht, J., Miklósi, Á. and Gácsi, M., 2012. Behavioral assessment and owner perceptions of behaviors associated with guilt in dogs. Applied animal behaviour science, 139(1-2), pp.134-142.

Katayama, M., Kubo, T., Yamakawa, T., Fujiwara, K., Nomoto, K., Ikeda, K., Mogi, K., Nagasawa, M. and Kikusui, T., 2019. Emotional contagion from humans to dogs is facilitated by duration of ownership. Frontiers in Psychology, p.1678.

Kujala, M.V., 2017. Canine emotions as seen through human social cognition. Animal Sentience, 2(14), p.1.

Lenkei, R., Faragó, T., Zsilák, B. and Pongrácz, P., 2021. Dogs (Canis familiaris) recognize their own body as a physical obstacle. Scientific Reports, 11(1), p.2761.

Nagasawa, M., Kikusui, T., Onaka, T. and Ohta, M., 2009. Dog's gaze at its owner increases owner's urinary oxytocin during social interaction. Hormones and behavior, 55(3), pp.434-441.

Notari, L (2023) I am feeling very anxious, will this affect my dog too? Available at:

https://www.rspca.org.uk/-/i-am-feeling-very-anxious-will-this-affect-my-dog-too-c2-a0 (Accessed:17/11/2023)

Positively (no date) Canine Emotions. Available at: https://positively.com/dog-training/understanding-dogs/canine-emotion/ (Accessed: 15/11/2023).

Schoon, A. and Berntsen, T.G., 2011. Evaluating the effect of early neurological stimulation on the development and training of mine detection dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 6(2), pp.150-157.

Siniscalchi, M., d’Ingeo, S. and Quaranta, A. (2018) Orienting asymmetries and physiological reactivity in dogs’ response to human emotional faces. Learning and Behaviour, 46, pp.574–585

Spruijt, B.M., Van den Bos, R. and Pijlman, F.T., 2001. A concept of welfare based on reward evaluating mechanisms in the brain: anticipatory behaviour as an indicator for the state of reward systems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 72(2), pp.145-171.