Can dogs read and interpret human emotions, and more specifically, can they sense when you are crying? If you own a dog, you probably have already formed an opinion to this frequently asked question. The answer is quite simple; yes, they most certainly can.
Previous research has shown that when humans cry, their dogs also feel distress. Now, the new study finds that dogs not only feel distress when they see that their owners are sad but will also try to do something to help. The findings were published today (July 24) in the journal Learning and Behavior.
Some think that dogs are experiencing something called emotional contagion when they react to us crying. The theory of emotional contagion suggests that dogs are able to recognize and respond to our emotions, but they may not really understand, at least not fully, what that person is feeling.
Previous research has shown how dogs are highly receptive to their owners crying. According to a new study, they will also break through barriers to get to them. Dogs who heard their owners cry opened a door to "rescue" them.
Studies show that dogs are sensitive to emotional contagion which is responding to the emotions of another without understanding what they are feeling. Your dog knows you are experiencing poor feelings even if they aren't sure how you feel, so they provide comfort.
In other words, your dog may not know exactly how you feel, but they know you're feeling something. They comfort you because they can tell you feel poorly, even if they don't fully understand how or why.
On this note, research shows that dogs can sense depression, and many of them even respond lovingly to their humans in an attempt to cheer them up. In the same way that we pay attention to their behavior, dogs also pay attention to our actions to determine our “energy” that day.
They can't respond to your emotional state in the same way you're expressing it, but they know exactly what default you react to. In other words, their closeness, the nudging of their nose, their unwavering, deep gaze, and their overwhelming warmth make soothing your sadness a possibility.
Dogs may feel like they don't have to comfort you during a crying spell if you aren't alone. It could also be that they just cannot understand the intensity of the emotion that their only coping mechanism is to run away, hide, or react in uncharacteristic ways.
They want to hug them and smooch them as they do with their toys. According to Animal Behaviorists, 'dogs don't understand human kisses the same way that humans do. ' When kissing a young puppy, you may not notice any signs of recognition at all because they have yet to associate kisses with affection.
Most experts felt that your pup was simply displaying what is known as emotional contagion. Emotional contagion occurs when a person or animal responds to the emotions of another when they don't completely understand the emotion. The most simple explanation of emotional contagion is in a nursery.
Dogs have the mind of a toddler in terms of emotional intelligence, vocabulary, and cognitive development. Researchers think that canines can experience basic emotions, including joy, fear, love, sadness, and anger. Along the same lines, it is thought that dogs can sense these same emotions in their favorite humans.
Dr. Brian Hare, who has written books about canine cognition, told People that dogs have emotions and feelings just like we do. Here's what he said about love: "Yes, your dog knows how much you love him!
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
They're showing empathy
It turns out licking can also mean that our pooches are expressing empathetic concern towards us if we're stressed out or upset. A study found that dogs licked, nuzzled or sniffed their owner when they pretended to cry more often than when they were humming or talking.
Research at the University of Lincoln, UK, found that dogs, “can recognize emotions in humans by combining information from different senses.”[1] Your dog recognizes when you're sad or in pain by facial recognition and body language, but the most interesting sense they use is smell.
Can Dogs Get Depressed? Yes, but dogs do not typically experience what we recognize as clinical depression in humans. That being said, our canine family members can certainly feel depression in the form of the blues, sadness, and grief.
Now a study has found that dogs can do something just as remarkable: sniff out stress in people. The dogs were able to smell changes in human breath and sweat, and — with high accuracy — identify chemical odors people emit when feeling stressed.
They can sense chemical changes in the body that can preclude a panic attack or manic state. A dog's response is to lean against their companion or place their head in the person's lap. If things get worse, they are trained to bring a mobile phone to their handler, or dial 911.
Dogs can cry tears of joy when they are reunited with their owners, a small study has found. Canines may be genuinely thrilled when they see their human companions after a long period of absence, Japanese researchers have said. The tears are believed to deepen the bond between dogs and their owners.
They have the same feeling as a child towards their parents and so they are not just an animal but a child to us and for them we are family. If ever you wonder whether your pooch is just like your child or not, think again. For them you are their parents.
Overall, dogs are complex creatures that think about a wide range of things, including social relationships, their physical environment, daily routine, physical needs, and health and well-being.