Without speaking, dogs can teach us so much, such as patience, mindfulness, how to slow down and to remember to have fun! It is all of these traits and so much more that makes dogs an empaths best friend.
Perhaps animals have empathic characteristics too (it's easy to posit but hard to measure) and that's part of the reason they're drawn to people grappling with strong emotions.
Dogs also have “affective empathy”—which is defined as the ability to understand someone else's feelings—toward people who are important to them. Emotional contagion is a primitive form of affective empathy that reflects the ability to actually share those feelings.
Petting our dogs raises levels of oxytocin in both species, which makes us feel closer, which makes us seek out more physical contact, which raises our oxytocin levels, which makes us feel even closer, and so on (and on and on). Even gazing into one another's eyes without touching generates the same pattern.
Empaths often have a deep connection with animals due to their loving and nurturing energy. They can absorb the unconditional love that stems from beloved animals close, like cats, dogs, rabbits, and horses. Animal communicators are commonly known to be empaths.
Elephants are considered to be one of the world's most empathic species. In my last blog, I wrote about how African elephants grieve and mourn their dead, proving that they're truly empathetic, social animals.
Empaths are usually introverts, and they require a certain amount of alone time in order to recharge. A study from 2011 suggests there may be a link between highly empathic individuals and social anxiety.
Yes, dogs can sense kindness too! If a dog seems relaxed and at peace, it's because they feel safe. They can tell that the energy around them is relaxed. When you act calm and confident, a dog will know you are a kind, good, safe person.
Dogs are incredibly clever creatures and seem to have the ability to sense human emotions. Many dog owners will have experienced moments where their dog is really in tune with them emotionally. Dogs also seem to gravitate towards people who are happier and more loving.
This aura is due to the fact that “the heart, like the brain, generates a powerful electromagnetic field”, as explained by McCraty in The Energetic Heart. Dogs can sense this magnetic field which is why they're drawn to people with better energy, or good souls.
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.
There is no scientific evidence that dogs can sense “bad energy” or negative emotions in people, however some people believe that dogs can sense when something is amiss or when a person or place may be dangerous. If a dog is sensing bad energy, it may display certain behaviors, such as: Whining or barking excessively.
For people who experience the world intensely, adding the responsibility of a dog into the mix can be tough. However, studies show pets—especially canines—can actually reduce stress and lower blood pressure, sometimes simply by gazing into a person's eyes. Dogs have even been known to ease homesickness!
When someone is truly a good person with good intentions, a dog will warm up to them quickly. The dog may stand close to the nice person or follow them around. Using their strong skills in reading humans, dogs are able to sense a good person when they see one.
But most dogs tend to bond to the person who gives them the most attention. For example, in a family with two parents and two kids, the dog may favor the parent who fills their bowl every morning and takes them for a walk every evening. In addition, physical affection solidifies the bond between dog and person.
Dogs rely on their ability to communicate with other living things through their body language, emotions, and energies. When your dog seems to be acting up out of the blue, especially when surrounded by a new person, there is a likely possibility they may be picking up on that person's bad energy.
Dogs tend to build close ties with people who show them the most attention (e.g., feeding, training, playing) and love. And it is not just the amount of attention and affection that matters, it is also the quality of time you spend together.
Dogs can sense when humans are anxious
Dogs are also great observers - our facial expressions, posture, the way we move, the smells we give off, and our tone of voice, all give our dogs vast quantities of information about how we might be feeling.
Experts in dog behavior believe that, in general, dogs do not like being embraced. However, every dog has a unique personality. Some may dislike hugs more strongly than others, and some may actually adore them. The closest thing our furry family members do to a hug is something referred to as 'standing over'.
A dog's number one priority at bedtime is comfort and security. So, if they're choosing to sleep in the same space as you, it's a big sign that they trust you. "Sleeping with the owner in the same room helps minimize fear, anxiety and stress," said Christman.
Some empaths may avoid dating or romantic commitment because they fear being overwhelmed by a partner's energies and emotions. Many empaths like to have plenty of space—energetic, emotional, and physical.
Despite the great many people who refer to themselves as this type of person, in actuality, empaths make up a very small part of the population. In fact, according to a 2007 study on empathy, published in Nature Neuroscience, only 1 to 2 percent of the population consists of true empaths.
An curved arrow pointing right. Empaths and narcissists are often drawn to each other. This is because empaths have a lot of compassion and understanding to give, while narcissists thrive on someone worshipping them.