Dogs experience a range of emotions that scientists now confirm are similar to a 2-3 year old human child. Understanding your dogs emotional life makes you a better owner and deepens your bond.
Emotions Dogs Definitely Experience
- Joy: Wagging tail, play bow, zoomies, relaxed open mouth
- Fear: Tucked tail, pinned ears, whale eye, trembling
- Anger: Stiff body, hard stare, raised hackles, growling
- Love: Leaning against you, slow blinking, bringing you toys, following you
- Excitement: Spinning, jumping, vocalizing, rapid tail wagging
Emotions Dogs May Experience
- Jealousy: Studies show dogs display jealous behavior when their owner gives attention to another dog or even a stuffed animal
- Guilt: The guilty look is actually fear. Dogs react to your body language, not their own understanding of wrongdoing
- Grief: Dogs show behavioral changes when a companion (human or animal) dies, including loss of appetite and lethargy
Emotions Dogs Do NOT Experience
- Spite: Dogs do not destroy things out of revenge. Destructive behavior is usually separation anxiety or boredom
- Shame: The submissive posture you interpret as shame is actually appeasement, a response to your anger
- Anticipation of punishment: Dogs do not connect a behavior from hours ago with your current reaction
How to Respond to Your Dogs Emotions
- Validate their feelings. A scared dog needs comfort, not dismissal
- Do not punish fear-based behavior. It makes the fear worse
- Use calm energy to soothe an anxious dog
- Match your dogs emotional state when possible. If they are excited, join the play. If they are calm, enjoy the quiet
Your dog feels more than you think. The more you understand their emotional world, the more deeply you can connect with them.
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