Many dog owners believe they can easily read their pets’ emotions — happy when tails wag, sad when they hang their heads. However, new research suggests we may be misjudging these signals.
A study from Arizona State University (ASU) reveals that humans often misread their dogs’ emotions because we base our interpretations on external circumstances rather than the dog’s actual behavior. Researchers Holly Molinaro and Clive Wynne found that people tend to project human emotions onto their pets, which leads to a misunderstanding of their feelings.
“People don’t observe the dog’s actions themselves,” explains Molinaro, a PhD student in psychology and animal welfare at ASU. “Instead, they base their emotional assessment on the context surrounding the dog.”
In their study, the researchers conducted two experiments. In the first, participants watched videos of dogs in various situations — some positive (e.g., treat time or walks), and some negative (e.g., mild reprimands). Some viewers were given full context, while others only saw the dogs without any background information. In the second experiment, the videos were edited to change the context, such as showing a dog receiving a treat in a negative light or reacting to a leash as if it were a vacuum cleaner.
The result was consistent: participants often based their judgment on the situation rather than the dog’s behavior. “People assumed the dog must be happy when receiving a treat or sad when being scolded — but these assumptions were not linked to the dog’s emotional cues,” says Wynne, a professor specializing in canine behavior.
One striking example involved a dog reacting to a vacuum cleaner. “When participants saw the dog interacting with the vacuum, they all believed it was stressed,” says Molinaro. “However, when the dog was shown reacting to its leash, people assumed it was calm and happy, despite the dog’s behavior being identical in both situations.”
The study suggests we also have a tendency to project our own emotions onto our pets. “The idea that dogs and humans share identical emotions is deeply ingrained but lacks scientific backing,” Molinaro adds.
So, what can dog owners do? Molinaro recommends simply acknowledging that we might not be as adept at reading our dogs’ emotions as we think. “We need to be more humble in understanding our pets,” she advises. “Take the time to observe your dog’s individual cues and behaviors.”
Recognizing the subtle differences between guilt, nervousness, or joy in your dog can improve the bond between pet and owner, leading to better communication and understanding.
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