Most people who have spent any time around dogs know that they seem to understand humans' emotions.
A recent study confirmed this to be true but also showed that it goes a step further: dogs respond differently to angry people than they do to calm ones.
In a recent study done by Brigham Young University researchers, dogs were directed by a human's pointing gesture to explore a hidden area to find a treat (Ross Flom, 2016). Dogs were quite reliable in responding to the pointing gesture and following it.
Next, people gave the dogs pointing instructions while using happy emotional cues such as smiles and upbeat voices. Then, they directed the dogs by pointing to the hidden spots while using angry emotional cues such as frowns and harsh voices.
The dogs followed the humans' pointing cues reliably in each situation. However, they were slower to explore the hidden area when the person used angry facial expressions and voices. The dogs showed that not only are they sensitive to humans' moods, but they use them to dictate their own behavior.
This study, in some ways, tells us what many dog lovers already know: dogs can determine differing human moods. They also use our moods to determine their response time to our commands. This can be useful to know in at least two common situations that dog owners face:
Works Cited
You May Also Like These Articles:
How to Manage Your Dog's Over-The-Top Greetings
Dogs Make the Best Matchmakers
Things We Do That Annoy Our Dogs - Slideshow
Petting vs. Praise: Which Does a Dog Like Best?
Most Popular Dog Breeds - Slideshow
Dog Adoption: What You Need to Know
Dog Training Tips: Using Treats Properly
Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at DogHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site. Just Answer is an external service not affiliated with DogHealth.com.