Can Dogs Smell Fear?

Have you heard that dogs can smell fear?

It's a common saying, "Act confident; dogs can smell fear!" It's been passed down for ages, but is it true?

Dogs Can Identify Fear in Humans, but Can They Smell It?

Dogs probably can't exactly smell the human emotion of fear. However, they can definitely identify and interpret humans' emotions and words. They probably do so by combining several sources of information.

Can You Hide Your Fear from Dogs?

Given the probability that dogs use scent, sight, and hearing cues to determine that we are afraid of them, it might be difficult to hide our feelings from these canine detectives. Still, it's important to do what you can to act calmly around a dog to decrease the likelihood of him challenging you.

You May Also Like These Articles:

Crotch Sniffing

How to Greet a New Dog

How Dogs Sense Emotions

Submissive Urination in Dogs

How to Help a Lost Dog

Handling and Transporting a Sick or Injured Dog

How to Greet a New Dog

How Do You Stop a Dog from Barking?


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.