Researchers from Arizona State University have found that people are quite poor at reading their dogs’ feelings, even though they believe they understand them perfectly.
For instance, when people are in a good mood, they often perceive their as looking sad. Conversely, when they feel down, they tend to think that same dog appears happy.
Interestingly, when it’s another person instead of a dog, we tend to interpret their emotions as similar to our own.
“In the realm of understanding dog emotions, I am constantly surprised. We are just beginning to grasp what remains a great mystery for us,” said Clive Wynne, a co-author of the study.
The research team claims that their findings will help people take better care of their pets. “If we better understand , we can provide better care for them,” believes lead author and animal psychologist Holly Molinaro.
What Did the Study Reveal?
The researchers reached their conclusions through two experiments involving around 300 students and three dogs of different breeds.
The study included dogs named Oliver (a four-year-old mixed breed), Canyon (a one-year-old Catahoula), and Henry (a three-year-old French Bulldog). The animals were placed in situations designed to elevate their mood, induce anxiety, or maintain a neutral state. To boost the dogs’ spirits, the researchers used treats, toys, and promises of visiting “grandma.” To create a negative atmosphere, they employed the sound of a vacuum cleaner and images of cats.
Initially, volunteers were shown images intended to evoke positive, negative, or neutral moods. Then, participants watched short videos featuring the dogs and assessed the animals’ feelings, as reported by BBC Science Focus.
Participants who viewed more positively inclined dogs interpreted their mood as sad. Conversely, those who saw dogs in a more negative light perceived them as happy.
The reason behind our differing perceptions of dog and human emotions remains unclear to scientists. Dr. Wynne noted, “Humans and dogs have interacted closely for at least 14,000 years. During this time, dogs have learned a lot about their relationships with people. Yet, our research shows that there are still significant gaps in our understanding of what dogs feel.”
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