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How to Know Your Dog’s Emotions
- Admin: Caitlin
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Dogs do feel emotions, but differently than humans.
Research confirms that dogs experience primary emotions: joy, fear, anger, disgust, and affection.
These emotions are then processed in the limbic system, similar to humans.
However, dogs do not experience complex emotions like guilt the same way humans do (what looks like guilt is usually fear or appeasement).
It's important to be able to read your dog’s emotions because emotions drive behaviour.
Emotions Drive Behaviour
Behaviour is the expression of an emotion
Fear leads to reactivity
Anxiety leads to avoidance or hyperactivity
Calm creates learning and trust
Training works best when emotional needs are met first
Dogs who feel emotionally understood:
Learn faster
Show fewer behavior issues
Are more confident and resilient
Learn your dogs body language and vocalizations, they are emotional clues. In addition to emotional cues, pay attention to context and environment. The same behavior can mean different emotions depending on the situation. Emotion must be read in context, not in isolation.
Your Dog Mirrors Your Emotional State
Studies show dogs sync their stress levels with their guardians
Cortisol (stress hormone) levels in dogs rise when humans are stressed
Your tone, posture, and breathing influence your dog’s emotions
If you and your dog are just asking for a deeper connection and if you’re ready to take this work further, to truly understand your dog’s emotions, energy, and communication on a whole new level - I would love to support you inside Synergy.
Synergy is my program where I teach you how to rebuild trust, confidence, energetic alignment, and deep communication with your dog, so training finally feels easy, connected, and mutual.
Dive deep into emotional alignment, connection-based training, and building lasting trust, without frustration or yelling.
For more about how dogs experience emotions watch the video below.
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