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<\/a><\/p>\nIf you are a dog owner and have a close, loving bond with your pup, you have probably wondered if he can read your mind or know what kind of mood you are feeling.\u00a0 Does he get clingy when you\u2019re depressed or feeling sick?\u00a0 When you have an argument with your partner, does your dog go and hide?<\/p>\n
Our dogs aren\u2019t clairvoyant, but they do have an uncanny ability to sense our emotions.\u00a0 How do they do it?<\/p>\n
Dog Truth<\/strong><\/h5>\nHumans and dogs have similar social systems. Both live in tight-knit family units (or packs) who protect each other and are very loyal. We both have complex language of facial expressions, vocalizations, and body posture that promote bonding.\u00a0 At some point in history, the early dogs learned to decode human nonverbal language.\u00a0 The better they anticipated our feelings and thoughts, the more they were rewarded with food, shelter, and affection.<\/p>\n
Are They Mind Readers?<\/strong><\/h5>\nWe are often amazed that our dogs are so astute, but think about it\u2026.. why wouldn\u2019t they be? A renowned dog trainer and author, Brian Kilcommons, pointed out: \u00a0what else do they have to do but watch us all day and study our every move?\u00a0 \u201cIs she happy?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cIs she angry or upset?\u201d \u201cShould I find a place to hide?\u201d\u00a0 Dogs must realize somehow that their fates are so closely tied to our feelings and whims, and so they are wise to monitor our moods.\u00a0 A good mood might mean an extra ear scratch or snuggle or a game of fetch\u2026.or even a treat!\u00a0 A bad mood might mean scary loud noises and yelling, and a day spent hiding under the bed.\u00a0\u00a0 It makes good sense that our dogs would watch us closely because our changing moods give them essential clues as to what is about to happen next for them.<\/p>\n
Dogs are great watchers and may be better observers than humans. We pay so much attention to spoken language that it often interferes with our ability to see the other things that are happening around us. In some ways, we rely too heavily on what we can see.\u00a0 Our visual system is so highly evolved that it tends to override the more primitive senses \u2013 smell, touch, and hearing.\u00a0 Those senses are highly developed in dogs, and we are often not aware of what we are missing.<\/p>\n
Another point is that we can\u2019t see ourselves.\u00a0 Your family, your friends, and your dog know your habitual movements, expressions, and verbalizations, but you may not.\u00a0 If you make a video of yourself interacting with your dog, you may be amazed at what you notice.<\/p>\n
Body Language<\/strong><\/p>\nIt is commonly said that around 90% of human communication is nonverbal (and only 10% is verbal).\u00a0 This may be difficult to believe, but if that is true then it\u2019s no wonder that our dogs can read us like a book.\u00a0 Our posture, gait, head carriage, and facial expressions speak volumes about our mood, motivation, and intent.\u00a0 If we act happy, our dogs wag tails excitedly and bring you their favorite toy for us to toss, or roll over for a belly rub.\u00a0\u00a0 If we hang our head in sorrow, they slowly slink over and may affectionately press their head in our lap.<\/p>\n
We are often amazed that our dogs are so astute, but think about it\u2026.. why wouldn\u2019t they be? A renowned dog trainer and author, Brian Kilcommons, pointed out: \u00a0what else do they have to do but watch us all day and study our every move?\u00a0 \u201cIs she happy?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cIs she angry or upset?\u201d \u201cShould I find a place to hide?\u201d\u00a0 Dogs must realize somehow that their fates are so closely tied to our feelings and whims, and so they are wise to monitor our moods.\u00a0 A good mood might mean an extra ear scratch or snuggle or a game of fetch\u2026.or even a treat!\u00a0 A bad mood might mean scary loud noises and yelling, and a day spent hiding under the bed.\u00a0\u00a0 It makes good sense that our dogs would watch us closely because our changing moods give them essential clues as to what is about to happen next for them.<\/p>\n
Dogs are great watchers and may be better observers than humans. We pay so much attention to spoken language that it often interferes with our ability to see the other things that are happening around us. In some ways, we rely too heavily on what we can see.\u00a0 Our visual system is so highly evolved that it tends to override the more primitive senses \u2013 smell, touch, and hearing.\u00a0 Those senses are highly developed in dogs, and we are often not aware of what we are missing.<\/p>\n
Another point is that we can\u2019t see ourselves.\u00a0 Your family, your friends, and your dog know your habitual movements, expressions, and verbalizations, but you may not.\u00a0 If you make a video of yourself interacting with your dog, you may be amazed at what you notice.<\/p>\n
Body Language<\/strong><\/p>\n It is commonly said that around 90% of human communication is nonverbal (and only 10% is verbal).\u00a0 This may be difficult to believe, but if that is true then it\u2019s no wonder that our dogs can read us like a book.\u00a0 Our posture, gait, head carriage, and facial expressions speak volumes about our mood, motivation, and intent.\u00a0 If we act happy, our dogs wag tails excitedly and bring you their favorite toy for us to toss, or roll over for a belly rub.\u00a0\u00a0 If we hang our head in sorrow, they slowly slink over and may affectionately press their head in our lap.<\/p>\n