Do Dogs Get Stressed When You Do? New Study Shows They Can 'Smell' Your Anxiety

When we're stressed, it’s not just us who feel the strain. A recent study published in the Scientific Reports journal has revealed that dogs might also experience negative emotions when they sense stress in humans. This groundbreaking research highlights the profound connection between humans and their furry companions, demonstrating how our emotions can influence our dogs' behavior, learning abilities, and overall wellbeing.

The Study: Dogs and Human Stress

Image Source: Pixabay

Researchers at the University of Bristol, UK, led by senior lecturer Nicola Rooney, embarked on a study to determine whether dogs are affected by the scent of stress emanating from humans. It is already well-documented that the smell from a stressed person can subconsciously influence the mental state of other people, impacting their emotions and decisions. However, the research team aimed to uncover if this phenomenon extends to dogs as well.

“Dog owners know how attuned their pets are to their emotions, but here we show that even the odour of a stressed, unfamiliar human affects a dog's emotional state, perception of rewards, and ability to learn,” said Rooney, the lead author of the study.

This insight aligns with the observations of many dog owners who believe that their pets can pick up on their emotional cues. Rooney further emphasized, “Working dog handlers often describe stress traveling down the lead, but we've also shown it can also travel through the air.”

The Experiment: How Stress Affects Dogs’ Decision-Making

To investigate this theory, the researchers conducted a series of trials involving 18 dog-owner pairs. The objective was to assess how a dog's learning and emotional state were influenced by a stressed human's scent. The study centered on the hypothesis that dogs make 'optimistic' or 'pessimistic' choices based on their emotional state, with optimism indicating positive emotions and pessimism pointing to negative ones.

During the trials, dogs were exposed to various odours: some had no scent, while others came from sweat and breath samples of stressed or relaxed individuals. The dogs were initially trained to associate a food bowl in one location with a treat and another bowl in a different spot as empty. Once the dogs learned this distinction, the real test began.

Image Source: Pexels

Researchers introduced "new, ambiguous" bowl locations positioned between the original two, observing how quickly the dogs would approach them. A swift, eager approach indicated an 'optimistic' mindset, suggesting the dogs were in a positive emotional state, hoping to find a treat. Conversely, a slow, hesitant approach signaled 'pessimism' and a negative emotional state, indicating that the dogs were cautious or expecting disappointment.

Findings: Stress Smell Affects Dogs’ Emotional States

The study's results were revealing. Dogs exposed to the scent of stress exhibited slower approaches to the new bowl locations, suggesting a pessimistic attitude about finding a treat. This behavior implied that the stress odour negatively impacted their emotional state, making them less optimistic and confident. In contrast, dogs exposed to the scent of relaxed individuals did not display this hesitation, indicating a more positive emotional state and a willingness to engage.

Image Source: Pexels

The researchers concluded that the 'pessimistic' response observed in dogs might be a mechanism for conserving energy and avoiding potential disappointment. This finding is significant, highlighting how human stress can inadvertently influence a dog's wellbeing, behavior, and ability to learn.

Implications: What This Means for Dog Owners

Image Source: Pexels

Understanding how our emotional states affect our canine companions is crucial, particularly for those in training roles such as assistance dogs and working dogs.

“Understanding how human stress affects dogs' wellbeing is an important consideration for dogs in kennels and when training companion dogs and dogs for working roles such as assistance dogs,” noted Rooney.

For pet owners, this study signifies the importance of maintaining a calm and relaxed demeanor around their dogs. Being mindful of our own stress levels can have a direct impact on our pets, potentially affecting their mood, behavior, and even their learning processes.