There's a simple answer.
It's YES.
But there is a longer explanation. For anyone interested in "longer," read on.
It's YES.
But there is a longer explanation. For anyone interested in "longer," read on.
Australian Shepherd enjoying a shallow creek and a stick.
Dog Emotions
Much research has been done on dogs. The conclusions? Dogs can experience basic emotions, including joy, fear, love, sadness, and anger. But they experience it like a toddler.
Dogs can also MIRROR your emotions. How? Two ways.
Much research has been done on dogs. The conclusions? Dogs can experience basic emotions, including joy, fear, love, sadness, and anger. But they experience it like a toddler.
Dogs can also MIRROR your emotions. How? Two ways.
- Smell - your emotions trigger chemical changes in your body--your dog can smell that.
- Behavioral Changes - you know how well you know your dog? They know you just as well. Facial expressions, mannerisms, tone of voice, gestures, etc. will clue your dog into your emotions at any given time.
Bernese Mountain Dog having some snow fun.
Signs of Happiness
When you know your dog, you can tell when they are happy.
New toys at my house mean plenty of upside down time, just chewing away on the new thing. Our Jack Russell cross and English Setter Lilah are especially good at giving us this sign of happiness. But Lilah also looks like she is smiling while romping around with a new toy.
When you know your dog, you can tell when they are happy.
New toys at my house mean plenty of upside down time, just chewing away on the new thing. Our Jack Russell cross and English Setter Lilah are especially good at giving us this sign of happiness. But Lilah also looks like she is smiling while romping around with a new toy.
Lilah with her new red ball.
That wagging tail may also be a sign of happiness at any given time. But tail wagging can be many things, just like in Hawaii where Aloha means both Hello and Goodbye. Tail wagging, depending on other body signals from our dogs, can also mean nervousness, fear, and other emotions.
Suffice it to say, our dogs DO IN FACT, experience emotions. Joy is one of them! I don't know about you, but I'm HAPPY about that!
Click Into the Circle
I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (joy), start here with Nicole Hrustyk of Pawtraits by Nicole as she honors her dog's memory with a tribute blog post.
Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here.
Have a great weekend! Enjoy!
Suffice it to say, our dogs DO IN FACT, experience emotions. Joy is one of them! I don't know about you, but I'm HAPPY about that!
Click Into the Circle
I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic (joy), start here with Nicole Hrustyk of Pawtraits by Nicole as she honors her dog's memory with a tribute blog post.
Then find the link at the end of each blog to click on to the next photographer, until you find yourself back here.
Have a great weekend! Enjoy!
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