Why We Misread Dog Emotions – And How to Get Better
Most people think they can tell how a dog feels just by looking—but research shows we’re not as accurate as we think. A recent study found humans often misinterpret dog emotions, especially confusing fear or anxiety for friendliness or excitement. This can lead to inappropriate interactions, sometimes even bites.
The problem is that people tend to rely too much on a dog’s facial expressions, which aren’t as expressive or readable as human faces. Instead, dogs communicate more through body posture, tail position, and movement. A wagging tail doesn’t always mean a happy dog—it depends on the speed, height, and direction of the wag.
Surprisingly, dog owners weren’t significantly better than non-owners at reading dog emotions. However, people with professional dog experience—such as trainers or vets—were far more accurate. This suggests emotional insight into dogs is a learned skill, not an innate one.
The good news? We can get better at understanding dogs. By learning to observe subtle cues—like a stiff body, lip licking, or tucked tails—we can more accurately judge a dog’s emotional state and respond appropriately.
Whether you’re a dog owner, professional, or just someone who interacts with dogs, improving your dog-reading skills can lead to safer, more respectful, and more enjoyable human-canine relationships.
Read the full article here:
Humans are bad at reading dogs’ emotions – but we can learn to do better
Link to the cited study:
Emotion recognition in dogs and humans: A study on visual perception
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