Your Dog Knows When You Are Upset and Wants to Help
Have you ever been feeling sad or broken down into tears, only to find that your dog rushes quickly by your side? A recent study suggests that dogs not only observe when you are upset or need help, they also will quickly come to your aid to assist.
This research, which was published in the journal, Learning and Behavior showed how dogs moved more quickly to get to their owners when they were making crying noises, rather than when they were humming a familiar tune.
A total of 34 dogs of various breeds, size, and ages and their owners were involved in the study. The findings were helpful in opening the door to discovering what influences service dogs to assist us when we need help the most.
Researchers were excited to receive confirmation that dogs are truly tuned in to human emotional states and that stories of dogs rescuing humans could be genuinely grounded in truth. They believe that this study is only the first step in discovering how and why canines are so in tune with human emotions.
Details of the Study
The dog and owner were put in two separate rooms which were only joined by a piece of Plexiglas. The owner sat behind the door, giving the appearance of being trapped. The owner could be seen and heard through the clear door.
One group was instructed to cry out for help every 15 seconds, in a distressed-sounding tone, followed by crying noises. The other group was told to say help in a monotone voice, and to hum “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” the rest of the time.
Only three magnets held the clear door closed, so the dog could easily swing it open. While dogs in both groups did swing open the door, it was the speed in which it occurred that is of importance here.
Among the group that appeared distressed, the dogs opened the door in about 23.43 seconds. In comparison, dogs came to visit the humming group after an average of 95.89 seconds had passed instead.
There was no connection made between the speed at which the dogs responded and the dog’s age or breed.
While it can’t be proven if other hidden factors caused the dogs to open the door more quickly, what can be said is that dogs who thought their owners were crying came to their aid much quicker than those who believed their loved ones to be okay.
Final Thought
A dog’s natural intuition is only second to a human being. Next time you are feeling blue, allow your canine companion to be that silent friend you can talk to about anything under the sun. Allow them to be by your side when you cry and help them fulfill the need that they instinctually have to comfort you.