Science Confirms Dogs Can Tell When We’re Happy Or Sad

Science Confirms Dogs Can Tell When We’re Happy or Sad

It’s something many dog owners have long believed and now science is providing evidence to back it up: dogs can recognise and respond to human emotions. Research suggests that dogs are capable of picking up on emotional cues from their owners, including changes in facial expressions, voices and body language. This means our canine companions may be able to distinguish when we are feeling happy, sad or otherwise emotionally different. For dog owners, the findings offer scientific support for an experience that has long felt familiar: when you’re having a difficult day, your dog often seems to know.

The research highlights just how closely dogs have learned to understand humans, strengthening evidence that the bond between people and their pets goes far beyond simply providing food, shelter and companionship.