Emotions In Dogs

The question of emotions in dogs has always been a dilemma for scientists and animal lovers. Are dogs capable of feeling emotions? We of My Animals , as lovers of animals and dogs in particular, obviously believe so.

In fact, the more time we spend with our dog, the easier it is for us to distinguish the mood or his emotions according to his gestures, his attitudes, his way of walking and even the sounds he emits. But let’s start from the beginning and start by analyzing what emotions are.

What are emotions?

Emotions can be divided into 2 groups: positive and negative. Both of them push the animal (in this case your dog) to react in one way or another to situations, and to behave accordingly.

For example, when your dog sees you coming home, he feels a positive emotion, because he adores you and wants to see you. This emotion leads him to be happy, to jump and whine around you; after which he feels serene, peaceful and safe.

Another example: when your dog sees something he is afraid of, he feels a negative emotion, an emotion related to fear. It leads him to be nervous, to run, to tremble or to hide. It makes him feel vulnerable and sad, as well as scared.

Therefore by the word emotions  we mean what leads your dog to act in one way rather than another, which consequently makes him feel in a certain way. Simple, isn’t it?

What emotions can your dog feel?

Although many people are against the idea that a dog can have emotions, the reality is that people who have or have had animals have been able to clearly understand how they feel emotions, just like we do. Here are some of the emotions dogs can experience:

• Excitement: We cannot deny that animals have the ability to feel love, to get excited or excited when they see the person they love, when they meet the dog friend who lives next door or when they are fed their favorite dish.
• Shyness: This may not be your specific case, but there are many dogs who are extremely shy, who don’t like being with people they don’t know and who hide behind their owners, seeking refuge.

• Fear: How many times have you seen your dog hiding under the bed or behind the sofa after hearing firecrackers or an ambulance siren? This is because dogs are also afraid, and this is one of the negative emotions they can feel.

• Anger: It is obvious that dogs get angry, for example when another dog tries to remove their food, or when you want to take their favorite toy out of their mouth. They show their anger even when someone, perhaps as a joke, tries to attack you. Do you still have doubts that dogs feel emotions?
• Discontent: Have you ever noticed your dog’s face when he wants you to give him something from your plate and instead offer him food he doesn’t like like a piece of bread? These are the moments when we remember the phrase that says that “if a look could kill …”, yes, then your dog would have killed you many times already. Is there a more expressive way to express discontent?
• Affection: your dog looks for you as often as he can, jumps on you, strokes you with his head, in other words he gives you and needs affection.

Without a doubt, dogs feel emotions. It is something that even scientists are increasingly convinced of. Even though animals are not rational, they are capable of feeling and demonstrating their feelings. Obviously they don’t do it through words like we do, but they do it through gestures, looks and their attitudes.

Is there anyone who still has the courage to argue that dogs do not feel emotions?