Can Human Stress Levels Affect Dogs?

Can Human Stress Levels Affect Dogs?

As dog lovers, many of us may have noticed times when our furry companions seem to sense our moods. Dogs seem to be able to tell when we are happy and excited. However, they can also sense when we are unhappy, or stressed – which can impact on their own emotional state. Read our Holidays4Dogs article to find out whether human stress levels affect dogs.

Recently, a study carried out by Bristol University, confirmed that dogs can, indeed, detect human stress and, what’s more. they can ‘smell’ it. Researchers were keen to find out whether dogs experience changes in their own emotional state, in response to human stress odours. They discovered that dogs can either become ‘pessimistic’ or, ‘optimistic’, depending on the emotional state of their owner.

Similar research has found that a dog’s heart rate can change in response to the stress levels/heart rate, detected in their owners

What were the findings of the research?

Bristol University.

18 dog/owner participants were recruited to take part in a series of trials. To begin with, the dogs were taught that if a bowl was placed in one location it contained a treat. In another location the bowl was always empty. The dogs soon learned which location would always contain the treat. The speed at which they went to the bowls was recorded. The dogs were always faster to approach the bowl containing the treat.

The researchers then tested to see how quickly the dogs would approach new ambiguous bowls, placed between the original two. A faster approach to the ambiguous bowls was deemed to be a marker of a positive emotional state. In other words, the dogs were optimistic a treat may be contained in one of the new bowls. A slow approach indicated a more negative, pessimistic, emotional state of dogs less sure of finding a treat.

Next, the dogs were exposed to breath and sweat samples from their owners. These samples were taken when the person was either moderately stressed, (completing a maths test), or in a relaxed state, (listening to calm music).

The results showed that the stress sample, made the dogs slower to approach the ambiguous bowl, nearest to the known empty bowl. The behaviour was not seen when the dogs were exposed to the relaxed odour.

The Researchers concluded the stress odour caused the dogs to be more pessimistic. As a result, they were less inclined to approach the new location, closest to the original empty bowl, as it was unlikely to contain food.

It was suggested the reason for this behaviour, was so the dogs could preserve energy by not wasting time investigating an unlikely food source. However, the main finding was that the dogs do respond to stress levels in their owners.

Queen’s University, Belfast.

Another study carried out at Queen’s University, Belfast, also discovered that dogs can detect stress levels in humans. More importantly, the study showed that this can impact on a dog’s own emotional state and heart rate. In a series of tests, each dog owner’s heart rate was monitored. It was found that changes in the owner’s heart rate, predicted subsequent changes in the dog’s. Thus, confirming that dogs respond to the stress levels in their owners.

What do the results tell us about managing stress in dogs?

Just like people, experiencing stress, can have a detrimental effect on health and welfare. It now seems that our own stresses and strains can have an effect on our dogs. Therefore, if we feel stressed in certain situations – like walking a reactive dog, or visiting the vet – this can have a knock-on effect with our pets.

How can we protect our dogs from human stress?

While we cannot shield our pets from every stress factor we experience as humans, there are circumstances where we can try to stay calm in order to help our dogs. Being a calm presence for your dog, does help to reduce stress. It also makes them feel safer.

This is important when it comes to training, walking, going to different locations, or visiting the vet, for example. This is a two-way thing, though. By helping dogs, we also help ourselves.

Recognising our own emotional states and learning how to control them, helps not just us, but our canine companions too. While dogs thrive on engaging activities which can relieve stress for both dog and owner, they also need time out.

Likewise, this helps us too. A quiet break works both ways and helps both dog and owner to relax. Take time to practice mindfulness, while gently stroking your dog. This will provide you with a sense of calm and will, no doubt, have a positive effect on your dog too.

By managing our own stress and being more aware of our own emotions, we not only help ourselves, but we improve the well-being of our loyal four-legged companions.