Dogs are not only man’s best friend, but also a keen observer of human emotions, according to a new study published in the journal Animal Cognition1. The researchers found that dogs can recognize and respond to different emotional expressions on human faces, such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear.
The study involved 17 pet dogs of various breeds and ages, who were trained to touch a screen with their nose when they saw a human face. The dogs were shown pairs of faces with different emotions, such as happy and angry, or sad and fearful. The faces belonged to either their owner or a stranger, and were either male or female.
The researchers measured the dogs’ accuracy and reaction time in choosing the correct face for each emotion pair. They also recorded the dogs’ heart rate and behavior during the task.
The results showed that dogs were able to distinguish between different emotions on human faces, and that they were faster and more accurate when the faces belonged to their owner. The dogs also showed more signs of stress, such as licking their lips or yawning, when they saw negative emotions, especially anger and fear.
The researchers concluded that dogs have a sophisticated ability to recognize human emotions, and that this ability is influenced by their bond with their owner. They suggested that dogs may have learned to associate certain facial expressions with positive or negative outcomes, such as praise or punishment, and that this may help them to communicate and cooperate with humans.
The study adds to the growing evidence that dogs are highly sensitive to human social cues, and that they can adapt to different situations and contexts. The researchers hope that their findings will inspire further research on the cognitive and emotional abilities of dogs, and how they can improve the well-being of both humans and animals.