Understanding the Emotions of Dogs
[7-8-2024 ~ Rebekah Baheerathen]
Building a relationship with your dog begins with understanding how they communicate and understanding their emotions. Yes, you heard that right. Dogs require more than just belly rubs and treats. While these things definitely make your dog happy, truly understanding your friendly pup starts with understanding their emotions. Jane Miller discussed this in detail in a conversation she had with Andrew Hale. Check it out here.
Below, you will find a list of compiled tips that Miller and Hale discuss, as well as some additional helpful insights.
Building bonds with your furry friend!
Calming Yourself Can Calm Your Dog
Your dog can mirror your behavior. Mindfulness meditation can assist in the release of hyperactive energy in both a human and their furry companion. Here are some key points:
- Impact on Animals: We have a huge impact on our animals. You can’t fully be present with your dog if you are overwhelmed, and your dog can sense and reflect back when you’re tense. This is why mindfulness meditation is important.
- Offering from Our Dysfunction: Just like how a horse adjusts to the way we move when we ride it, our dogs pick up on and respond to our behavior and emotional state. If we have dysfunctional habits or patterns, we can pass those on to our dogs, affecting their behavior and well-being.
Training and Obedience
When our dogs are trying to communicate their needs and we fail to respond appropriately, they often do not get the relief they seek. Behaviors like barking are frequently frowned upon, but it’s essential to understand why they occur.
- Vagus Nerve: The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in helping you remain in a relaxed state, which is essential for connecting with others. When you are in the sympathetic nervous system (an activated state), your ability to think clearly diminishes, and your frontal lobe is effectively shut down. This same principle applies to our friendly pups. If your dog seems to ignore you while barking at a cat, it’s important to stay calm and perform breathing exercises to activate your ventral vagal nerve. This helps you regain composure and effectively communicate with your dog. As long as the situation is not dangerous, focus on calming yourself down first. Try this 4-7-8 breathing exercise!
- Preconceived Expectations: Hoping your dog will be extroverted when they’re naturally shy and reserved can negatively impact their potential. Rather than pushing them to be what you want them to be, try to consider the dog they naturally are. Embrace and support their unique personality—as long as it doesn’t pose a threat to other people and animals.
Attachment Theory
Attachment theory, proposed by John Bowlby, suggests that the way an individual forms relationships is based on how their caregiver treated them. For example, if you were constantly overlooked and ignored, you may be avoidantly attached and may struggle to open up to others.
- Rescue Dogs: In this way, a rescue dog may have gone through significant trauma with their past owners. It’s important to have compassion and take things slow when attempting to acclimate them to particular contexts.
Facial Expressions
Understanding a dog’s facial expressions can provide significant insight into their emotional state, below are a few indicators to determine how your dog is feeling:
- Licking: Particularly when they flick their tongue, it can sometimes mean they’re feeling distressed and uncomfortable (Gibeault, 2023).
- Whale Eyes: When you can see the whites of your dog’s eyes, it indicates they feel anxious (Gibeault, 2023).
- Running away, fighting back, or freezing: Overwhelmed (Fenzi, 2018).
Understanding your dog involves continuing to educate yourself through classes and videos. Just like humans, dogs have wants and needs, and it’s important to be aware of them. Fully caring for your pup means understanding how they feel.
If you are interested in learning more about your pup, visit healing-companions.org to watch videos and read more informational articles. For more personalized feedback, contact Jane Miller. She’s always happy to help others understand their furry friends.
References
Fenzi, D. (2018, January 18). How Can You Know What Your Dog is Feeling?. Whole Dog Journal. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/how-can-you-know-what-your-dog-is-feeling/
Gibeault, S. (2023, June 22). How To Read Dog Body Language. American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/sports/title-recognition-program/therapy-dog-program/what-is-a-therapy-dog
