Source: Health Day
Dogs can detect human stress through scent, influencing their emotions and decisions, according to new research from Bristol Veterinary School. The study led by Dr. Nicola Rooney revealed that dogs can sense stress from unfamiliar humans, affecting their perception of rewards and learning ability. The experiment involved training dogs to identify bowls containing food based on location. When exposed to ambiguous bowl positions, dogs showed “optimistic” or “pessimistic” responses based on prior exposure to human stress odors.
Dogs exposed to “stressed” human scents were less eager to approach, reflecting a negative emotional state, while those exposed to “relaxed” scents showed no such hesitation. This suggests that dogs’ ability to sense human stress could help conserve energy and avoid disappointment. These findings have implications for the well-being of dogs in kennels and training environments, highlighting the importance of considering human stress impacts on canine companions and working dogs.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.healthday.com/health-news/pets/dogs-can-smell-your-stress-and-make-choices-based-on-it