Have you ever noticed that when you are feeling fearful, your dog becomes more attentive and clingy?
Have you also noticed that your dog may behave differently around people who like dogs versus people who are afraid of dogs?
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, but can they smell fear? And if so, how?
Is It True That Dogs Can Smell Fear?
The science is in, and the answer is a resounding YES—dogs can smell fear. Dogs have olfactory superpowers that can detect a human’s emotional state by the scent that a human emits. That’s right—you can’t hide fear from dogs. They’ve got your number!
Until recently, the idea that dogs can smell fear was only a theory, but a study called “Interspecies transmission of emotional information via chemosignals: from humans to dogs” actually proves that dogs (or at least Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers) can smell human emotions and respond accordingly.
When a person gets scared, their sweat glands will start secreting moisture, especially in the armpits. This sweat contains chemical signals that dogs can pick up on.
Can Dogs Smell the Difference Between Fear and Happiness?
Researchers correctly postulated that dogs would respond differently to human odors that were emitted under different emotional states—namely, fear and happiness.
In the study, dogs were exposed to three stimuli—their owner, a stranger (the control) and an odor dispenser. Dogs were assigned to different odor conditions randomly.
They collected odors from humans in three different emotional states: fearful, happy and neutral (no sweat). The odors were collected from the armpits of random male donors who were not otherwise involved in the experiment procedures.
The dogs were then observed for responses, including behaviors directed at the three targets, stress behaviors and heart rate. Researchers found that when the dogs were exposed to “happy odors,” they interacted more with the stranger and had lower heart rates.
In contrast, when the dogs were exposed to the “fear odor,” they displayed more stress behaviors and had higher heart rates associated with the fight, flight or freeze response—a bodily response of theautonomic nervous systemthat is essential for adaptation and survival.
The dogs also sought more reassurance from their owners and interacted with the stranger less than the dogs that were exposed to the “happy odor.”
Researchers concluded that chemosignals—odors that we emit in response to our emotional state—communicate across species to dogs. So, if we are scared, they can smell it and get scared, too.
What Your Dog’s Senses Can Tell You About Your Own Emotions
Dogs can help us recognize our own emotional states. Many people who have chronic anxiety may not even be aware that they are walking around in fight, flight or freeze mode.
A dog that’s in tune with how you exhibit stress or fear can help signal the onset of these emotions and help you better work through feelings of anxiety.
It’s also important to acknowledge that dogs can feed off of your energy. So, try to temper your mindset throughout tense situations—say, like at your next vet visit—to help keep your pet more at ease.
Your mental health and that of your pet are both important. If you take note of how your dog is behaving, you might learn more about your own mood and mental state than expected.
By: Dr. Sarah Wooten
Featured Image: iStock.com/Marsco Roasario Venturini Autieri
FAQs
Indeed, it has been shown that dogs experience an increased heart-rate and show signs of stress when they sniff the sweat of fearful humans. So, it seems fairly clear that dogs can smell fear.
What happens if a dog smells fear? ›
Can dogs smell an emotion? Experts who have studied dogs and their sense of smell have concluded that dogs can't necessarily smell the emotion that is fear. They can, however, detect smells and see movements and body postures that may help them sense when a person is nervous, anxious, or afraid.
Can dogs tell if you're scared of them? ›
The apocrine gland secretes fatty sweat, which when in contact with bacteria produces an odour. When people are afraid, they sweat more. Our reflexes prepare us to flee from frightening situations. Dogs detect this strong odour when we become nervous or scared around them.
Do dogs bite if they sense fear? ›
Nervous people sweat and release cortisol and adrenaline, scents dogs can distinguish as signs of fear. All of these factors can cause a dog to become aggressive and bite. There are many other reasons for aggression in dogs: Pent up energy – All dogs, regardless of their breed have a prey drive.
Can my dog smell my anxiety? ›
Yes, your dog really can sniff that you're upset.
Can dogs sense suicidal thoughts? ›
Your dog's loving eyes and constant companionship might improve your mood any day, but experts believe dogs can also sense depression and anxiety in people.
How do dogs react to fear? ›
A scared or frightened dog may also display aggression, including barking or growling, if it feels it cannot escape what is feared. Avoidance behaviors such as running away, hiding or backing up into a corner may also be seen.
Can dogs smell period blood? ›
The reason for this is that dogs' noses are equipped with—get this—300 million special receptors. In addition, a portion of their brains is dedicated to processing scents, which makes their sense of smell 40 times more powerful than ours. So, yes, dogs know when we're having our red-letter days.
What do dogs do when they sense anxiety in humans? ›
Do Dogs Know When you are Stressed? Many dog owners will say their dog can sense their emotions of being stressed or depressed. Their dog will respond by acting differently toward them, have a concerned look or sit beside them to show support.
Can dogs smell arousal? ›
They likely recognize the smell of pheromones when people become aroused and other scents associated with people engaging in intimacy. At this point, there is no evidence that dogs understand that what is actually happening is affection and/or intercourse.
So if dogs learn what their humans consider right from wrong, and they make the wrong choice, do they feel guilty? Although some experts have used her study to conclude that dogs don't really experience guilt, Dr. Horowitz advises that we really can't know for sure.
Do dogs warn before they bite? ›
Aggressive body language: Dogs display various signs of aggression before they bite. These signs include raised fur along the back, a stiff and tense body posture, bared teeth, growling, snarling, and a direct, intense stare. Growling or snapping: Growling or snapping their teeth is a warning sign a dog will bite.
Why do dogs chase you when you're scared? ›
Though there have been theories about this before, the link was usually attributed to the fact that dogs have an incredible sense of smell and thus can physically smell sweat, as well as adrenaline and cortisol, which are also produced during times of increased levels of stress, anxiety, or fear.
What happens if a dog smells your fear? ›
Indeed, it has been shown that dogs experience an increased heart-rate and show signs of stress when they sniff the sweat of fearful humans. So, it seems fairly clear that dogs can smell fear.
Why do dogs lick you? ›
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Can dogs detect bad people? ›
New Scientist describes a study that investigated the reactions of dogs to people who either helped or refused to help their owners. The researchers found that the dogs could pick out antisocial behavior and were more likely to socially exclude or react unfavorably toward the perpetrator.
Can dogs release a smell when scared? ›
If a dog is stressed or frightened, a large amount the the anal gland secretions can be expressed all at once, leaving a very strong fishy or musky odor behind.
Can dogs smell danger? ›
04/6Danger detection
In addition to their excellent sense of smell, dogs are sensitive to aromas and have the ability to read body language and subtle facial expressions. This unique skill allows them to predict potential danger.
Can dogs smell sickness in humans? ›
So, dogs know a person's individual smell and when illness changes that smell, dogs can notice that, too. Even humans can observe the scent of sickness with some health problems. For example, diabetic ketoacidosis can cause fruity or acetone-smelling breath.
