Canine Emotions

9.1 Introduction

Do dogs love? Can they feel shame? Jealousy? Pride? The concept of canine emotions has fascinated us since dogs have been seen as pets. This module will look at the concept of emotions in dogs and look at how dogs show their emotions. Additionally, we will look at the signs that might indicate a dog is suffering.

9.2 An Intro to Dogs and Emotions

Most people who own dogs can easily read the emotions of their dog, or so they believe.

For instance

You might come home from a long day at work and see the dog wagging its tail, dancing around and giving you licks. You might think, 'Bella is happy to see me, she must love me'. You might have taken your dog out on a walk and be approached by another dog. The dog freezes, the hackles rise and a low growl is heard. In this case, you might think, 'Charlie is not happy to see this dog. He must be angry'.

It is very easy for us to assign emotions to the actions we see from our dogs, simply because we are emotional creatures. The question is, however, how many of the emotions that we feel appear in canines? In years past, it was thought that dogs had very high intelligence and that their feelings were almost identical to humans. Additionally, it was believed that they could understand our language, just as easily as we can understand other humans. We know now, however, that this is not totally true. Though it is true when compared to other animals, that dogs are more intelligent than most other mammals, they do not have the same level of intelligence, both mental and emotional, that we do.

9.3 A Brief History of the Research into Dog Emotions

The first person to really look into the intelligence and emotions of canines was the French scientist and philosopher Rene Descartes. His theory was that animals, including dogs, were nothing more than a type of machine, filled with biological pulleys and gears. Since a dog was ultimately a machine, according to Descartes, they could not experience emotion. Instead, like other machines, the dog could be “programmed', through training, to do certain things. Another philosopher, Nicholas de Malebranche, took the ideas of Descartes and took them even further. He believed that animals had no emotions at all and claimed that they do not have any desires, fears, knowledge, pleasure, or pain.

Today, we have a difficult time understanding why these men believed that dogs have no emotions. We know, for example, that if you challenge a dog in any way, that it is clearly angry because it snaps or snarls. Or, we might say that a dog is obviously feeling fear, if they whimper and run away. However, these philosophers would explain the actions of the dog by saying the dog was not feeling anything, it was simply acting, as it is programmed to snap and growl at anything that seems to be a threat. If the threat is too great, the dog is programmed to run.

One might argue, in this case, that if you hit a dog, for instance, it will yelp in fear and pain. Descartes and his followers would likely respond that if you hit a chair, it too makes a sound. Does this mean that the chair is fearful and in pain? Descartes and the others simply had an idea. We, however, have science - and this has proven to us that dogs have the same emotion producing structures in the brain as we do. They also have the same hormones that produce emotions and their brains undergo the same chemical changes as ours do, when in certain emotional states.

Dogs even have oxytocin, the 'love hormone' in their brains, so we know that they feel love and affection. Thus, it seems reasonable that dogs have the same emotions that we do because we share the same chemistry and neurology. However, it is important that we do not assume that the range of emotions we feel are not the same as those a dog feels.

9.4 Understanding What Dogs Feel

To fully understand what dogs feel, we should look at the research that has been done on human emotions. You might be surprised that not all people have a full range of emotions - and those who do, will not develop all emotions until adulthood. There is a lot of research that shows infants have a limited range of emotions. Only over time do our emotions develop, though some people do not develop all emotions.

Why is this so important?

Because it can help us understand the emotions that dogs feel. Scientists have found that the mind of a dog is equivalent to a two and a half-year-old child, which was discussed previously in this course. This tells us that the emotions of a toddler and those of a dog are extremely similar - and both the child and the dog can feel the same emotions.

When we are born, the only emotion we have is excitement. When a baby is not feeling excitement, it might be very calm, but when feeling a lot of excitement, the baby will become frenzied. Within the first couple of weeks of a baby's life, however, the excitement begins to take on a positive or negative stance, which we can now detect as either a content emotion or a distressful emotion. Over the next few months, the baby will start showing emotions, including fear, disgust and anger.

Joy, another emotion, usually appears at around six months of age and is soon followed by suspicion and shyness. Real and true affection does not emerge until the child is around nine to ten months old. Complex social emotions, such as pride or shame, do not appear until the child is about three years old - and guilt and contempt do not appear until the child is nearly four years old.

Understanding canine emotions

All of this development is the key to the full understanding of canine emotions. Though dogs learn and experience emotions much quicker than humans, usually having their full range by about six months of age, they stop developing emotions at some point - and they only have the emotional capacity that is equivalent to a two-year-old child. So, what emotions can a dog feel?

They can feel the following:

-Anger

-Fear

-Excitement

-Distress

-Disgust

-Contentment

-Joy

-Suspicion

-Love

However, dogs cannot feel complex emotions, such as pride, guilt and shame. There is usually no argument from pet owners about pride or shame, but some dog owners do believe that their dogs can feel guilt. This does make sense, however, though it is untrue. Think, for a moment, that you have just come home and your dog is acting quite shy and - as you interpret it - guilty. You then notice your brand new pair of shoes in the corner, all chewed up.

It is natural for you to believe that your dog is feeling guilty about chewing up the shoes, but the dog is not showing that at all. This is not guilt, but instead, the dog is showing fear. The dog knows that it is not supposed to chew on things and when you appear and notice it, a bad thing will happen, such as getting disciplined. What you are seeing is simple - a dog afraid of the punishment coming its way, not a guilty dog.

Dogs are the best-loved companions and people often turn to their dogs when they feel stressed or tensed. Canines seem to have the power to understand us and comfort us during difficult times. Dogs are capable of feeling a wide range of emotion and this is why they're often used in therapy centres. Canines are increasingly used in mental and emotional health support programmes for their ability to offer unconditional love.

For example:

In the UK, “PAT' or Pets as Therapy programme has more than 5,000 PAT dogs which are used to interact with more than 130,000 people each week. Sigmund Freud, the well-known scientist, is considered the accidental pioneer of canine-assisted therapy as he observed his patients were more comfortable when his pet Chow Chow, Jofi, was present.

When we stroke our pets, this releases Oxytocin and your pet feels happy. Similarly, dogs in stressful situations show a rise in the levels of cortisol (a stress hormone). Studies show that being left alone at home releases cortisol in dogs as they are naturally social animals and need company. Dogs are very good at understanding human beings but sadly, we're still not as adept at understanding our pets. Canines cannot distinguish between right and wrong without training and they base their emotional responses on past situations.

9.5 The Science Behind Specific Canine Emotions

To fully understand canine emotions, it can help to look at the research and science behind the claims of these emotions. Here are a few studies and information about the emotions you might come into contact with if you have or work with a dog.

Laughter

Do you believe that your dog laughs? You might have heard your dog panting whilst playing and thought that it sounded quite like a little chuckle. You might actually be correct! A researcher from Sierra Nevada College in the U.S., Patricia Simonet, has discovered that when dogs make certain breaths, called “excited exhalations', that this is a form of laughter. Her team brought a special microphone to a park and whilst standing at a distance, recorded the sound of dogs at play. The team discovered that the noises they made were very different from the way a dog normally pants. Later, they played the sounds to other dogs, which then began playing. They also found that the sounds helped to ease stress in dogs.

Jealousy

Friederike Range, a researcher from the University of Vienna, did research on dogs that led her to believe that dogs have a sense of 'fairness'. Range and her team began by looking at a group of dogs that were aware of the command for 'shake'. The team would ask the dogs to shake and some dogs were given a treat. When the dogs that did not receive the treat saw that the other dogs were getting a treat, they stopped performing the actions. This showed that the dogs were jealous they were not treated as fairly as their peers.

Grief

Though dogs do not grieve the same way as humans do, they certainly experience sadness when they experience a loss, such as when another dog in the family passes away. Some of the ways that dogs show grief include fear, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression and sleeping more or less than usual.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals did a study in 1996, which looked at the mourning process in dogs. They studied dogs that had recently lost a canine companion. They found that 66% of these dogs showed behavioural changes, following their loss. Most of the dogs in the study returned to their normal behaviour, in approximately two weeks, but in some cases, it took several months.

Joy

If you have ever watched a dog playing, you know first-hand that a dog can experience joy. Even the famed novelist, Charles Darwin, wrote about the play of dogs and how they “'bark for joy', when playing. Remember, playing helps a dog to build a social bond with others, including humans, how to build trust and how to cooperate. Play also helps dogs to improve and enhance their cognitive skills. as soon as possible - and this is what this module aims to do.

FACT

Scientific studies are not only proving that dogs do have feelings, they are finding that canine emotions are more complex than we thought.

Source: puppyleaks.com

9.6 The Signs of Suffering in Dogs

One of the worst things that you can witness as a dog owner is suffering in your beloved pet. No one wants to ever see their dog in pain and, in some cases, it is very difficult to know when a dog is feeling pain. Though it is true that a dog might have something noticeable, such as a limp or large gash on its leg, not all suffering is as easily seen. There are times where the signs of pain in a dog are much more subtle. It is during these times that a dog owner requires guidance on what to look for.

Some dogs are very stoic and they do an excellent job at hiding their pain. However, we certainly would rather know when a dog is suffering. Fortunately, there are some signs that can show us that a dog is experiencing pain, even if it is not totally obvious. If you are familiar with what is 'normal' for your dog, it is usually much easier to notice when a dog is in pain. Take the dog's normal energy level, attitude, sleep patterns, thirst, appetite and any other pattern you can think of - if they start displaying a behaviour that is different from 'normal', this could be a sign that something might be wrong.

For example

If a dog usually begs for his or her supper each night, but on a certain night simply lays in the dog bed, this is a good sign that something is wrong. When you notice that something is 'off' with your dog, you will want to evaluate them for pain. This can be very dangerous, however, as many dogs will snap or bite if they are in pain, even if they have never attempted to bite before. Here are some other signs to look for:-

Changes in Breathing Patterns

Dogs that experience pain often have fast or shallow breathing - and they might begin panting. You might even notice that there is a strange movement in the abdominal muscles, or in the chest.

Pulse or Heartbeat Changes

Dogs who are experiencing pain also often have a high pulse rate, or rapid heartbeat. The rate of the pulse often speeds up, when the area in pain is moved or touched. The normal heart rate for a dog is 60 to 140 beats per minute. To determine the heart rate of a dog, place your hand on its chest and then count how many pulses you feel within 15 seconds. Multiply this by four, to get the beats per minute.

Changes in Posture

Dogs that are feeling pain might also assume a rigid stance that looks like a sawhorse. Others might go into a 'prayer' position, where they put their front legs straight on the ground in front of them and their hindquarters in the air. This looks very similar to the 'play bow', but it is certainly not playful. Some dogs in pain lie around, whilst others become more 'antsy' and have issues with settling down or getting comfortable. This all depends on the dog, the location of the pain, the severity of the pain and even the type of pain. Some posture changes are more subtle, yet still noticeable, such as a tucked tail, or walking with an arch in the back.

Changes in the Eyes

You also might be able to see changes in the eyes of the dog, as the eyes can be an excellent indicator of pain. In many cases, pain in the body results in large, dilated pupils. Pain in the eyes might appear as constricted pupils. Dogs that are in pain might also squint - and if the eye itself is painful, it might appear bloodshot.

Changes in Appetite and Thirst

A dog in pain will often show changes in appetite and they might eat or drink less than normal. This is especially the case if the dog is having pain in their mouth, throat, or teeth. When a dog with this type of pain eats, they might drool, or food might drop out of their mouth.

Changes in Energy Level

Another sign of a dog in pain is a change in their energy level. Most dogs in pain will lie around and sleep more. You also might notice that they are not as playful as they once were.

Changes in Mobility

A dog in pain will often be less mobile too. Alternatively, the dog might move around the same amount, but will do so in a different way, such as with a limp.

Toilet Changes

Some types of pain will result in changes with the dog's toilet habits. Thus, they might struggle with this daily task. If you notice changes in your dog's toilet habits, along with other signs of pain, it could indicate a problem.

Body Shape Changes

Finally, you might notice swelling around the dog's body, on the legs, or face. This could indicate an infection, cancer, inflammation, or another condition.

9.7 Seeking Assistance for Pain and Suffering

If you believe that your dog is in pain or is suffering, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you believe that your dog is in extreme pain, find an emergency vet that is open 24 hours a day. Usually, if your normal vet is not an emergency vet themselves, they will have information on their telephone line or website about who to contact. Emergency situations include dogs that are breathing heavily, bleeding profusely, or have other visible injuries or abnormalities.

Pain, Suffering, and Quality of Life

The reality for the majority of dog owners is that your dog will likely not outlive you and, at some point, you will have to say goodbye to your beloved pet. Though it is true that some dogs peacefully pass away on their own. In the majority of cases, owners must make a decision concerning the quality of the dog's life and if euthanasia is the best thing to do for your dog. As a dog owner or carer, you know that pain and suffering is certainly not what you want your pet to experience, for a prolonged period of time.

However, in many cases, as we have mentioned above, the signs are not as obvious, so it might not seem as if a dog is as sick as it really is. The vet will help to give you information on what type of outcome you can expect from the dog's condition and what type of quality of life the dog might have. Though there have been a number of excellent advances in veterinary medicine, just because it might be possible to prolong a dog's life for a few days, weeks, or even months, this does not always mean that it is in the best interest of the dog to do so.

In most cases, the factors of aging, illness and injury are out of our control, but you can control when - and if - your dog passes peacefully. In many cases, this is a final gift that you can give to your dog, to alleviate the pain and suffering. Euthanisation is a humane, peaceful way to say goodbye to your dog - and depending on the vet, you might even be able to have the vet come to you. This would allow your pet to pass peacefully at home. Though this is a painful and sad experience, if your dog is in pain and suffering, it is a decision that, for most, is the right one.

Module Summary

If you are a dog owner and lover, there is likely no doubt in your mind that dogs have emotions. As this module has shown, a dog can experience and express most of the same emotions that humans do - and their emotional capacity is almost identical to that of a two year old child. Though dogs are unable to express or feel complex emotions, such as guilt, they can express and understand the emotions that count the most to their owners, such as love.

In addition to explaining what emotions a dog can show and experience, this module also showed what type of research backs up the concept of canine emotions. Though people had a different idea of the emotions of dogs several hundreds of years ago, these days science shows that they were incorrect. This module also explained how to know if a dog is in pain or is suffering and pointed out several signs of pain that one might not normally notice. Finally, the module explained that in some cases, a dog owner will have to consider the quality of life that a suffering dog has - and at that point, make a decision about if euthanasia is the best option.