Does my dog have feelings?

What emotions do they experience and how do we know?

Obviously, our dogs make us feel great, giving us companionship, loyalty and so much happiness. And I am probably not alone in wanting to know that I am giving that back to Rufus in return. But how much does he really "feel"? Can dogs experience emotions like we do, or is it just instinctive behaviour? 

Recent research shows that dogs do, in fact, feel a range of emotions, although not quite as many as humans. Understanding what dogs feel, and how they express it, can help us build even stronger relationships with our mutts.

What emotions do dogs feel?

While our dogs don’t experience emotions with the same complexity as we do, they do feel many of the fundamental ones. Scientists compare the emotional capacity of dogs to that of a two to three-year-old child. 

This means they experience primary emotions, such as:

• Joy – Dogs express joy through tail wagging, play bows, zoomies and enthusiastic greetings. It’s clear to see when a dog is excited to see us or happy during playtime.
• Fear – Dogs experience fear when faced with a perceived threat. This can be seen through cowering, shaking, hiding, or attempts to escape a situation. Sudden loud noises like fireworks are a classic trigger.
• Love and Affection – Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection, often expressed through cuddling, licking and following their owners around. Research has shown that when dogs gaze into their owners’ eyes, both the dog and the human experience an increase in oxytocin, the same “love hormone” released during parent-child bonding.
• Anger (or Irritation) – While dogs may not feel "anger" in the same way humans do, they can experience frustration. This can be seen in behaviours like growling, baring teeth, or stiffening their posture when they feel threatened, cornered or uncomfortable.
• Disgust – Dogs may react to bad-tasting food or unpleasant smells with a "disgusted" response, like sneezing, snorting, or avoiding the source. While dogs are known for sniffing just about everything, certain scents may trigger a rejection response.

These are the core, "primary" emotions that researchers agree dogs experience. However, emotions like guilt, shame, and pride are more complex and require higher-order thinking. While many dog owners believe their pets feel guilty after being caught doing something wrong, studies suggest that what we perceive as guilt is actually submission or appeasement behaviour. Dogs react to their owner’s tone of voice and body language rather than reflecting on their own actions.

How do we know dogs feel emotions?

It’s one thing to say that dogs feel emotions, but how do we actually know? Over the years, researchers have used several methods to investigate this.

1. Brain scans (fMRI studies) – One of the most compelling pieces of evidence comes from functional MRI (fMRI) studies, which allow scientists to see how a dog’s brain reacts to certain stimuli. These scans have revealed that dogs' brains react in ways similar to human brains when exposed to positive experiences, such as hearing familiar voices or smelling their owners' scents.
   
   For example, a study from Emory University found that a region of the dog’s brain called the caudate nucleus lights up when they experience positive emotions, just like it does in humans. This is the same part of the brain linked to feelings of reward, love, and motivation. This study provided strong evidence that dogs do, in fact, experience emotions like happiness and love.
   
2. Behavioural studies – Another way scientists measure dog emotions is by observing behaviour. For example, studies have shown that dogs exhibit “emotional contagion,” which is the ability to pick up on and mirror the emotions of others. If you’ve ever been sad and noticed your dog offering comfort by snuggling close or resting their head on you, that’s emotional contagion in action.
   
   Dogs have also been shown to respond to human facial expressions. In one study, dogs were able to distinguish between images of happy and angry human faces. This means that dogs aren’t just guessing how you feel—they’re actively interpreting your emotional state.
   
3. Hormone studies – When humans bond with each other—such as between a mother and child—there’s an increase in a hormone called oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the "love hormone." Research has shown that the same thing happens when dogs gaze into their owners’ eyes. Both the dog's and the human's oxytocin levels increase, creating a feedback loop of affection. This discovery supports the idea that dogs experience love and emotional attachment in a way that’s not so different from us.
   

How do dogs express emotions?

Unlike us, dogs don’t have language to express how they feel, so they rely on body language, vocalisation, and behaviour to communicate their emotions. 

• Tail Wagging – A loose, sweeping wag typically signals happiness, while a high, stiff wag can indicate arousal, excitement or dominance. A low, slow wag can mean uncertainty or anxiety.
• Ears – Ears held upright and forward show attentiveness or curiosity, while ears pinned back against the head indicate fear, anxiety or submission.
• Body Posture – Dogs that feel confident stand tall, while dogs feeling afraid or submissive will crouch low, tuck their tails and try to make themselves look smaller.
• Facial Expressions – Dogs have subtle but expressive faces. A dog with relaxed eyes and a loose mouth is typically feeling calm, while wide eyes or a tense muzzle may signal stress or fear.
• Vocalisations – Barking, whining, growling, and howling all signal different emotional states. A playful bark is different from an alarm bark and whines may indicate either excitement, discomfort, or anxiety.

 

Can dogs feel love?

While dogs may not experience "love" in the same way we do, the science suggests that their bond with humans is emotionally driven. As mentioned earlier, the release of oxytocin in both humans and dogs during positive interactions provides compelling evidence that dogs feel something like love or affection.

This love-like emotion is reinforced by their evolutionary history. Over thousands of years of domestication, dogs formed closer bonds with humans, relying on us for food, shelter, and companionship. Today, dogs often see their owners as pack members and their behaviour reflects this attachment. It’s why your dog follows you from room to room, greets you with wild enthusiasm and stays close when you’re feeling unwell or sad.

How can you make your dog feel good?

Just like humans, dogs need emotional support to feel happy, safe, and secure. Here are some simple ways we can nurture our dogs’ emotional health:

1. Provide companionship – Dogs are social animals and thrive on social interaction. Spend quality time with them every day.
2. Offer mental stimulation – Boredom can lead to frustration and destructive behaviour. Puzzle toys, sniffing games and training exercises are great ways to keep your dog’s mind active.
3. Stick to a routine – Dogs feel more secure when they have predictable daily routines for feeding, walks, and playtime.
4. Positive reinforcement – Reward your dog with treats, toys and praise when they behave well. Avoid punishment-based training methods, as these can increase fear and anxiety.
5. Give them space – Dogs, like people, sometimes need space to process their emotions. Respect their need for a quiet retreat, especially during times of stress, like fireworks or thunderstorms.

By recognising and supporting our dogs’ emotional well-being, we can build a stronger, more trusting bond. The next time your dog snuggles up next to you or wags their tail in delight, you’ll know it’s not just instinct, it’s love.