Think you know when your dog is happy, sad, or upset? Think again. A new study out of Arizona State University (ASU) suggests humans may be far worse at interpreting their dogs’ emotions than previously believed—and the gap might be wider than anyone expected.
The research, led by ASU’s Canine Science Collaboratory, examined how accurately dog owners—and even experienced handlers—could identify emotional cues in dogs. The results? Most participants were significantly off-base, often misreading signs of stress, excitement, or fear as something entirely different.
A Surprising Disconnect
According to the study, which observed both video recordings and real-time interactions between people and dogs, participants frequently confused behaviors like panting, yawning, and lip licking—often associated with stress or discomfort—with more benign or even happy emotional states.
Published in the journal Anthrozoös, the study found that errors in interpreting a dog’s emotional state could negatively affect decisions related to the animal’s welfare. Researchers noted that pet owners often project their own emotional biases onto their dogs. The authors wrote: “By acknowledging these biases and striving to understand dog emotions through their specific behavioral and physiological needs, rather than through a human emotional lens, we can improve welfare standards.”
Misreading the Signs
The study revealed that people were particularly poor at recognizing signs of anxiety or fear. Tail wags, for example, were widely misinterpreted as always signaling happiness—when in fact, tail position, movement speed, and context all play a role.
According to an article in BBC Science Focus, participants were often more focused on external cues than on the dog itself. “In our study, when people saw a video of a dog apparently reacting to a vacuum cleaner, everyone said the dog was feeling bad and agitated,” said Holly Molinaro, the study’s lead author and animal welfare scientist. “But when they saw a video of the dog doing the exact same thing—this time appearing to react to seeing his leash—everyone reported that the dog was feeling happy and calm.”
Implications for Pet Welfare
While these misunderstandings might seem minor, researchers warn that misreading a dog’s signals can lead to real consequences—from behavioral issues to increased risk of bites or stress-related illnesses.
The ASU team hopes their findings will inspire more education around dog behavior, particularly for new pet owners, trainers, and shelter workers. Molinaro told BBC Science Focus that the best approach to assessing a dog’s emotional state is to tread lightly, paying close attention to the cues the dog is actually offering, rather than projecting human emotions onto them.
A Call for Awareness
The study is part of a broader effort to bridge the communication gap between humans and their companion animals. Researchers emphasize that the goal isn’t to shame dog owners—but to promote curiosity and continuous learning.
So the next time your dog yawns during a walk or licks its lips when someone approaches, don’t just assume they’re relaxed. It might be their way of asking for space.
