Can You Identify What Your Dog Is Feeling?

Thursday 5th September 2013 @ 8:55 AM. (NZST)

DoggleHQ

A recently published study shows humans are able to correctly identify a range of emotions in dogs by looking at their facial expressions.

Researchers evoked specific emotions in Mal, a Belgian Shepherd, which included happiness, anger, fear, sadness, surprise and disgust. They took photos of the dog as his facial expressions changed with each emotion.

The pictures were shown to a group of 50 volunteers separated into two groups based on their experience of dogs. Happiness was recognized most frequently -- by 88 percent of participants. Interestingly, the people with little or no experience of dogs were better judges of Mal’s expressions of disgust and anger than dog owners.

Researchers theorize that the ability of people with little or no experience of dogs to identify canine facial expressions is because it is a natural skill rather than one that must be learned.

Future research may determine if humans are as capable of empathizing with other mammals as they are with dogs

Abstract: How Did The Researches Evoke The Facial Expressions In The Dog?

The study used pictures of a five year-old Belgian Shepherd named Mal. The photos showed Mal experiencing various emotions. When Mal was praised, he showed a happy expression with ears up, tongue out and looking directly at the camera.

When the researchers reprimanded him, Mal’s expression became sad, with eyes cast downward.

To capture a surprised expression, the researchers used a jack-in-the-box, and Mal wrinkled the top of his head.

Medicine with a bad taste brought out the dog’s disgusted expression – flattened ears. Next came the dreaded nail clippers, which made Mal prick up his ears and show the whites of his eyes.

To produce an expression of anger, one of the researchers acted the part of a criminal. Mal, a police dog in real life, bared his teeth into the beginnings of a snarl.

Read Full Article

So Just How Sensitive Is Your Dog To You? DO THE TEST ITS SIMPLE