Is your pooch ecstatic every time you come home, and act like your shadow whenever you’re in the house? That’s because you’re the center of his world, and he always wants to know where you are and what you’re doing.
As it turns out, our dogs are such good observers that they can pick up on our emotions or even detect things about us that we don’t even know ourselves. Ever hear stories of pups who have alerted their people to cancer, pregnancy, or a dangerous stranger nearby? That’s because they’re so intuitive and protective of humans; especially the ones they love most.
Canines are incredible creatures who are sensitive, perceptive, and unconditionally loving. Below, check out 8 amazing things that dogs can sense about humans.
1. Mood
Whether it’s sadness, happiness, calmness, or stress, our dogs always seem to know how we’re feeling. They can actually sniff out the chemical and pheromonal changes that correspond to our emotions. What’s more, our canines keenly observe our every move, and they can read our expressions, body language, voice volume, and tones in order to determine our moods.
2. Attention
Your dog knows when you’re not paying attention to them, so when it’s time for a walk or a game of fetch, make sure to put down your phone! Of course, we can’t focus on them all the time, and sometimes they take advantage of our lack of attention. That’s why some sneaky pooches will counter-surf for extra snacks when no one is looking!
3. Inequality
We know a dog lover like you would never favor one of your pooches over the other, and that’s good: pups can sense when there’s unfair treatment. So when there are multiple mutts clamoring for a treat or chasing after the ball, make sure that everyone gets their fair share!
4. Sickness, Disease, Stress, or Anxiety
With a sense of smell that’s 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than a human’s, our companions can often smell cancer, changes in blood sugar levels, stress hormones, and more. Aside from diagnosable diseases, our dogs always seem to know when we’re simply not feeling well, emotionally or physically. Whether it’s because of a scent we’re giving off or the body language we’re displaying, one thing is for sure: they always know how to make us feel better!
5. Trustworthiness
Fool them once, shame on you… fool them twice, and dogs will stop trusting you! It only takes being mislead a few times — say, you promise your dog a treat to get them to come inside and don’t follow through — before they realize they’re being swindled. In fact, depriving your dog of positive reinforcement is a great way to teach your dog not to obey you. And if your dog sees someone treating you unfairly, they’re capable of holding a grudge against that person (more on that below). Needless to say, our canines are completely honest and dependable to us, and they deserve the same in return!
6. Pregnancy
You’ve probably heard of women who swear that their dogs knew they were pregnant before they did, and maybe you’re one of them! As it turns out, there are a few ways that dogs can sense a bun in the oven. They may pick up hormonal changes through scent, and they may also notice mood swings, changes in routine, and of course, that growing belly!
7. Animosity
Ever get into an argument with someone, only to have your dog jump to your rescue? That’s because they can sense animosity between humans. According to Top 10 Home Remedies:
“Several chemicals are released in the body in response to thoughts of dislike, irritation, hatred, etc. and dogs can sense these chemicals.”
Plus, as mentioned before, our pups know when our body language, expressions, and tone of voice reflect negative emotions. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that your dog can hold a grudge against those who have done you wrong, and it’s in their nature to protect you. Would you expect anything less from your most loyal pal?
8. Intentions
Are you convinced your canine can sense “bad” people? Well, it turns out you’re probably right. iHeartDogs writer Jennifer Nelson explains:
“The leading theory is that dogs use their keen sense of smell to sniff out chemical changes in the pheromones that people emit that would indicate that they have bad intentions… When a person is acting aggressively, their brain chemistry changes in a way that dogs can smell, causing them to react to a potential threat before their human has perceived the threat.”
And as mentioned above, our pups also observe how others treat their favorite humans, so anyone who tries to do you wrong in front of your dog better beware!
