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Dog’s Empathy
Dogs also appear to monitor their owners’ social interactions. Another experiment involved strangers asking for help on the street. Afterward, those who assisted the dog’s owner attempted to feed the dog.
The results were intriguing—dogs willingly accepted food from those who had helped their owners. Surprisingly, they also accepted food from neutral bystanders who had not interfered. However, they outright rejected food from individuals who had been rude or aggressive toward their owners.
Moreover, dogs can interpret human gestures and facial expressions. A study published in Biology Letters by the British Royal Society found that dogs can discern emotions based on our tone of voice and facial cues.
They are the only non-human species capable of recognizing both joy and anger in humans. “Our research demonstrates that dogs integrate multiple sensory inputs to form a coherent understanding of human and canine emotions,” explains Kun Guo, a researcher at the University of Lincoln.
The Benefits of Animal Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy, commonly known as pet therapy, offers numerous advantages for human well-being. Guided by a pet therapist who facilitates interaction, these sessions create a natural and judgment-free connection between humans and animals. The result is a deeply relaxing and rewarding experience.
For both adults and children, spending time with animals can enhance overall quality of life and even help address psychological challenges. The benefits of this therapy include:
- Encouraging social interaction and communication
- Reducing stress, anxiety, and loneliness
- Boosting memory and cognitive function
- Enhancing motor skills, as well as spatial and temporal awareness
- Supporting language development and cognitive processing
- Promoting emotional expression
- Strengthening self-esteem and confidence
- Helping individuals adjust to new environments
From detecting dishonesty to offering emotional support, dogs are more than just pets—they are remarkably perceptive and compassionate companions.
Why do dogs ba.rk and bi.te some people but not others? There’s always a reason!
1. Dogs ba.rk because they are encoutering something new
One of the most common reason is that dogs ba.rk because they are experiencing new things. Some less friendly dogs will ba.rk as soon as they meet strangers because there are too many new things about that person for them: such as a new scent, new behavior… For dogs, new things make them cautious and are perceived as potential threats.
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