Do Your Dogs Have Real Feelings?: How To Read Their Body Language
Have you ever wondered if your pets "get the feels"? For example, do they really love you?
I don't know about cats, since I'm a dog person. I'm pretty sure that my Husky is truly, madly, deeply in love with me. And when he gets angry at me, he gives me a certain look or he mopes.
Here's what the experts say:
Dogs are capable of a wide range of emotions and affection. According to Dr. Stanley Coren in his Psychology Today article:
"Dogs have all of the same brain structures that produce emotions in humans. Dogs also have the same hormones and undergo the same chemical changes that humans do during emotional states. Dogs even have the hormone oxytocin, which is involved with feeling love and affection for others."
Dr. Coren goes on to say that dogs are capable of feeling excitement, distress, disgust, fear, anger, joy, suspicion, shyness and love.
So, the next time your dog gazes at you lovingly, leans against you or brings you a favorite toy, he or she is showing genuine love and affection.