You may recall your parents advising you to stand your ground if you encounter an unleashed dog. They would have also mentioned that dogs can smell fear and if you run, they will chase you like a wolf hunting its prey. This is actually good advice, as dogs have the ability to sense and smell fear, so running away might not be the best move. In fact, a dog might even attack if it senses that you are scared. This ability to smell fear comes from their wolf ancestors, who needed this skill to survive. So, how should you react when a dog smells your stress? Read on to find out more.
Signs a Dog Can Smell Fear
Dogs can indeed smell fear, and if an aggressive dog comes across your family pet, it will likely sense your fear by observing its body posture and bared teeth. Your family Labrador, for example, would understand the situation and try to scare the aggressive dog away. However, if your fear turns into panic, your body will send signals to the unsocialized dog, who might be in the mood for a fight.
If you were not aware that dogs can read your emotions, you might be surprised when a dog senses your fear and starts growling. Before you know it, the dog might start snapping at the air, trying to intimidate you and your pet.
Both dogs in this scenario know that you are afraid of the aggressive dog, but one becomes your protector while the other wants to attack. Labradors are loyal and will not back down, barking a warning to the aggressive dog. Your Labrador is in guard mode and will fight if necessary.
Dogs have a superior sense of smell compared to humans. Their noses are complex and can detect fragments of scents, making them excellent detector dogs. It is interesting to note that sniffer dogs can even sense when a person is stressed and might be hiding drugs on their body. Even if the handler cannot see it, the dog has already picked up on the fearful scent and is detecting the human hormones. So, while a person might appear calm and collected, the dog is smelling their fear.
Dogs seem to take pleasure in their ability to smell fear and use it to understand how a human is feeling. That dog in the park not only smelled your fear but also noticed the horror on your face. Dogs can easily read our expressions and have become accustomed to the way humans smile, frown, and grimace. They can tell if you are happy or sad, and an aggressive dog will take all these cues into account when deciding its next move.
Body Language
Here are some signs that a dog can tell when someone is afraid: growling, being alert, barking, guarding, scratching, and exposed teeth. There are also other signs that a dog can recognize when someone is stressed, such as reading a person’s facial expressions, responding to their emotions, and sniffing more than usual.
History of Dogs Smelling Stress
The exact timeline of the domestication of wolves into dogs is still debated, but it is likely that early humans felt fear when confronted by these large creatures. Many years ago, a grey wolf began the lineage that we now call dogs. Humans had high hopes for dogs and embarked on a breeding program to create various types of dogs for work and companionship. During this program, the aggressive traits of wolves were exchanged for pets that enjoyed being with humans.
Fortunately, some of the wolf’s sense attributes, such as their legendary sense of smell, were retained. Dogs can now detect cash, explosives, seizures, and stress. For people with anxiety disorders, this inherent ability is a blessing.
Service dogs are trained to help humans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by sensing when they are about to have a panic attack.
These dogs detect changes in their companion’s mood and help them navigate through stressful situations. Dogs seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to supporting veterans and individuals traumatized by life-changing events.
The New York Times tells the story of a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Cali, whose job is to check cortisol levels in school children. Cali waits patiently every day for students to enter the Calais School in Whippany, NJ. When Cali senses a high-stress level in a child, they spend quality time with Cali and its handler to help alleviate their anxiety. Dogs can smell adrenaline and cortisol, the hormones that indicate stress.
The Science of Dogs Sensing Stress
Scientists have been studying the emotional side of dogs and have found that dogs can see, hear, and smell our emotions. Researchers at the University of Naples conducted a study to determine if dogs can sniff out human emotions. Volunteers watched videos designed to induce fear and happiness, and their sweat samples were given to dogs to sniff. The dogs showed signs of stress and increased heart rates when exposed to fear sweat. They also displayed a vulnerability, seeking closeness with their owners. It appears that dogs are highly attuned to humans, taking on our fears as their own.
Dogs have a range of senses to detect fear and stress. They can observe our body language and detect hormonal changes. There is no hiding our emotions from our furry companions.
Training PTSD Service Dogs
There are dedicated dogs trained to assist people with anxiety disorders like PTSD. These dogs are silent heroes who devote their time to improving the lives of war-weary soldiers and individuals who have experienced physical and emotional trauma. These individuals often suffer from panic attacks, nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional distress. Having a canine caregiver can make a significant difference in their recovery journey.
Time Magazine highlights the story of an ex-Army captain who served in Iraq and returned home with PTSD. He wrote a book titled “Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him.” Service dogs can be a lifeline for returning soldiers and others who have experienced trauma. These dogs are trained to assist their handlers with specific tasks while providing unique companionship and support during the challenges of this disorder.
A PTSD service dog can be trained to bring medication, interrupt nightmares, guide their handler during episodes of hyper-vigilance, and apply pressure to help calm them during a panic attack. In cases of chaos, a PTSD dog can even call 911 using a specially designed phone. Dogs’ ability to smell stress makes them ideal helpers for people with stress-related disorders. Their natural talent allows them to pre-alert their handler and prevent chronic anxiety episodes.
Training a PTSD service dog can take 1-2 years, as there is much to learn. However, with a dog’s natural ability to sniff out stress, they are perfectly suited to helping our veterans move forward in their lives.
“Dogs have a secret superpower – they can smell your fear.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs have the ability to smell fear and can sense when someone is scared. It is important to remain calm and not run away from an aggressive dog, as this can trigger an attack.
2️⃣ Dogs can read human emotions through body language and facial expressions. They can tell if someone is afraid or stressed, and this can affect their behavior towards that person.
3️⃣ Dogs can be trained to assist people with anxiety disorders, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They can detect changes in their handler’s mood and provide support and comfort during stressful situations.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs really smell fear?
Answer: Yes, dogs have a heightened sense of smell and can detect fear in humans.
2. How do dogs react when they sense fear?
Answer: Dogs may become aggressive or protective when they sense fear, depending on their nature and training.
3. What are some signs that a dog can tell when someone is afraid?
Answer: Some signs include growling, alertness, barking, guarding, scratching, and exposed teeth.
4. How do dogs help people with anxiety disorders?
Answer: Dogs can be trained as service dogs to detect changes in mood and provide support and comfort to individuals with anxiety disorders.
5. Can dogs be trained to detect stress-related disorders?
Answer: Yes, dogs can be trained to detect stress-related disorders and provide assistance to individuals experiencing chronic anxiety episodes.
