When we look at our dogs, most of us feel a deep connection. I love my dogs, but do they love me? The answer to this question may actually be rooted more in how you see dogs, than in how they see us, and their world.
I just learned of a fascinating study from 2006 titled *Dehumanizing the Lowest of the Low: Neuro Imaging Responses to Extreme Out-Groups* by Harris and Fiske. The study primarily focused on how we view people who are far outside our social groups—referred to as “out-groups.” Researchers found that when we look at individuals in these out-groups, we do recognize that they have basic emotions. But we deny them the complex emotions, like empathy or love. Essentially, we tend to see them as less human.
What does this have to do with our dogs?
This study made me think about how we often perceive the emotions of animals, particularly dogs. It’s common to hear people say that dogs don’t experience emotions the way we do, or that they have a more limited emotional range. But if we start from the premise that animals have fewer or less complex emotions, are we doing the same thing we do with out-groups? Are we, in a way, “dehumanizing” our pets by underestimating their emotional lives?
If we start from the premise that dogs feel fewer or less complex emotions, then we need to go about proving that they do. We set things at zero and try to build up, instead of starting with the full range and trying to find places where dogs differ.
Anthromophism (attributing human emotions to animals) was long seen as a cardinal sin in science.
But think about it, just like in the study where we didn’t give full emotional credit to out-group humans, we struggle to even anthropomorphize outcasts of our own species! Imagine trying to have to prove that criminals and drug-addicts have the same emotions as the rest of us! Where would you even start?! (They do, of course - duh! That’s the whole point!)
So, why does this matter for you as a dog owner?
Understanding that our dogs have complex emotions is crucial for building a strong bond with them. It’s not just about recognizing when they’re happy or sad; it’s about acknowledging that they might experience a range of emotions, much like we do. When we see our dogs this way, it changes how we train them, how we care for them, and how we share our lives with them.
Next time your dog shows signs of frustration, excitement, or even anxiety, consider what emotions might be driving those behaviors. Give them the same emotional depth you would give to a close friend or family member. You might find that by doing so, your relationship with your dog becomes even richer and more rewarding.
And remember, when we open our minds to the emotional lives of our pets, we’re not just learning about them—we’re learning something profound about ourselves too.
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