10/28/2021
EMOTIONS MATTER!
Dog’s emotions really do matter, far more than we may think. Emotions matter because an emotional state drives behaviour. When a dog’s emotional needs are not being met, behaviour problems often result.
Dogs experience emotions like anxiety, fear, stress, depression, frustration, anger, helplessness, pleasure, happiness, relief. Although there will always be debate on whether a dog’s experience of emotion is similar to ours, science is continually providing a better understanding of how a dog’s brain works.
The way that emotions are processed in the brain is probably where the emotional experience of our species differ. Because the cortex of the human brain is five times bigger than a dogs, we experience emotions on a far more advanced level. To put it simply, when a dog feels an emotion, it’s a simpler, purer emotion, not complicated by a complex mixture of human thought process.
So many dogs live a life where their needs are not met, but have owners that insist on a quick fix to change an unwanted behaviour. Behaviour shouldn’t be looked at independently or singled out as a particular problem that needs to be fixed without first looking at whether the needs of a dog are being met. When needs are met, a dog’s emotional state will change, which will in turn bring about positive changes in behaviour.