Dogs are, in many ways, natural empaths – but how do we know this? Their remarkable sensitivity to human emotions likely stems from thousands of years of close interaction and domestication alongside people.
According to Philip Tedeschi, a human-animal connection expert with Rover and founder of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver, the deep evolutionary bond between dogs and humans has made dogs exceptionally in tune with their human companions. “The co-evolution of people and animals, a hallmark of domestication, has led dogs to develop a consistent ability to detect, differentiate, and respond to their human counterparts,” Tedeschi explains.
He further notes that this long-standing relationship has made dogs highly attuned to subtle cues in human behavior and emotion. In fact, dogs are considered among the most socially intelligent animals when it comes to understanding people.
“Many people report that their dogs quickly and keenly sense their emotional states,” Tedeschi says. “It appears that dogs pick up on facial expressions and other interpersonal signals to detect emotional shifts in those around them.”
Additionally, dogs are incredibly observant. Even while resting, small sounds or slight movements are enough to capture their attention. Tedeschi emphasizes that dogs focus closely on facial cues, body language, and even scent-based information, all of which contribute to their remarkable social and emotional awareness.
