Can dogs be extroverted

Can Dogs Be Introverts or Extroverts?

It is well-known that people can either be introverts or extroverts, according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Even though there are 16 personality types in human psychology in total, the basic division comes from these two types. But can dogs be introverts or extroverts and exhibit any similar behaviors to people?

In brief, extroverts are known as outgoing, social, talkative, and bubbly, while introverts enjoy only the company of a few, find small talk mentally draining, and are more private, quiet, and inward-focused. But what about dogs? Will an introverted dog be less playful and more closed up, while an extroverted dog will exhibit a ton of energy and social skills?

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Animals and Their Personalities

The science behind the personality types of different animals, including dogs, is rather scarce. This can be attributed to the long-held belief that animals dont have emotions and thoughts in the same way human psychology is defined. This means that they cant have personalities either.

The well-known Morgans Canon, Occams razor of psychology, stated that we should always look for the simplest explanations when it comes to psychological reasons for any action, ultimately providing an excuse for attributing animals actions only to their natural instincts, mainly those for survival and reproduction.

However, the idea that dogs have emotions can be traced all the way back to the father of evolution. Charles Darwin argued that all humans and animals show emotions in a similar way in his 1872 book The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. Unfortunately, this idea was forgotten for a long time until new research on the matter began in the last couple of decades.

One of the people who jump-started the studies on the psychology of dogs and other animals was Dr. Samuel D. Gosling, a psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin. His studies led him to believe that animals have unique personalities, which arise from the evolutionary continuity between humans and animals. Dr. Gosling even said:

Whereas an introverted human will stay at home on a Saturday night or stand alone at a party, an octopus will stay in its den during feeding and attempt to hide itself by changing color.

This could imply that all animals, not just dogs, can be introverts or extroverts (in a way).

Moreover, in recent years, the studies of animal personalities have been much more frequent.

The work of Marc Berkoff as discussed in his book The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy and Why They Matter is probably the most significant and broadest, based on many years of studying social communication in different species. This book helped us realize how rich the emotional lives of animals are and change how we treat them.

Is Your Dog Introvert or Extrovert?

After all the studies that showed that animals do indeed have personalities, it is safe to say that dogs, in a way, can be introverts or extroverts. Although dogs are descendants of wolves who are pack animals, and even though most dogs are extroverts, that doesnt mean that introverted dogs dont exist.

According to an article fromveterinary behaviorist Dr. Jacqui Ley, introverted dogs are often quiet in unfamiliar company, although they can be playful around familiar faces. They can tire faster than extrovert dogs in a busy environment and avoid noisy situations. They tend to stick to you in social situations, seek solitude and dont enjoy interacting with other dogs, especially extrovert dogs. Sound familiar?

On the other hand, extrovert dogs love interacting with other dogs and humans; they dont tire so easily and often express themselves vocally. Extrovert dogs might require a little bit of taming with training since they easily get overexcited with strangers and may even sometimes be labeled as hyperactive dogs.

Knowing the personality of your dog can help you understand how to approach him and even help you deal with some behavioral problems. Introvert dogs can often suffer from increased levels of anxiety, even when that is not obvious from their behavior. If you have an introverted dog, reduce physical interaction, give them space, and let them be alone if they want. Dont force them to interact with other dogs or people, and dont put them in overstimulating situations.

It is important to note that both introverted and extroverted dogs wont behave according to their personality type all the time. Even though studies like this one suggest substantial consistency in personality, it is not possible to always predict a dogs behavior. Also, some other studies show that the owners personality can affect and change the personality of the dog to some extent.

In the end, yes dogs can be introverts or extroverts and behave accordingly. Their personality type doesn't affect them in the exact same way as it does humans, but it's somewhat similar. Keep in mind that each dog has a unique personality and that they require a different approach to care and training, all according to their personality type.

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Many introverted humans love the company of dogs, often more than they do people. But can dogs be introverts? People are quick to say yes, but sometimes, humans like to project their own personalities onto their pets. However, according to experts, dogs can be introverts, but that might not always look like what people imagine.

Can Dogs Be Introverts?

Yes. According to dog behaviorists and trainers, dogs can be introverts much like humans can. In fact, most animals have enough personality variation to express an introvert and extrovert split. That includes other common domesticated animals like cats and horses, not just dogs. Just as with humans, introverted dogs are not necessarily anti-social. They also might not necessarily get along with introverted people, and they tend to be less likely to get along well with other dogs, even introverted ones. A dogs personality is a complicated mixture of genetics, living situation, and life experiences.

But what exactly does it mean for your dog to be introverted? And how can you tell if your dog is an introvert?

What Does It Mean to Be an Introvert?

Introverts are typically shy, introspective (hence the word) and reserved. Introverts are not necessarily anti-social, but they often need to balance social time with alone time to maintain their personality balance. Introverted dogs might like their owners and like playing with other dogs, but they may also like to spend quiet time by themselves, or just chilling quietly when they have the chance.

One of the simplest ways to define an introvert versus an extrovert is that introverts recharge by being alone or spending quiet time by themselves. Extroverts get energized by socialization. Extroverts start to feel angsty and down when they havent socialized in some time. Introverts start feeling angsty and down when they are socializing too much. If your dog seems energized by playing with other dogs or interacting with people, they might be an extrovert. If your dog seems to recharge by quietly snuggling or lying by themselves, they could be an introvert.

What Causes a Dog to Be an Introvert or an Extrovert?

There are two main things that influence whether your dog is an introvert or an extrovert: personality and experiences. A dogs base personality is often determined by genetics or inherent traits that are acquired at birth. Certain life events can cause a dog to go from extroverted to introverted. For example, if a dog has a bad experience with a stranger, suffers from abuse, or gets injured while playing, they could develop introverted tendencies in response to these specific experiences. An introverted base personality combined with experiences that reinforce introverted behavior will often result in a stubbornly introverted dog. Conversely, positive interactions with people and other dogs and strong reinforcement in social settings can cause a dog to be more extroverted than they normally would be.

The exact mixture of experience, genetics, and personality is going to be different for every single dog, which leads to a wide variety of behaviors and results. It is often not possible to change a dogs base nature from introverted to extroverted (or vice versa). If change does occur, it is usually very gradual over time in response to a variety of factors.

The 4 Ways to Tell If Your Dog Is an Introvert

1. They May Not Like Many Other Dogs

Have you ever met a dog and thought whoa, you are way too much for me,? Well, that can happen with our dogs as well.

Introverted dogs may not do well in situations where there are many other dogs present. For example, they might not enjoy going to the dog park when it is crowded. If there are numerous other dogs around, your dog might slink to the sidelines and stay out of the way of the main pack. This doesnt mean that your dog cant have doggy friends. Even introverted dogs can form bonds with one another. They just wont thrive on the chaos and energy of a large group of dogs.

2. They Tend to Be Wary Around Strangers

Introverted dogs are often wary around strangers. There are some dogs that have never met a stranger in their life and will go up to almost anyone. Introverted dogs are not like that. Introverted dogs may treat new people with suspicion and will always prefer their people or their owners to strangers or unfamiliar people.

3. They May Be Selective in Their Interactions With Others

Introverted dogs will be much more careful with their interactions with people and dogs than extroverted dogs. Some extroverted dogs will run up to almost any dog or person and try to initiate play. Introverted dogs are more cautious. They might still choose to interact with others, but they will take their time, think it through, and go slowly, especially at first. Introverted dogs are much more likely to decline an invitation from people or dogs to play than extroverted dogs. The same goes for accepting food such as treats or snacks.

4. They Tend to Have Good Focus

Due to their calm nature and cautious personalities, introverted dogs often have better focus than extroverted dogs. Extroverted dogs often get overly excited and distracted in new situations, which can make it hard for them to listen or focus on their owners. Introverted dogs are the opposite. They will often look to their owners for guidance in new situations and will focus on the task at hand.

How to Handle an Introverted Dog

One of the biggest differences between introverted dogs and extroverted dogs is how they respond to people. Introverted dogs tend to be much more sensitive. That means that yelling, using sharp language, making strong eye contact, or using pointed hand gestures are going to affect your introverted dog much more strongly than they would an extroverted dog. This can make it easier to correct your introverted pup, but it can also cause them to feel anxious and can make their introverted tendencies stronger. Using strong discipline with an introverted dog could cause them to become more withdrawn.

You might want to consider being more gentle and more considerate of your introverted dog, considering their strong response to discipline in most situations. Try to use rewards or ignore bad behavior for minor transgressions.

Another thing to avoid with your introverted dog is trying to force them, or even strongly encourage them, to play with other dogs. This is more likely to make them feel stressed or panic, which could result in defensive behaviors. Reward positive experiences with praise, but dont force it.

Final Thoughts

So now you know that dogs can indeed be introverted. Introverted dogs have some distinct personality traits that are often obvious when compared to extroverted dogs, but not always. Just like with people, there tends to be a spectrum of introvert and extrovert qualities, rather than an either/or situation. Introverted dogs will approach social situations, strangers, and discipline differently than extroverted dogs. Knowing whether your dog is an introvert or an extrovert can help you interact with them in a more positive way.

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