Do dogs understand human crying

Canine Comfort: Do Dogs Know When You're Sad?

Plenty of pet owners are comforted by a pair of puppy-dog eyes or a swipe of the tongue when their dog catches them crying. Now, new research suggests that dogs really do respond uniquely to tears. But whether pets have empathy for human pain is less clear.

In a study published online May 30 in the journal Animal Cognition, University of London researchers found that dogs were more likely to approach a crying person than someone who was humming or talking, and that they normally responded to weeping with submissive behaviors. The results are what you might expect if dogs understand our pain, the researchers wrote, but it's not proof that they do.

"The humming was designed to be a relatively novel behavior, which might be likely to pique the dogs' curiosity," study researcher and psychologist Deborah Custance said in a statement. "The fact that the dogs differentiated between crying and humming indicates that their response to crying was not purely driven by curiosity. Rather, the crying carried greater emotional meaning for the dogs and provoked a stronger overall response than either humming or talking."

Humans domesticated dogs at least 15,000 years ago, and many a pet owner has a tale of their canine offering comfort in tough times. Studies have shown that dogs are experts at human communication, but scientists haven't been able to show conclusively that dogs feel empathy or truly understand the pain of others. In one 2006 study, researchers had owners fake heart attacks or pretend to be pinned beneath furniture, and learned that pet dogs failed to go for help (so much for Lassie saving Timmy from the well).

But seeking out assistance is a complex task, and Custance and her colleague Jennifer Mayer wanted to keep it simple. They recruited 18 pet dogs and their owners to test whether dogs would respond to crying with empathetic behaviors. The dogs included a mix of mutts, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and a few other common breeds. [What Your Dog's Breed Says About You]

The experiment took place in the owners' living rooms. Mayer would arrive and ignore the dog so that it would have little interest in her. Then she and the owner would take turns talking, fake-crying and humming.

Of the 18 dogs in the study, 15 approached their owner or Mayer during crying fits, while only six approached during humming. That suggests that it's emotional content, not curiosity, that brings the dogs running. Likewise, the dogs always approached the crying person, never the quiet person, as one might expect if the dog was seeking (rather than trying to provide) comfort.

"The dogs approached whoever was crying regardless of their identity. Thus they were responding to the person's emotion, not their own needs, which is suggestive of empathic-like comfort-offering behavior," Mayer said in a statement.

Of the 15 dogs that approached a crying owner or stranger, 13 did so with submissive body language, such as tucked tails and bowed heads, another behavior consistent with empathy (the other two were alert or playful). Still, the researchers aren't dog whisperers, and they can't prove conclusively what the dogs were thinking. It's possible that dogs learn to approach crying people because their owners give them affection when they do, the researchers wrote.

"We in no way claim that the present study provides definitive answers to the question of empathy in dogs," Mayer and Custance wrote. Nevertheless, they said, their experiment opens the door for more study of dogs' emotional lives, from whether different breeds respond to emotional owners differently to whether dogs understand the difference between laughter and tears.

Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappasor LiveScience @livescience. We're also on Facebook & Google+.

Do dogs know when you cry or sad? Complete Guide

Do dogs know when you cry?The answer is yes. Dogs are social animals; they like to be with and interact with others. Theyre well known for his loyalty. Although they do not understand human emotion very well, they recognize the signs that you are sad, happy or cry.

Do dogs know when you cry?

Do dogs know when you cry, and can they read your emotions? The answer is yes, dogs are brilliant and can quickly pick up on the emotional changes in their owners. Your furry friend love for you is more durable than any feeling that you might have for them.

Which means that they have been trained to recognize the fact that you are crying, and if they can sense this sadness in you, they will understand, and they will try to comfort you.Dogs also realize when a person is upset.

When a person cries and breaks down emotionally, the dog also recognizes the sadness that is behind the crying. It is commonly believed that if your dog knows when you are sad, then he will be happy to see you smile.

However, dogs do not understand the language of human emotions. If you try to show your dog that you are sad when he shows the same reaction, then you will only be upsetting him. Dogs only understand the human language when they train them.

Do dogs know when you love them?

One of the most exciting things about dogs and humans is the fact that we dont think much about their emotions or their feelings. While dogs do have feelings, it is not all that common for them to let out these feelings, so much so that some people can get upset with them.

Dogs notice their owner love and attention and show these emotions when they are happy, sad, scared, stressed, tired, or hungry. However, they dont usually share these feelings with you, but instead, they keep them to themselves and never let you know they are feeling these emotions.

However, I will say that most dogs will express the happiness they feel clearly, and you should always pay attention to the way they act.

What do dogs do when you are crying?

When you cry, your dog will want to help you and will want to be there, and will look for a way to get you to play with him. Dogs do have the ability to be very strong, and they have the ability to be very protective, which is good for you.

When you are sad, your dog is going to have the ability to protect you, and he is going to want to do this in a very assertive way.

Do Dogs Cry? | Why Does Your Dog Cry Tears and Whine

Key Takeaways

• Dogs do cry, but its not the same as human crying
• When they are sad, dogs usually whimper and whine, not cry
• Excessive crying might be a sign of some underlying medical condition

Do Dogs Cry?

Theres a lot of debate over whether or not dogs cry, and the answer isnt completely clear. Some people believe that dogs produce tears as a way to express their emotions, just like humans do. Others believe that the tears are simply a result of dog allergies or other medical issues. However, there hasnt been any scientific evidence to support either side of this argument. So, do dogs cry? The answer to this question is still up for debate.

Can Dogs Express Emotions?

What we do know is that dogs are capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, just like humans. They can feel happiness, sadness, love, and anger, among other things. And just like with humans, these emotions can sometimes be expressed through tears.

So its definitely possible that dogs do cry as a way to express their feelings. However, there hasnt been any concrete evidence to support this claim. And until there is, we wont know for sure whether or not dogs cry like we do.

But even if dogs dont cry in the traditional sense, they still have the ability to communicate their feelings to us in a powerful way. For example, studies have shown that when dogs are happy they wag their tails more vigorously, when they are sad they tilt their heads downward, and when they are afraid they tuck their tails between their legs.

It is important to note that just because dogs can express emotions does not mean that they always do so. In fact, many dogs may not show any outward signs of how they are feeling, and may only reveal their emotions through their behavior. This means that it is often up to us humans to interpret the emotions that our dogs are feeling. With time and patience, however, we can usually learn to read our dogs emotional cues fairly accurately.

Can Dogs Produce Tears?

Dogs have tear ducts and lacrimal glands, which allow them to produce real tears. However, it is unknown if dogs actually cry out of sadness or happiness. Some people believe that dogs can cry because they can make tears, while others believe that dogs cannot make tears and only produce mucus. Studies have not been able to prove either side correct, so the answer to this question is still unknown.

What we do know is that dogs use their tears in a number of ways. Dogs will use their tears to clean their eyes, to signal dominance or submission, and to show affection. In fact, when a dog licks another dogs face, they are often licking away the other dogs tears. This may imply that dogs clearly understand the importance of tears and what they can signify.

My Dog Is Crying Possible Health Problems

So, why do dogs cry? Lets take a look at some possible health issues, dogs might be expressing by crying.

If your dog has watery eyes, it could be a sign that they are in pain or experiencing another health problem. Here are some of the most common causes of dog tears:

1. Pain: Dogs can cry out in pain for a variety of reasons, such as injuries, arthritis, and dental problems.
2. Infection: A bacterial or viral infection can cause a dog to cry from the pain and discomfort it causes.
3. Allergies: Dogs can experience allergies just like people do, and these allergies can cause them to cry excessively.
4. Stress: Dogs can become stressed from changes in their environment or routine, which can lead to them crying excessively.
5. Ear infections: Ear infections are a common issue in dogs and can cause them to cry from the pain and discomfort it causes.
6. Bladder infections: Dogs can develop bladder problems, which can lead to them crying while they urinate.
7. Other health concerns: Dogs can experience a wide variety of other health problems that can cause them to cry.

If your dog is crying a lot, it is important to take him or her to the veterinary clinic to determine the cause of the trouble. The veterinarian will be able to perform tests and diagnose the issue so that it can be treated.

Editors Note

Its important to note that a few occasional tears are usually not serious. There could have been dust in your poochs eye, or he smelled something funny. So pay attention to the frequency and the environment of when your dog is crying.

Signs of Sadness in Dog Behavior (Not Only Crying Tears)

Dogs are known as mans best friend for a reason. They are always happy to see us and are always there for us when we need them. However, just like people, their canine friends can get sad too. But they dont have to shed tears to show us that there is something wrong. Here are some ways to tell if your dog is feeling down:

• they stop eating or drinking;
• they stop playing or interacting with you and other animals;
• they have a decreased appetite;
• they have a decrease in energy;
• their tail is between their legs, or they are cowering away from people or other animals;
• their eyes may be red or watery;
• their vocalization is changed: they whine, whimper or howl much more than they normally do.

How Can You Help When Your Dog Is Sad?

If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it is important to take them to the vet to get checked out. There may be an underlying medical condition causing your dogs sadness, and it is best to rule that out before starting any type of behavior modification or treatment.

If there is no underlying medical condition, then you can start working on helping your dog feel better. This may include things like increasing their exercise, providing more playtime, or working on obedience training to increase the bond between you and your canine friend. No matter what, it is important to be patient and understanding with your dog during this time. They are relying on you to help them through it.

All in all, do dogs cry? Yes, but not necessarily in a way we do. Dogs are capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions and are able to understand emotions of their owners. This makes them some of the most complex creatures on earth and is one of the many reasons why we love them so much.

Do Dogs Cry FAQs

How Do You Know When a Dog Is Crying?

One of the most common ways to tell when a dog is crying is through his body language. Dogs express themselves mainly through physical cues, so its important to pay attention to their behaviors. One clear signal may be that they are whimpering or whining, which indicates an emotional response. This could mean that they are feeling scared, stressed, frustrated or bored.

Do Dogs Cry Tears When Sad?

When a human is sad, its common to see tears flowing from their eyes. Weve all had that experience in our lives. But when it comes to canine companions, there isnt quite as much evidence of them crying tears when they are feeling distressed or unhappy.Dogs do express their emotions in other ways, though, such as through body language and behavior like cowering during thunderstorms or trembling when fearful. Tears may be an additional mechanism for showing sadness in animals, but unfortunately there hasnt been any empirical research on the subject yet, so no one knows with certainty whether they really cry emotional tears or not.

Do Dogs Understand Human Crying?

Yes, dogs absolutely understand human crying! It might not be in the same way we do, but our canine companions are quite intuitive when it comes to emotions and recognize how humans are feeling. Studies show that dogs can pick up on whats different when someone is upset or sad through subtle changes in body language and vocal cues.