Interspecies transmission of emotional information via chemosignals: from humans to dogs (Canis lupus familiaris).
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Animal research (canine behavioral and physiological study)
PubMed 28988316 · doi:10.1007/s10071-017-1139-x
What was done
Pet dogs (Labrador and Golden retrievers) were randomly assigned to one of three odor conditions: human axillary sweat collected during fear, sweat collected during happiness, or an unscented control. In a testing room containing the owner, a stranger, and an odor dispenser, researchers measured free-movement behaviors (approaching, interacting, gazing), stress behaviors, and heart rate.
What was found
The abstract reports no numeric values, test statistics, or effect sizes. Directionally, dogs in the happy odor condition showed fewer and shorter owner-directed behaviors and more stranger-directed behaviors than in the fear and control conditions. In the fear condition, dogs showed more stress behaviors, and heart rates were significantly higher than in the control and happy conditions.
Why it matters
This study provides evidence that human emotional chemosignals can cross species boundaries to alter behavioral and autonomic physiological responses in domestic dogs.
Limits
The abstract does not disclose the sample size of dogs or sweat donors, nor any numerical data or effect sizes. Testing was limited to two retriever breeds, and the specific chemical constituents responsible for the effect were not identified.
Cited by
- supports Dogs are capable of detecting the autonomic nervous system tone and physiological states of humans.