Do Dogs Have Emotions?

What kind of a question is that. Any long-time pet-owner will tell you, yes of course. There are the obvious emotions that all animals display: joy, sadness, fear, anger and the like, which even non-animal lovers can see and relate to. However there is an entire range of complex emotions that an animal, particularly one that interacts closely with you, feels and displays and brings to bear in the relationship with you. Many people dismiss this as a figment of the animal-lovers imagination. “Animals only act out instincts,” is a common statement by many who believe that humans have cornered the market on multi-layered emotions! But it is simply not so. Tune in to your pet’s play of emotions, and you will not only enjoy a better relationship with it, but also be hugely amused, fascinated and rewarded with better insights into the wondrous world of animal behaviour. Let’s take up just a few emotions which are considered solely ‘human’ – and see how they’re manifest in your pet too.

Mischief: Many animals often tease each other. Simply take a look at the mock-fights that a pair of street dogs engage in on a pile of construction sand. They’ll nip, yank at each other’s tails, roll-over in mock submission, stand very still and pounce. And when that animal has only humans as company, it displays much mischievous behaviour. Intriguingly, this involves stealth, pre-planning, and a sense of humour. Yes, a sense of humour. People talk of dogs who lie in wait for the milkman at different spots in a compound, only to pounce and frighten them for a few seconds. There is simply no aggressive intent. Cats play hide-n-seek with their owners, lying very still like statues till they are discovered. The look of mischief is writ large on a dog’s face when he’s playing catch or dodge or fetch with his owner, and mock-refuses to play according to ‘rules’.

Temper tantrums: A pet that is upset about being left alone, particularly young dogs, will destroy something that they know you like – shredding a book or plant, taking a leak on the bed, or digging up the garden and throwing soil all over the place. They are well aware that this is a no-no with you, but they simply indulge in the tantrum, just like a child would. A red-vented bulbul that had adopted a city family was known to make little petulant attacks on their heads if they came home after a few-hours long absence. A tantrum involves a fairly complex set of emotions: getting upset, feeling miserable, getting angry, then acting out the anger by identifying something of yours to destroy, so that you get the message loud and clear: “I hate being left alone!” Recognizing this does not mean allowing it. One should not be bullied by one’s pets, and temper tantrums have to be dealt with, but the point is that an animal is capable of this range of emotions.

Guilt: Sometimes you know that your dog has been up to no-good by the sheer look on his face when you enter the room. Later you discover that he’s put his paws on the kitchen counter and nicked a biscuit, or perhaps has urinated in the wrong place. The look of guilt is unmistakable. Ears tucked back, tail hanging low, eyes wide, and a desperate attempt to look much smaller than they are! Some dogs or cats will simply vanish under a bed well before their guilty deed has been discovered. Once you chastise them too, they look stricken, and some can even put on a big show of guilt, quivering, offering a placatory paw, and licking your hand in great contriteness – only to go ahead and commit the crime again next time round!

Sulking: Some animals simply sulk after you’ve scolded them or if they’re bored or feeling neglected. All of us who have indulged in it know that sulking is a complex emotional response too. It involves feeling sadness or anger, then deciding that the best way to communicate it is to withdraw yourself, and be noticed. It involves hoping that the other person will take note of your sulk and do something about it, make the first move to placate you and put you back into a good mood. Dogs, cats, even pet birds are known to sulk at their owners.

Watch your animal’s range of emotions and you’ll be rewarded by a palette of colourful insights.