Unlocking the bond: how your stress influences your dog's behaviour

It’s no secret that dogs are incredibly attuned to their humans. They seem to know when you’re sad when you’re happy and even when you’re about to take them for a walk.

But groundbreaking new research from the UK shows just how deeply your stress can influence your dog not just emotionally but also in the decisions they make.

Published in "Scientific Reports", the study reveals that dogs exposed to the scent of human stress are more likely to make pessimistic decisions in ambiguous situations. This fascinating discovery sheds light on the profound connection between human emotions and canine behaviour, offering valuable lessons for dog owners on how to foster a happier and healthier relationship with their pets.

The science behind dogs and stress

Dogs are already known to detect stress in humans. Service dogs, for example, are trained to sense changes in cortisol a stress hormone that spikes during moments of anxiety or tension. But this study, led by researchers from the University of Bristol, Cardiff University and Medical Detection Dogs, takes it a step further as it examines how the scent of stress affects a dog’s emotional state and decision-making.

Dr Zoe Parr-Cortes, the study’s lead author and a veterinarian at Bristol Veterinary School, explained to NPR: “Dogs have co-evolved with humans for thousands of years, so it makes sense that they’ve learned to read our emotions. Understanding our stress could be useful to them, especially if it signals a potential threat in the environment.”

How the study worked

To test their theory, researchers designed experiments involving both humans and dogs.

Here’s how it played out:

1. Stress resting humans

Volunteers were put in high-pressure situations, including giving a last-minute speech and performing mentally taxing math problems, while researchers maintained “serious expressions” to amplify social anxiety.

Afterwards, the participants relaxed by watching calming videos of forests and oceans. Throughout the process, scientists measured stress indicators like cortisol levels, heart rate, and self-reported anxiety. They also collected sweat and breath samples using cloths placed under the participants’ arms.

2. Decision testing dogs

18 dogs of varying breeds participated in decision-making trials. First, they were trained to locate food bowls: one consistently contained food, while another was always empty. Once the dogs learned these positions, researchers introduced a third, ambiguous bowl placed between the two known locations. The big question: would the dogs approach the ambiguous bowl optimistically (expecting food) or hesitantly (assuming it was empty)?

3. The role of stress scents

Before making their decision, the dogs were exposed to one of two scents: a cloth carrying the scent of a stressed human or one carrying a relaxed scent. The results were striking.

Dogs exposed to the stress scent hesitated longer before approaching the ambiguous bowl, suggesting a more pessimistic outlook.The relaxed scent, however, had no significant impact.

What this means for dog owners

This study underscores a powerful truth: your emotional state doesn’t just affect you, it affects your dog, too.

“Dogs are incredibly in tune with their owners’ emotions. If you’re stressed, they’re likely picking up on it, which could influence how they feel, behave and even learn,” Parr-Cortes said.

This finding has critical implications for dog training and daily interactions:

Stress during training can backfire: If you’re tense or frustrated, your dog might feel less confident and more hesitant, making it harder for them to learn.

Positive reinforcement builds trust: Approaching training with patience, rewards, and a calm demeanour helps your dog feel secure and optimistic.

Stressful environments affect behaviour: Dogs living in high-stress households or exposed to anxiety-inducing situations may show signs of pessimism or reluctance in their actions. Why dogs react to stress

So, why do dogs respond this way?

Dr Parr-Cortes suggests it’s an evolutionary advantage as dogs have coexisted with humans for thousands of years, learning to interpret our emotions as survival cues.

If a human signals stress whether through body language, tone or scent it could mean danger or a change in the environment. However, Molly Byrne, a Ph.D. student at Boston College who studies comparative cognition, points out that many factors influence how dogs perceive and react to stress.

“Life experiences, temperament, and even breed can shape their behaviour,” she says.

Here’s how you can use this research to improve your bond with your dog:

1. Manage your stress

If you’re feeling anxious, take a moment to calm yourself before engaging with your dog. Breathing exercises, a quick walk or mindfulness techniques can help.

2. Create a positive environment

Use rewards, praise and playtime to associate training and daily interactions with joy, not tension.

3. Be mindful of shared stressors

Dogs can mirror your feelings in crowded places, noisy environments or chaotic situations. If you’re stressed, they likely are too. This study is a reminder of how deeply bonded we are with our dogs. Their ability to sense and react to our emotions is both a gift and a responsibility.

“Dogs don’t just follow commands; they read us. This means that building a healthy, trust-based relationship is as much about managing our emotions as it is about understanding theirs, said Parr-Cortes.