Dogs get depressed when they can smell that their owners are stressed.
Stress in humans triggers a unique scent that can be smelt by canines and new evidence shows that worried humans make man’s best friend gloomy.
During a trial, 18 dogs were provided with food bowls that either contained a treat or were empty.
After sniffing the odour of a relaxed human who had been listening to calming sounds, the pooches approached the treat bowl more quickly but if they smelt a stressed-out person they went to the dish at a slower pace as if they were anticipating disappointment.
Dr. Nicola Rooney, lead author of the research at Bristol Veterinary School, said: “Understanding how human stress affects dogs’ well-being is an important consideration for dogs in kennels and when training companion dogs and dogs for working roles such as assistance dogs.
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“Dog owners know how attuned their pets are to their emotions, but here we show that even the odour of a stressed, unfamiliar human affects a dog’s emotional state, perception of rewards, and ability to learn.
“Working dog handlers often describe stress travelling down the lead, but we’ve also shown it can also travel through the air.”
