Can dogs actually spot “bad people”? Experts reveal the truth
Sometimes it appears that dogs have a sixth sense, able to pick out people that we should be wary of. But what do the experts have to say about it?
If you’ve been around dogs a lot, you may have noticed that with some people they are quick to excitedly run up to them, ready to greet them with their tail wagging. While with other people, they become tense and take a more cautionary stance.
Many dog owners say that if their canine friend could speak, they would say “I can see bad people.” However, what is the truth behind this supposed sixth sense?
Dog trainer and behavior consultant, Adrienne Farricelli recently explained for Parade Pets what’s going on with our four-legged friends.
The truth behind dogs’ sixth sense
Dogs are highly sociable animals that have coexisted with humans for thousands of years. Over that time, they have learned to pick up on our social cues, body language, the tone of voice we use, and how we interact with others and them.
Farricelli says that how your dog reacts to other people may come down to “emotional contagion.” So if a person is acting oddly or nervous, they can perceive this and will “mirror” the behavior.
Likewise, with their heightened sense of smell dogs can notice when a person has elevated levels of cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands, triggering them to be more cautious too.
However, she notes that the sense of unease or nervousness that is causing the ‘bad person’ reaction in your dog may not be from the ‘sketchy person’ coming down the street, but by the person holding the leash. If your dog senses that you are nervous or worried, they will mirror you.
Your dogs past may be what is haunting them
Other factors to keep in mind are your dog’s upbringing and past encounters with people.
Farricelli explains that dogs that haven’t had proper socializing during a critical period when they were a puppy, between the third and 14th weeks, they “may have a stronger reaction to someone than a dog that has been socialized.” If they haven’t had a chance to see and interact with a wide range of people, someone or something they perceive as “‘unusual’… may trigger feelings of fear or defensiveness.”
Another thing that may cause your dog to act cautiously is “generalization,” whereby a negative past experience has been placed into your dog’s “red ‘danger’ folder.” It could be that a person with a cane once threatened your dog, so any other with a cane is now a ‘danger’. This can be applied to certain clothing or behaviors as well.
In the end, Farricelli says, “until the day dogs can talk, we’re left with educated guesses,” as to the real reason why your dog appears to be picking up on “bad vibes.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.