Well Jen, he must have some empathy with people or he wouldn't be good at what he does. Either that or you can train any dog for anything.
Oh yeah the thread, I think dogs are so adapt at reading body language and tone of voice they know when 'something' ain't quite right, even when we believe its is exactly the same as yesterday.
Theres more to them than meets the eye.
Randy

Different moods and feelings release different hormones and chemicals in the body.. serotonin, adrenalin, endorphins, dopamine, etc etc. All these, I believe, affect our scent and our energy. The whole "animals can smell fear" thing is because of epinephrine/adrenalin flooding the system and often causes sweating or clammy hands, etc - that sweat is different than "normal" sweat that is produced from exercise or as a response to heat. I haven't done much research on the other neurotransmitters/hormones as far as whether or not anything different happens in your sweat, etc but I have a feeling it is the same. Not to mention the energy you give off by being negative or excited etc.

The National Geographic Channel just had a show on called The Science of Dogs that showed a dog's ability to understand and observe humans. That dogs will watch a humans eyes and can follow clues and follow the gaze of a human. The fact that a dog will go in the direction you point or motion to, or that if you close your eyes the dog knows you cannot see is really more amazing than people think. This program pointed out that it is likely an adaptation due to dogs living so closely with humans and that wild animals/species from recently wild generations do not contain these traits or abilities and for the most part couldn't care less if a human is motioning at them to show them where a treat is.

Personally, I think that mood most definitely affects a dog - but that it depends on the dog the same as how temperament varies. Some breeds have been bred to be independent and so are less keyed in to human ways. Other breeds have been created to be with humans all the time and the most attentive dogs were the most successful and thus traits were passed on.

Edited by Jennifer Marshal (01/04/2008 06:44 PM)
Edit reason: Spelling (horrible!)

Great explination of this Jennifer!

Thanks Terra

Just to add in case people are curious about what in the sweat is different - when afraid/nervous/angry etc and adrenalin/epinephrine is released into the body-

"Apocrine sweat glands
They are nestled in with the hair follicles in your scalp, underarms, and groin. These glands respond to the adrenaline that's produced when people get nervous or scared, producing a sweat that contains fatty oils. This perspiration also reacts with the bacteria on the skin's surface, generating a sour smell (a.k.a. the stink of fear, the stench of flop sweat). Apocrine sweat glands put the "odor" in B.O."

That was from this site: http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2139.html

definitly! everything I think gets broadcasted by my dog. If I dont trust someone she wont ever warm up to them either, even little things like someone coming in my room/house at a time when I dont want them and it annoys me; she'll bark a reprimand at them. as far as training, its the same. If Im excited about this new thing we're going to do she will try and try until she gets it right...

lol...I was wondering because I realized yesterday that part of OUR problem is me stressing. Then she doesn't work as well. So I started fakin' it till I made it and she was spot on! Nice to know everyone has to watch for this also. Let me know if anyone finds any studies on this.

Ps: Jenninfer you are very lucky to have a dog so un-fazed by your mood!