Growing up, I remember reading in old dog books that one should act indifferent towards their dog upon arriving home.
One of the endearing qualities about dogs is their ecstatic reactions every time we return, whether we’ve been away for minutes or days.
Yet, their excitement can sometimes manifest as undesirable behaviors, such as leaping, barking, or a small pee accident. Traditional training wisdom advised owners to play it cool, giving the impression that our arrival isn’t a significant event.
Some thought that the dog’s enthusiastic greeting wasn’t truly an expression of happiness, but maybe more of an ingrained habit.
However, recent findings from Japan strongly suggest that our dogs genuinely adore us to a great extent. By the way, Japan does have its quirks, but that’s another story.
The Study: Can Dogs Shed Emotional Tears? A fascinating study unveiled in the Creative Biology magazine was led by scientists at Azabu University’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Japan.
To determine tear production in dogs, the Schirmer Tear Test (STT) was utilized. This test uses a slender filter paper strip positioned under the dog’s lower eyelid. The paper discolors when moist, enabling the monitoring of tear secretion.
While the STT test is commonly used to diagnose dry eye conditions in dogs, it serves a unique purpose here.
Research indicated that after being apart from their owners for about 5-7 hours, dogs shed more tears upon reunion, especially with their primary caregiver.
Interestingly, human tears vary in their chemical composition based on our emotions. Emotional tears, for example, help us release certain stress hormones. This might explain why crying sometimes brings relief. Our tears also affect other people’s behavior.
Currently, we don’t have evidence if a dog’s tears have a similar emotional aspect.
A side note from the research showed that humans responded more warmly to pictures of dogs with tears in their eyes.
Recall those heart-wrenching ASPCA commercials showcasing distressed animals with sorrowful eyes and Sarah McLachlan’s “Arms of an Angel” in the background?
Such tearful gazes may have a profound impact on our emotions.
Do Dogs Actually Cry? Though science suggests dogs might produce tears from emotion when seeing us, many would concur that dogs don’t truly “cry.”
For instance, Matilda’s eyes often become watery, especially during moments of anticipation or impatience.
I once thought it was a small dog trait, as their tear ducts often lead to more visible tears, causing tear stains. However, these might indeed be emotion-driven.
In contrast, my other dog, Cow, appears more emotionally dynamic but doesn’t show the same tearful reaction.
Interpreting Emotional Displays in Dogs Returning to our homecoming reactions – if our dogs display signs of emotion, how should we respond, especially if they exhibit unwelcome behaviors?
The key is to prioritize understanding. Dogs can become overly excited, which can be challenging for them to control.
Strategies such as speaking gently and waiting for them to sit before greeting them can help. By getting down to their level, we can give them the affection they crave without encouraging them to jump.
It’s not practical to completely ignore a dog brimming with joy upon your return, but neither does it need to be an over-the-top event.
If a family member were to rush up to you excitedly after a tiring day, would you push them away, or would you reciprocate their love while guiding their behavior?
Our dogs lean on us for emotional support during their intense moments. By recognizing and meeting their emotional needs, we pave the way for desired behaviors.
