Why We Often Misread Our Dogs’ Emotions

Humans love to think they understand dogs’ emotions. We read wagging tails as happiness, droopy eyes as sadness, and enthusiastic barks as joy. But according to a 2025 study "Barking Up the Wrong Tree" published in Anthrozoös, a journal focused on the interactions between people and other animals, we might not be as accurate as we think.

In two experiments involving hundreds of psychology undergraduates from Arizona State University, researchers tested how humans perceive dog emotions under different conditions. Participants watched short videos of a dog experiencing various positive (like getting a treat) or negative (like facing a vacuum cleaner) situations. Some videos showed the full background — including the owner and objects — while others were edited to remove all context.

In a new paper, ASU researchers Holly Molinaro and Clive Wynne (pictured) outline a pair of experiments they ran to show how humans misperceive dog emotions. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU

The results were eye-opening. When the background context was visible, participants’ judgments were heavily influenced by it. If the human in the video looked happy or if the surroundings seemed positive, participants rated the dog’s emotions as more positive — even if the dog’s behaviour didn't match. In mismatched videos where the human context suggested happiness but the dog was actually reacting negatively, people still tended to assume the dog was happy.

One experiment by Holly Molinaro and Clive Wynne showed what context means for humans reading a dog's emotions. The dog is reacting the same way in both of these video clips. When the vacuum cleaner is shown, respondents said the dog was agitated. When the leash clip is shown, they described the dog as happy. Video by Steven Filmer/ASU Media Relations

In contrast, when context was removed and only the dog was visible against a black background, people relied more on  the dog’s actual body language (like tail position) to judge emotion. Still, anthropomorphism was high — over 90% of free responses described the dog's feelings in human emotional terms.

The study also found that younger people (aged 18–21) rated dogs as more positive and more energetic than older participants (aged 22+). Experience with dogs influenced perceptions too: those who felt familiar with dogs tended to see dogs’ emotions more positively, even sometimes missing negative cues.

These findings highlight an important lesson: our interpretation of a dog’s feelings isn't just about the dog. It's shaped by background cues, our assumptions, and even our emotional biases.

Misreading dog emotions can have real consequences for welfare. If we mistake anxiety for happiness, or overlook signs of fear, we may not meet our dogs’ needs properly. To truly understand what a dog is feeling, we need to learn to pay close attention to their specific body language — not just the environment around them.

This research reminds us: understanding a dog means seeing them for who they are, not what we expect them to be. Understanding your dog’s emotions starts with slowing down and truly observing — not just the scene around them, but the subtle shifts in their body language. Watch their tail carriage, ear movements, weight shifts, and gaze. Over time, you’ll build a deeper, more instinctive sense of what they’re feeling.

At True Blue, we believe respecting your dog’s real emotional life also means respecting their instincts at every level — including how we feed them. That's why we craft treats made from pure, single-ingredient Australian meat and seafood. Because true care isn't just about what you give. It's about how you understand.