Jenna Jameson The Maussage

emotions in dogs

So far we have dealt with two aspects of the functioning of the dog's mind: the decision-making mechanism and memory. Despite the differences, in both cases, humans and dogs have more in common than it seems, to the point that something that seems unique to us, emotions, is also present in the minds of our canine friends .

Looking at the behavior of our dogs to different stimuli, may be feeling and showing emotions. For example, when we got home work and our dog is wagging tail to greet us, is feeling joy, as if we give a toy. In contrast, if we leave much time alone at home our dog will feel sad.

feel that our dog is made possible by possessing the necessary brain structures, but their way of showing emotions will obviously not be verbal but through body language . The movements of the tail, ears, facial expression, body posture and even cries, barks or growls, will allow us, interpreting them properly, feels exactly know what our dog.

As mentioned, emotions occur in response to a stimulus that threatens the welfare of the dog, providing the energy needed to cope and adapt to the new situation and allow their survival, which is called adaptive function emotions. We found 6 types of emotions, each with an adaptive function that leads him to take action:

• Joy: is a feeling of gratification and well-being, the dog is happy and want to play something that makes you feel so .
• Aversion: disgust or distaste, rejection of what causes it.
• Anger: Anger , induces the animal to destruction.
• Fear: Feelings of uncertainty with the approach of danger, the dog tends to seek protection.
• Surprise: Wonder or embarrassment, its role is to help orientation in the new situation.
  
• Sadness: usually is a feeling of loneliness, although in some cases it may be worth, brings to the animal to a new personal status.

mistakenly be considered to jealousy as an emotion, when it is actually considered a protective instinct. For example, dogs are protective of their owners change their attitude and become suspicious when approaching to love a human stranger, who considered a potential threat.

Finally, it must be borne in mind that some of these types of emotions are related to behavioral disorders . For example, depression canine is connected to a stage of acute sadness to be stretching itself unfinished, and disorders fear aggression are caused by fear.