2/20/2018
5 Things Dogs Can Sense
You may have heard that dogs have a sixth sense. Sure, dogs have keen hearing and eyesight, but their senses seem to go even beyond that. Did you know that dogs can sense the following 5 things?
1. When You’re Expecting
During pregnancy, the body goes through certain changes, including hormonal level differences. Dogs are able to sense this and relate the altered scent to pregnancy, especially if they’ve been a member of your family for multiple pregnancies.
2. Your Mood
Have you ever noticed your best friend trying to comfort you during a difficult time? Dogs can tell if you are feeling sad. A study published in the Animal Cognition showed that dogs were more likely to approach a crying person, rather than someone humming or talking. Proof that your best friend is always there for you!
3. Earthquakes
Dogs can tell if an earthquake is coming your way before it happens. According to Animals & Earthquake Prediction via USGS:
“Very few humans notice the smaller P wave that travels the fastest from the earthquake source and arrives before the larger S wave. But many animals with more keen senses are able to feel the P wave seconds before the S wave arrives. As for sensing an impending earthquake days or weeks before it occurs, that's a different story.”
4. Seizures
Seizure alert dogs are a category of assistance animals that emerged in the early 2000s. According to National Geographic, how dogs can do this is still a mystery, but these animals can alert patients 15 minutes to 12 hours before an attack takes place. Once their pet parent is warned, the person can find a safe place to lay down and wait for the seizure. Seizure assist dogs give their pet parents the confidence to be able to live a more active life while managing their condition.
5. Fairness
Dogs also have a sense of fairness. A study conducted by Friederike Range, a researcher at the University of Vienna in Austria, looked at dogs’ reactions when it comes to rewards. A series of dogs, grouped into pairs, were asked to “give paw” or “shake”. After repeatedly “giving paw”, one dog would receive a reward, while the other would not. The dog that was not receiving a reward knew the situation was not fair, expressed emotions of sadness and frustration, and then stopped obeying the command.
We already know that our best friends have perceptions and abilities beyond a human. But considering what they can sense before it happens in the world, makes our best friends even more special. Yet another reason to pay attention to what your pup may be telling you!
