In a pivotal 2024 study, Hannah E. Flint and colleagues set out to determine how dogs’ emotional states—both positive and negative—can be reliably assessed through physiological and behavioral indicators. The study, conducted at a research facility with 60 dogs, focused on short-term emotional responses to six controlled scenarios designed to elicit a range of emotional valence (positive vs. negative) and arousal (low vs. high).
Using a cross-over experimental design, researchers monitored diverse measures: cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), heart rate variability (HRV), panting, whining, body shaking, and more. Each parameter was analyzed in terms of its correlation with the emotional arousal and valence elicited by each scenario.
Key findings revealed that many traditional stress indicators—such as cortisol, ACTH, HRV, panting, and whining—were significantly affected by high arousal but only in negative valence contexts. This suggests that these markers are better suited for identifying stress or anxiety rather than positive emotional states.
To assess positive emotional states, the most promising approach was the Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA), which was sensitive to both arousal and valence and emerged as the most robust indicator of happiness or calmness. In addition, parameters such as activity levels, ear temperature, and sitting behavior were associated with positive high arousal, although the influence of movement and scenario design on these measures warrants caution.
Interestingly, markers like heart rate, secretory immunoglobulin A, standing, and lying were found to be more general indicators of arousal, irrespective of whether the emotional state was positive or negative.
This study highlights the importance of using a multi-parameter approach when assessing canine emotion. Relying on a single measure can be misleading, especially when trying to detect positive emotions. Environmental factors such as temperature, food presence, exercise, and coder bias must also be carefully considered in any welfare assessment framework.
By integrating both behavioral and physiological metrics, especially tools like the QBA, this research offers a critical advancement in the field of animal welfare and deepens our understanding of how dogs experience and display emotion.
Source: Hannah E. Flint, Joanna E. Weller, Naomi Parry-Howells, Zoe Ellerby, Sophie L. McKay, and Tamara King. 2024-03-17. “Evaluation of indicators of acute emotional states in dogs.” Scientific Reports, 14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54049-9
