Published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, this study explored how dogs react when a previously rewarded behavior—looking toward a human for food—ceases to be reinforced. The researchers designed a communicative situation where food became inaccessible, testing dogs’ reactions under both reinforcement and extinction conditions. The aim was to identify behavioral signs of frustration when expected outcomes fail to materialize.
Results showed that during extinction, dogs exhibited a marked increase in withdrawal, ambulation, lying down, and side orientation toward the human’s location, along with vocalizations and sniffing. These patterns indicate that the absence of expected reinforcement triggers an aversive emotional state comparable to fear. Physiologically, this aligns with stress responses observed in other species when predictable rewards are removed, suggesting that frustration in dogs is both emotional and adaptive in nature.
The authors emphasize that understanding canine frustration is crucial in training and welfare contexts. Extinction-based methods, commonly used to reduce unwanted behaviors, can unintentionally evoke emotional distress if not paired with clear communication and alternative reinforcement. Recognizing frustration signals—such as gaze aversion, pacing, or whining—can help trainers and owners respond more empathetically and prevent escalation into anxiety or aggression.
Jakovcevic and colleagues conclude that frustration reflects a key intersection between learning, emotion, and social communication in dogs. Their findings underscore the importance of emotionally aware training methods that acknowledge how dogs experience and express negative affect when expectations are violated.
Source: Jakovcevic, A., Elgier, A. M., Mustaca, A., & Bentosela, M. (2013). Frustration Behaviors in Domestic Dogs. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 16, 19–34. Published January 1, 2013.
