People often wonder if dogs can tell the difference between good and bad people. The answer seems to be yes! Dogs are amazing creatures and can sense things that we either don’t notice or could never detect ourselves.
How Dogs Read People
Dogs are great at reading body language, which is why they make such great companions. They watch a person’s facial expressions, body movements, tone of voice, and even the energy they give off to understand what someone is really saying or feeling in that moment.
Can Dogs Judge Character?
If someone is acting anxious, nervous, or hostile, a dog can pick up on that energy. Similarly, if someone is speaking loudly, harshly, or making large, wild gestures, this tells a dog something too. These signals inform a dog about the emotions a person is experiencing.
Can Dogs Sense When Someone is Dangerous?
Dogs use their keen senses as a defense mechanism. By watching someone’s tone of voice, actions, and energy, they determine if someone is safe or potentially dangerous. If your behavior makes a dog uncomfortable, they might try to run away. If a dog feels threatened and cornered, they might react aggressively.
This is why it’s important to be careful when small children are around dogs. Even if the child doesn’t mean any harm, their loud and erratic behavior can seem threatening to a dog. If a child screams, runs around, or crashes into things, the dog will be on high alert. If the child then starts hitting, climbing on, or yanking the dog’s ears, the dog might feel trapped and react aggressively.
Can Dogs Sense Kindness?
Yes, dogs can sense kindness too! A relaxed and at-peace dog feels safe because they can tell that the energy around them is calm. When you act calm and confident, a dog knows you’re a kind, good, and safe person, making them feel comfortable enough to let their guard down.
However, if someone enters that safe space with anxious, loud, or hostile energy, your dog will immediately feel unsettled and become guarded.
Signs that a Dog Thinks You’re a Good Person
Here are some signs that indicate a dog thinks you’re a good, safe, and kind person:
- Wagging their tail
- Soft, staring eyes
- Sniffing you
- Tilted head
- Mouth open and relaxed
- Following you around
- Not guarding “their people” or things
- Relaxed demeanor
Signs that a Dog Thinks You’re a Bad Person
Dogs can even sense an angry person by smelling the chemicals emitted through their skin when their heart rate and blood flow increase. Here are some signs to watch out for if a dog thinks you’re a bad person:
- Backing away
- Hair standing up on their back
- Guarding “their people” or things
- Growling
- Ears back in fear
- Intense, staring eyes
- Barking
What to Do When Your Dog Senses a Bad Person?
If your dog senses a bad person, there are steps you can take to manage the situation:
- Always keep your dog on a harness and leash to control them and keep them close by your side to prevent any aggressive actions.
- Don’t yell at or hit your dog for reacting this way; they’re following their instincts. Instead, try talking to them in a soothing voice to reassure them.
- If the perceived threat doesn’t leave, take your dog away from the person or area to help them calm down and feel safe again.
Can Dogs Tell if You’re a Dog Person?
Yes, dogs can tell if you’re a dog person or not. They can sense people’s energy and tell if someone is relaxed, happy, anxious, or hostile. This is why it’s helpful to reassure your dog that your friends and family are safe and good people. You can also explain to your friends and family that your dog will feel calmer and more comfortable when they act calm and relaxed around the dog.