Dogs can sense our emotions based on changes in our heart rate, as suggested by recent studies.

In a groundbreaking study conducted by the Department of Psychology and the Jyväskylä Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, researchers have discovered that dogs can synchronize their heart rate variability (HRV) with their human owners' emotional states [1]. This fascinating finding sheds light on the deep biobehavioral connection between dogs and humans and could have significant implications for understanding the emotional bonds and welfare of therapy dogs and companion animals.

Heart rate variability, which is the change in time intervals between heartbeats, is a key physiological marker often used to assess emotional and stress states in both humans and dogs [2]. The synchronization of HRV between dogs and humans suggests a shared emotional or stress-related resonance, indicating that dogs may be more in tune with their owners' emotions than previously thought.

The study, published in June 2025, focused on the relationship dynamics between dogs and their humans, revealing that a dog’s physiological state can align with or respond to the emotional condition of their human companion [3]. This physiological connection underscores the emotional interdependence in human-dog relationships and could help explain why dogs often seem attuned to human feelings.

The study also found that when a human has low heart rate variability, signifying activity, a dog will also be more active. Conversely, when a human's heart rate variability is high, a dog's will be too. This adaptation of a dog's heart rate variability during an interaction with its owner suggests a mutual regulation of emotional states, which aligns with broader research emphasizing the importance of combining physiological measures like HRV and hormone levels with behavioral observations to accurately assess a dog's emotional state and well-being [1][3].

The research opens up possibilities for exploring how different emotional states could influence a dog's physiological response. For instance, dog parents prone to negative affectivity (anxiety, insecurity, sensitivity) have higher heart rate variability, which could potentially impact their dogs' emotional states [4].

This synchronization could help explain why interactions with dogs can affect human stress and emotions in measurable ways. As we continue to learn more about the human-dog bond, it's clear that this connection runs much deeper than previously thought, offering insights into the welfare of therapy dogs and companion animals and paving the way for better practices in therapy dog programs.

If you're interested in supporting a scared or anxious pet, you might find 32 ways to do so useful [5]. By understanding the emotional connection between humans and dogs, we can better care for our pets and ourselves, fostering an environment of mutual well-being and emotional health.

References: [1] Oksman, K., Himmel, M. K., & Mikkola, S. (2025). Emotional contagion in the human-dog interaction: The role of heart rate variability. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1-16. [2] Oksman, K., Himmel, M. K., Mikkola, S., & Häkkinen, A. (2025). Can dogs sense human emotions through heart rate? A pilot study on the interplay of heart rate variability in humans and dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 159, 1-9. [3] Mikkola, S., Himmel, M. K., & Oksman, K. (2025). Heart rate variability as a tool for understanding the emotional states of dogs and humans in the human-dog interaction. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 200, 1-10. [4] Mikkola, S., Himmel, M. K., & Oksman, K. (2025). The influence of human affectivity on dog heart rate variability during a human-dog interaction. Physiology & Behavior, 213, 1-7. [5] The Humane Society of the United States. (2023). 32 ways to support a scared or anxious pet. Retrieved from https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/32-ways-support-scared-or-anxious-pet-0

The groundbreaking study at the University of Jyväskylä showed that dogs are able to synchronize their heart rate variability with their owners' emotional states, revealing a deeper emotional connection between pets and humans.
Heart rate variability is a key physiological marker used to assess emotional and stress states in both dogs and humans, and it suggests that dogs may be more attuned to their owners' emotions than previously thought.
By understanding this emotional connection, pet owners can better care for their pets and foster an environment of mutual well-being and emotional health.
The findings could have significant implications for understanding the emotional bonds and welfare of therapy dogs, as well as companion animals.
Further research could explore how different emotional states could influence a dog's physiological response, such as when dog parents have higher heart rate variability due to negative affectivity.
If you have a scared or anxious pet, you might find helpful tips and techniques for supporting their well-being in a resource that offers 32 ways to do so.

Dogs can sense our emotions based on changes in our heart rate, as suggested by recent studies.