Is Your Dog Pessimistic?

2020 has been a year of change and upheaval for everyone, including our dogs. While we have been busy following what the latest restrictions mean for us, swapping working routines, and missing seeing loved ones - most of our dogs have been embracing the extra time we’ve been able to offer them. 

I say most, as although I’m sure ALL our dogs have enjoyed extra time with their special humans, some may have found the changes hard to cope with. From limitations on walks, to not being able to greet every dog they encounter, to an increase in human presence in the home - our dogs have had to navigate a wide range of changes within their usual routine. Not only that, but as routines started to return to normal, local lockdowns and increased restrictions further mixed things up again.

One thing that 2020 has highlighted for me is our individual dog’s ability (or inability) to cope with changes in routine. 

Have you ever considered whether your dog is a “glass (or should that be bowl?) half empty” or “half full” dog? Do they have an optimistic approach to life? Or do they tend to assume the worst?

If you’re wondering how you might be able to tell - it can be as simple as whether they investigate a closed fist held near to them or not. An optimistic dog might approach the fist in the small chance it holds a treat, whereas a pessimistic dog wouldn’t unless it could actually see or smell the treat there. It’s all about how your dog responds in ambiguous situations - how they judge the potential outcome. When presented with something new, or a new situation, does your dog respond positively? Are they keen to explore new environments or interested when you bring a new item into your home? 

Optimism allows our dogs to act more confidently in new situations. Pessimism means they’re more likely to be anxious and reactive. Optimism drives motivation - and opportunities for learning - pessimism discourages interactions.

In the wild, dogs (and any other animals) who have a pessimistic approach to the world actually have better survival rates! A pessimist would be much more likely to anticipate danger in advance - as they predict bad things being around each corner. A wild dog who is too relaxed and confident might not seek shelter at the right time and fall prey to a predator. However, when we understand how optimism affects our domesticated dogs’ lives - how they tend to be much more happy - we would no doubt wish them to have this approach rather than a pessimistic one.

In fact, if we have a dog who is much more likely to think the worst in all situations, we have a dog who is much more likely to suffer from stress and anxiety. This negative outlook could open them up to anxiety disorders, such as those related to being left alone or fear in the presence of new people or dogs. Pair this with changes in routine and human habits - such as those 2020 has provided - and we have a dog that is finding life pretty tough. This is why we’re seeing an increase in “attention-seeking” (or I prefer “support-seeking”) behaviours, in alert barking, and in separation disorders. 

So, what do we do if we have a pessimistic dog? 

How can we support a change of outlook?

There have been many judgement bias studies performed on dogs - from looking at how the training methods we use affect our dogs’ outlook (positively trained dogs are more likely to be optimistic), to how an increase in oxytocin “the love hormone” can present a more cheerful outlook, to the effect of joyful music and scentwork on our dogs! 

In most judgement bias tests, dogs will firstly repeatedly be presented with food bowls. When they are placed on one side of the room, the bowls will have food - when they are placed on the opposite side, they will be empty. The variable being tested in the study (music, oxytocin spray, etc) will then be used and then bowls will be placed at random spaces in the room. Dogs who have an optimistic response will move towards the bowls no matter where they are, with hope they will contain food. Dogs who have a pessimistic attitude will be less inclined to approach the bowls, or will do so much more slowly. 

The outcome of these studies can actually help us when it comes to our approach with our pessimistic dogs. We can think about the variables that supported optimistic choices in these studies and add those into our dogs’ lives. Let’s take a look at these individual variables. 

Scentwork

In a recent study from Duranton and Horowitz, two groups of dogs spent equal amounts of time training with their owners for equal amounts of food. They did the judgement bias test before and after their two weeks of training time. One group was trained in “heelwork” and the other in “nosework”. When they then completed their judgement bias test, the “nosework” group approached the bowls significantly faster than they did before the training commenced - but there was no change in the approaches of the “heelwork” dogs. So we can conclude here that having an opportunity to use their nose, for natural foraging behaviours, had improved their positive outlook. 

The best bit is, that scentwork really doesn’t have to be complex. You can add simple nosework opportunities into your daily routine by scattering food around your lawn or a snuffle mat and allowing your dog to sniff it all out. Foraging for food is a great way to instantly boost your dog’s mood and, as the study suggests, improve their optimistic approach to life.

Training Methods

When it comes to optimism… It’s not just WHAT we teach our dogs but HOW we teach it, a recent study at the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute showed. In this study, two groups of dogs were put through their judgement bias test after either being trained using positive reward methods or punishment-based methods. Not only did the punishment-based “aversive group” show more signs of stress, but they were actually deemed more pessimistic in the bias test. 

So if you want your dog to have a better approach to new experiences, and life in general, focus on rewarding behaviours and setting your dog up to be successful in all training sessions. You might find that initially, a pessimistic dog may find learning new exercises through ‘shaping’ methods very difficult. Instead, use food lures and teach very simple behaviours so they can get some early wins to help boost their confidence and enjoyment of training with you. 

Oxytocin

In a study into the effect of Oxytocin (Kis et.al) on a dog’s optimism, the researchers found that dogs who had received a spray of oxytocin, as opposed to a placebo, were faster in their approach to the ambiguously placed bowls. 

Oxytocin - known as the “love” or “hug” hormone - is created when we spend time together. Cuddling up or bonding socially is the best way to increase oxytocin. For our dogs, it can come through shared experiences or through our touch. So spending time snuggling up with your dog is actually good for their optimism! Just remember, if your dog chooses to move away from you - allow them space. Not all dogs enjoy our vast affections!

Music

We know that music can impact our own moods - so why not that of our dogs? While other studies have looked at the impact of music on stress levels in dogs - finding reggae and soft rock to be the most relaxing - Gulliver’s study of “Musically Inspired Optimism in Dogs” indicated that dogs might respond to emotion in music in a similar way to us. In this study, before being allowed to approach the ambiguous bowls, the dogs were played music that was deemed either to elicit feelings of fear or happiness. The dogs were seen to be significantly faster in their approach to the bowls after hearing joyful music as opposed to fear music. 

So the sounds you play in the house can also help your dog feel better about life. While I’m not suggesting that you playing happy upbeat tunes is going to be the key to curing your dog’s fear of being alone, it does question whether we should be leaving the tv or radio on - as we then have no control of the sounds they hear. Perhaps a soft rock or reggae playlist might be better suited.

If you share your life with a pessimistic dog, considering your approach to how you live and train with them is incredibly important. Help them navigate life changes in as easy a manner as possible. Create value in their time spent with you. Build trust and predictability in how you behave with them. And spend some time dancing to Reggae together!