how in tune are dogs to their owners?

jellyfish

These last few days, especially today, toki has been barking a lot more in public and at the house ever since ive come down with a really bad cold (of which im suspicious that I actually have bronchitis...went to a CareNow cause my doctor wasnt open sunday. Smh at CareNow, but I needed drugs). Do you think its because he noticed this sickness or because I haven't been able to take him out in public for a few days so his socialization has regressed? I mean, toki is pretty stoic, but dogs can be pretty in tune with their owners, right? Any stories relating with your pup?

just a random thought. I wonder how Toki feels about me being sick.

jellyfish

As an add on, it was kind of nice to have Toki bark at this dude hitting on me today. He is a mama's boy

Zinja

When I was really sick, Sasuke was really calm around the house. He then jumped into bed with me and allowed me to cuddle with him. It was the first and only night he let me hold him while I slept. I felt much better the next day.

I remember when I was crying and my dogs are there to comfort me too.

When training your dog, dogs can definitely feel the tone of your voice. They know when you are frustrated or upset when they are not doing the requested behavior. Like people, dogs perform better when in a stress-free session.

As for barking at people, I teach my dogs safe words. When someone approaches my dog and I feel unsafe, they generally know when to bark; however, if they bark at someone who wants to pet them, I call them pretty or cute. Such as "can you say 'hi' to the pretty girl? "

Eevee and Mochi has growled at guys who "hollas" at my girlfriend

CarabooA

I'm definitely a believer that dogs are in tune to our feelings, how we are feeling physically and what is going on with us. A fine example (I think) are the alert dogs for medical conditions... So yeah, I for sure think Toki knows your in a more vulnerable state being ill and is "taking care" of his momma. jmho
Our dogs have really been in tune with my pregnancy...I know being pregnant is more of a hormonal thing, and I'm sure they sense that as well, but today all 3 of our dogs would NOT leave me alone, clearly seemed very worried over me and in all humble honesty I was having some mild anxiety this morning over some stuff.. Everyone, was trying to lay by me and be up in my lap but Kunai especially was walking on his hind legs around me alllll morning, he wouldn't give up for anything and I had to stop all I was doing and just hold him for a bit, which of course helped me calm and breathe deep, relax. I haven't had any anxiety this evening and he's been his perfectly "normal" ornery self, lol

Kuma123

I believe they are very very in tune with their humans. Kuma becomes very affectionate and turns into a velcro dog (which she would never do on a normal day) when my blood sugar bottoms out. I have learned that when she starts acting that way I need to get a handle on my sugar before a major problem arises. Also, she will let most people approach us in public but there are some that she blocks. Literally. She will get in between me and the person and turn her head away from them as if she is shunning them. If they continue to try to talk to us she starts herding me away LOL She must sense something. She's pretty dang amazing. She is only 10 1/2 months old but is so wise, attentive and caring.

My Schnauzer mix is very sensitive to my emotions. If I am very sad or stressed she is glued to me and is the sweetest little girl ever. She goes above and beyond to cheer me up. If I am sick in the bed she will lay there for hours with no complaints, no moving around or anything. She just snuggles as close as she can get and stays there.

My Doberman that passed away 2 years ago was incredible. Sometimes it seemed she anticipated my actions/thoughts/worries before I did LOL
I miss her every day........

tjbart17

My simple answer is it is lack of sufficient exercise.

Losech

I do think dogs can be very in-tune with their owners. All my dogs are, but I am going to agree with Tara on this one. Conker acts the exact same way if I do not give him enough exercise.

jellyfish

My second hypothesis was not enough excersize.But I cant help but feel like he Iis concerned in some fashion as well.

It probably didnt help that I fed Toki tripe so he had all this excess energy pilling up faster. Baha

_Ryan_

I would say he knows you aren't yourself.

If I am under the weather in bed I will have Suki guarding me and Bella snuggled up, even if she needs a walk!

Same thing when I take them out, if I'm uneasy they will stick close to me and get between me and the person making me uneasy.