Dogs can sense hormonal changes and pheromones. In many cases, this explains why our dog behaves differently, even if we don’t immediately recognize the reason. Over time, we may realize that our energy, mood, or hormonal state has changed, and our dog has simply picked up on it. They also perceive energy shifts, which is why developing conscious presence is essential.

Some dogs are particularly sensitive to changes. If your dog isn’t paying attention to you, take a look at your environment and yourself. Conscious presence is key. Signs such as excessive sensitivity, insecurity, or emotional fluctuations can indicate that your dog is reacting to these shifts.

Dogs have an incredibly refined sense of smell and can detect the pheromones released by humans. Pheromones are chemical signals secreted by the body that can influence the behavior or emotional state of other living beings.

How Do Dogs Perceive Human Pheromones?

A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than that of humans. They also possess a specialized organ known as the Jacobson’s organ (vomeronasal organ), located between the nose and the palate, which is specifically designed to detect pheromones. This organ is highly effective in perceiving chemical signals.

What Human Pheromones Can Dogs Detect?

            1.         Stress and Fear

            •           Humans release cortisol and other hormones in stressful situations, which dogs can immediately detect. This is why they can sense when we are nervous or afraid.

            2.         Happiness and Calmness

            •           Hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins can also be released in pheromone form, explaining why dogs can feel more relaxed around certain people.

            3.         Illness and Hormonal Changes

            •           Dogs can detect certain diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, or epilepsy, because these conditions alter the scent and pheromones emitted by the human body.

            •           They can also sense hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy or menstruation) since these influence the chemical composition of sweat and other bodily fluids.

            4.         Individual Scent and Bonding

            •           Dogs differentiate people based on their unique scent. Human pheromones carry information about a person’s gender, age, health status, and emotions.

Some dogs respond soothingly when they sense that their owner is stressed or anxious, while others may keep their distance if they pick up on nervous or illness-related pheromones. Therapy and service dogs are specifically trained to react to these scents and assist their owners (e.g., by detecting an impending diabetic episode or helping during a panic attack).

Can Pheromones Be Used to Influence a Dog’s Behavior?

Yes, pheromones are used in veterinary medicine and dog training. For example, Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) is a synthetic pheromone that mimics the calming pheromone released by mother dogs. It is often used to reduce stress, such as during travel or in a new environment.

In summary, dogs are highly sensitive to the pheromones emitted by humans and can “read” our emotional states, health, and other physiological changes. This is why developing conscious presence and understanding our dog’s responses is crucial. If you’re interested in solutions, feel free to contact us!