Do dogs feel happiness? An investigation of positive emotions and happiness markers in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)

• Grant number: 22/10914-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Experimental Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Emma Otta
• Grantee: Natalia de Souza Albuquerque
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Domestic dogs show context-dependent emotional reactions (Bloom and Friedman, 2013; Caeiro et al, 2017) and are known to be good readers of human and dog emotional expressions (Albuquerque et al., 2016; 2021). However, little is known about what and how dogs feel. Assessing one's emotions is a challenging task even in humans. Nevertheless, by using different methods (behavioral, physiological, cognitive) we can analyze the same emotional state of an individual, allowing scientific based evidence. In this study, we will investigate whether family dogs show markers that can tell us about their happy emotional state and how these markers work. Subjects: 70 adult and healthy domestic dogs (various breeds), living with their owner for at least six months. Procedure: Dogs will be tested at the Institute of Psychology of the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) in two experimental sessions, two weeks apart from each other. In Session 1 (happiness markers), dogs will be observed in three conditions: (i) neutral (dog and owner in the room, owner using smartphone); (ii) positive low arousal (dog and owner engaged in petting); (iii) positive high arousal (dog and owner engaged in play). All dogs will undertake the same conditions - condition (ii) and (iii) will be randomized. During the three conditions, we will assess dogs' behavior, vocalizations and body temperature (thermographic camera). Owners will be asked to answer the PANAS questionnaire for dogs (Savalli et al., 2019). In session 2 (happiness assessment), dogs will be trained and tested in the cognitive bias test (based on Mendl et al., 2010). Phase 1 (free exploration) will provide data regarding baseline. In Phase 2 (training), dogs will be trained in a positive x negative discrimination learning task and in Phase 3 (test) dogs will be presented with a third, ambiguous option that will allow assessing whether dogs evalute the situation as positive or negative (cognitive bias test). Phase 4 (free exploration) will provide data regarding post-test. Intervals (~5min) will be put in place between phases. During the entire procedure, we will record dogs' behavior, vocalizations and body temperature. Owners will be asked to fill in a signed consent form and an use of image term in both sessions. Data Analysis: descriptive analysis and general linear mixed models (including dog as random effect) will be used to investigate patterns in behavioral and physiological responses through dogs and among conditions and assess potential markers of happiness in these animals. PANAS score and cognitive bias response will be included as fixed factors in the analysis.