Emotional Support for Dogs: How to Show You Care

We all know our four-legged friends bring us joy, love, and companionship—but what about the other way around? Just like us, dogs need emotional support to truly thrive! After all, a dog’s mental health is just as important as their physical health, as it helps them to feel safe and loved every single day.

Today, we’re going to explore the subject of dogs and their emotions, plus share a few practical tips on strengthening your bond and ensuring your dog has the happiest life possible.

Do Dogs Have Emotions?

First though, do dogs actually experience emotions? It’s a question that we hear quite often—and the answer is yes!

Dogs share the same basic brain structures and many of the same hormones as humans. This includes oxytocin, which is linked to feelings of love and bonding. A dog’s limbic system, which processes emotions, enables them to experience primary emotions like joy, fear, affection, excitement, pain, and frustration.

However, research suggests that dogs probably don’t feel complex emotions like guilt, pride, or shame—these require a level of self-awareness that dogs may not possess. So, if your dog gives you the ‘guilty’ look after chewing your shoe, they’re more likely responding to your tone or body language than feeling true guilt.

How Dogs Experience & Communicate Emotions

Dogs are emotionally intelligent and excellent at reading our moods. They can interpret facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language, and often respond with empathy.

They generally communicate their own feelings through:

• Body language—Tail wagging, ear position, posture, facial expressions.
• Vocalizations—Barking, whining, growling.
• Behavioural cues—Seeking closeness, hiding, pacing, or playful bouncing.

It’s a handy skill to be able to recognize these cues—and it’ll go a long way to understanding your pooch’s needs and building your bond together!

For a little extra support understanding your dog’s body language, check out our decoder course here!

Why Emotional Support Matters for Dogs

Providing dogs with emotional support goes beyond a mere kindness. As Dr. Marc Bekoff notes, “Dogs, like us, need to feel safe, at peace and loved. They depend on us to fill these needs, and we are obligated to do so.”

Essentially, emotional support is a must. A dog’s emotional well-being affects their physical health, strengthens our bond together, supports better training results, and generally helps dogs navigate a human-dominated world.

Every dog is different, but there are a number of signs—particularly around changes in behaviour—that can indicate your dog needs extra support. Look out for:

• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
• Withdrawal or clinginess
• Excessive barking or destructive behaviour
• Pacing, panting, whining, or paw-lifting when anxious
• Loss of interest in play or usual activities

If you notice these changes or if these signs persist, it’s important to speak to your vet to rule out any health problems and consider working with a qualified behaviourist for further support.

How to Emotionally Support Your Dog

Here are some ways to show your dog you care and ways you can help them feel emotionally secure.

1. Offer Physical Affection

Many dogs enjoy being petted or simply sitting beside you, but it’s important to respect their boundaries. Watch for signs they’re comfortable, like leaning into your touch or wagging softly. If you do notice signs, they are becoming uncomfortable with the interaction, like their ears moving back, lifting a paw or looking away, give them space.

2. Maintain a Consistent Routine

Dogs usually feel more secure when they know what to expect. Consistent routines made up of regular mealtimes, walk schedules, and bedtimes can all help to reduce anxiety and build trust.

3. Provide Physical and Mental Stimulation

Exercise keeps dogs fit, but it’s also vital for supporting emotional well-being. It’s a great idea to combine daily dog walks with brain games like puzzle feeders, scent trails, or training. Even a short play session can help boost mood and reduce stress.

4. Recognize and Address Signs of Negative Emotions

Pay attention to your dog’s body language. If they’re showing signs of discomfort or stress, such as turning their head away or avoiding eye contact, remove them from the situation and offer reassurance.

5. Create a Calm, Safe Space

Give your dog a quiet retreat where they can relax undisturbed. Using an ADAPTIL Calm diffuser in this space can be especially effective, providing gentle, pheromone-based reassurance.

6. Communicate with Empathy

Speak in a calm, reassuring tone and avoid any punishment-based training methods. Reward positive behaviour and give your dog choices where possible—this can be great for building trust and confidence.

7. Support Positive Socialization

Encourage gentle, positive interactions with other dogs and people, but never force socialization. Respect your dog’s comfort levels and introduce new experiences gradually.

Emotional Support is Ongoing

Of course, it’s important to remember that supporting your dog emotionally isn’t a one-off task. Ideally, it’s something we should all be weaving into our daily lives. When your dog feels safe and loved, they’re more likely to be happy, confident, and ready to explore the world by your side.

For more expert tips on our dogs’ emotions and well-being, keep exploring the ADAPTIL blog online. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to remain in the loop with all our latest updates!