BYU psychology professor Ross Flom states it is common knowledge that dogs are sensitive to our emotional cues. However, what the experts want to know is do they use these cues?

Flom did two experiments to test how much dogs are paying attention. He watched how dogs followed a pointing gesture to find a reward. Like earlier studies, the results showed that dogs reliably follow pointing gestures. But this study found something even more interesting when the pointing was paired with positive or negative behaviors from the owners — either smiling and speaking in a pleasant tone or frowning, a furrowed brow and speaking in a harsh tone.

Flom found that positive behavior didn't increase a dog's response time in finding the treat when compared to the control group. However, he found that negative behavior — which simulated emotions tied to being angry — decreased how quickly the dog found the treat.

This is a fascinating and surprising study but, in the end, we know one thing for certain: There is a unique and special bond between humans and dogs and whether they do what we ask fast or slow, we know poor pups do whatever we ask simply because they know it will please us!

To read more and watch a wonderful video published by the journal Animal Cognition on this same topic, please go to Mother Nature Network.