Have you ever walked up on your dog wearing a hat and she seemed to panic like she did not recognize you? Frightened dogs can start to bark furiously and seem like they cannot be reasoned with. It can be a scary experience for you both. We humans surmise that our dogs are not able to recognize us when we have head gear on, but have you thought about why? It seems crazy. Our dogs know us. They know our smell and our voice. Those factors are not different when we put on a hat, yet they seem as though they do not know us at all. There is some science to suggest why this could be.
A study in 2014 observed gray wolves and the way they look at each other. The researchers compared facial color pattern and gazing behavior to try to estimate how much canines depend on the specific facial patterns for identification. In the groups where the facial features were defined as “unclear”, the length of gaze was shorter, almost as though they did not recognize each other distinctly. The groups with distinctive facial features had the longest gaze length, presumably because it was easier for them to be identified and recognized as known and familiar individuals. These findings suggest that canines depend on distinct facial features (especially around the eyes) for identification and communication.1
Since we are not dogs, it is hard to imagine what it is like to be nonverbal. Dogs use body language to communicate. We know that dogs are very tuned in to scent and body language for many things, but did you know that your dog actually counts on your facial expression and features to know who you are? Your own dog knows your distinct face and eyes. When you have a hat on, your face is shaded and partially obscured, so even with all the other clues to your identity, like your voice and your scent, your dog is confused when your face is different.
I know a lot about dogs and my own dog does not like anyone to wear a hat. I had never really thought about why she panics over this. I found it very interesting that science supports that my face and eyes really are her window to my soul!
Does your dog do weird things? We might have a post about it! Find me on Facebook by clicking here.
- A comparison of facial color pattern and gazing behavior in canid species suggests gaze communication in gray wolves (Canis lupus).PLoS One. 2014 Jun 11;9(2):e98217. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098217. eCollection 2014. Ueda S, Kumagai G, Otaki Y, Yamaguchi S Kohshima S
