Introduction
Such behavior leads us to believe that dog sensed something bad, or off, about the person whom which they acted negatively to. Is there any truth in the theory that dogs can indeed sense "bad" people? Turns out, there is quite a bit of research and truth in these sentiments!
Signs of a Dog Sensing Bad People
On the other hand, if your dog doesn't like the person, their reaction to them will be significantly different. Your dog may show signs they are fearful by cowering away from the person, hiding behind your legs, dropping their tail between their legs, dropping their ears, or they may even try and walk or run away from the person.
Depending on your dog, they may also show some signs of aggression as well. Your dog may bark angerly, growl, show their teeth, lunge at the person, or even snap! If you have a dog that is a protector, they may also try and guard you against the "bad" person they are sensing or pace around you with agitation.
Body Language
- Growling
- Barking
- Ears drop
- Pacing
- Tense jaw
- Biting
- Tail tucking
- Exposed teeth
Other Signs
These are some other signs you may notice if your dog senses a bad person:
- Trying to Distance Themselves
- Acting Fearful or Agitated
- Behaving Differently than Normal
- Lunging
History of Dogs Sensing Bad People
However, it is believed by some that dogs can sense negative people and energies on an even more intense level. This is because dogs are able to trust their gut-feelings and emotions without overthinking or trying to deny them, where humans generally go through that process. These feelings and emotions are often described as a sixth sense. A sixth sense is the ability to infer what the true nature of a situation or a person really is. This is why many dogs react to negative and bad people so quickly.
For centuries, dogs and many other animals have survived based on their instincts. In the wild, dogs would have to react quickly to certain situations, many times negative, in aggressive and assertive ways in order to protect themselves from danger. Domesticated dogs have kept this trait as they evolved and still heavily rely on these special instincts to protect themselves and their owners.
It is very common to hear stories from dog owners about their dog sensing someone with negative energy or bad intentions. For example, dogs who are generally very friendly, never bark at people, or are always happy to great new people will cower away or act in an aggressive manner when meeting a new person they deem as "bad."
Science Behind Dogs Sensing Bad People
For instance, if someone is about to do something bad, adrenaline increases and, in turn, makes the person sweat much more than normal. Since dogs have a very keen sense of smell, they are able to pick up on these scents and changes within a few seconds and react to them. The dog's instincts kick into gear and they become more alert and aware of what is around them. If they are sensing something out of the ordinary, either fear or protection/aggression will manifest in their actions and demeanor.
Training Dogs to Sense Bad People
Like we talked about previously, many dogs will show dominance or aggression when they experience a negative person with bad energy. They are likely doing this in order to protect you, but it is important to make sure your dog is not inclined to attack the person unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, your dog may bark, growl, show their teeth, or even lunge at the person. This is a scary reaction for you, as the owner, to deal with and can cause the people around you to become fearful as well.
To control your dog's behavior, you can teach your dog that they are safe with you by remaining calm and relaxed, removing them from the situation, and using commands like "leave it," "stay," and "sit." This will keep your dog calm, focused on you, and allow them to focus more on their commands than the person they dislike.
Once you remove your dog from the bad person, replace your dog's negative emotions with something fun and happy. You do not want them holding on to their aggressive or fearful emotions. This will help train your dog to realize they are safe with you in all situations.
How To React If Your Dog Senses Bad People
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Replace their negative feelings with something positive.
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Take them away from the person who is bad.
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Always remain calm, but firm.
Safety Tips for When Your Dog Senses Bad People
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Remain calm and even in your temper and tone.
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Don't let your dog lunge or bite at the person.
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Don't encourage aggressive behavior.