Americans Confess – Wags Speak Louder Than Words
The results of the Wags, Not Words survey of companion animal owners found that the majority of U.S. dog owners believe they can communicate with their dogs; 74% say they can understand their dog’s body language or facial expressions, while 70% say they have “shared a look” with their dog more than once.
The majority of people in the U.S. believe they share a deep bond with their dogs. Almost half (49%) say they know what their companion animal is thinking, while more than a third (34%) believe they’ve had an entire “conversation” with their dog without saying a word. Moreover, 41% of dog parents say their dog is more likely to notice they’ve had a bad day than their best human friend is, while 69% think their dogs know when they are happy.
Most dog owners take comfort in knowing their dogs can sense their emotions, including happiness (69%), anger (67%), and sadness (58%). Almost two-thirds (62%) consider the bond with their dog to be more dependable than the bond between them and their best human friends. Also, two-thirds admit to feeling guilty about leaving their dogs behind when they’re out of town, 72% prefer to relieve anxiety by taking a walk with their dog over a close human companion, and 89% say their dogs are more excited to greet them when they come home than their significant others.