How Your Presence Helps Your Dog Handle Frustration
Dogs form deep bonds with humans, and their interactions with us influence their behavior in many ways. A recent study explored how human presence affects a dog's frustration levels when they encounter unexpected changes, such as not receiving an expected reward. The findings highlight how important owners are in helping their dogs cope with stress and frustration in daily life and training.
Frustration and Stress in Dogs
When dogs learn a behavior that leads to a reward and that reward is suddenly removed, they experience frustration, which resembles stress. This can lead to stress-related behaviors, such as increased movement, whining, or attempts to gain attention. Understanding how to help dogs manage these emotions is crucial for effective training and overall well-being.
The Study: Owner vs. Stranger vs. Alone
Researchers investigated whether the presence of an owner, a stranger, or no one at all influenced a dog’s response to frustration. Dogs were trained to look at a person’s face to receive a visible but unreachable food reward. During the test, the reward was removed, and researchers observed how the dogs reacted.
Key Findings
More Frustration When Alone: Dogs displayed more frustration-related behaviors when no human was present compared to when they were accompanied by an owner or a stranger.
Owners Reduce Stress Responses: The presence of the owner significantly reduced frustration behaviors during the test. Dogs with their owners were calmer and showed more persistence in looking at the experimenter, indicating they were still hopeful about the reward.
Owner vs. Stranger: Dogs gazed longer at the experimenter when their owner was present compared to when a stranger was present. This suggests that an owner’s presence not only helps reduce frustration but may also enhance performance in training situations.
Social Buffering Effect: The study supports the idea that dogs see their owners as a source of emotional support. Just as humans feel comforted by loved ones in stressful situations, dogs also benefit from the calming presence of their owners.
Why This Matters for Dog Training
These findings reinforce the importance of staying engaged and present during training sessions and other activities. Whether you are practicing a new behavior, working through frustration, or simply interacting with your dog, your presence can have a powerful calming effect. Here’s how you can apply these insights:
Stay present during training, especially when your dog is struggling with a task.
Offer reassurance and a positive presence when your dog is frustrated.
Use patience and consistency to build their confidence and reduce stress-related behaviors.
Recognize that frustration is normal and guide your dog through it with support rather than punishment.
Final Thoughts
The study highlights the unique bond between dogs and their owners and how it shapes their ability to handle stress. Your presence does more than just provide companionship—it actively helps your dog navigate frustration and challenges, leading to better learning experiences and a happier, more secure canine companion.
Article: Dzik, M. V., Jousset, M., Vietti, J., & Bentosela, M. (2025). Effects of the presence of a human on frustration in domestic dogs: Is there a social buffering phenomenon?. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 283, 106503.