Can dogs smell fear?

We've all heard the saying "dogs can smell fear", there is some truth to this but it's a little more detailed than that.

They don't literally 'smell fear', but as they are highly perceptive animals they DO detect changes in human body odour and behaviour that are associated with fear or anxiety that humans exhibit when they are afraid or stressed.

When a person experiences fear or anxiety, our body goes through physiological changes. These changes can include an increase in heart rate, changes in breathing patterns, perspiration, and the release of certain chemicals and hormones like Cortisol.

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and they are capable of detecting and distinguishing a wide range of odours, including those produced by human bodies.

Research suggests that dogs can indeed detect and respond to the odor changes associated with fear or anxiety in humans. They may pick up on the scent of cortisol or other chemicals released during stressful situations.

It's important to note that dogs don't see fear or anxiety in the same way as we do. They'll respond to these signals by displaying behaviours such as becoming more alert, acting protective, or showing signs of submission.

That being said, I would say that dogs don't fully understand human emotions like fear, they simply respond to the cues they smell or see from us.