How your job stress could be stressing out your dog?
According to science, If you’re bringing work stress home, you might not be the only one feeling the effects. According to a new study published in Scientific Reports, your dog could be picking up on your stress and showing signs of anxiety — all because you’re mentally stuck at work.
The study, led by researchers Tanya Mitropoulos and Allison Andrukonis, explored the connection between work-related rumination — the habit of thinking about work problems during personal time — and canine stress. Their findings revealed a clear link: the more owners ruminated about work, the more stress behaviors their dogs displayed.
What Is Work-Related Rumination — and Why Does It Affect Dogs?
Work-related rumination happens when your mind stays on the job long after you’ve clocked out. It’s that loop of worrying about deadlines, replaying meetings, or planning tomorrow’s tasks while you’re supposed to be relaxing.
This mental habit doesn’t just affect your own well-being — it can create stress in your home environment, especially for your dog, who is highly attuned to your mood, tone, and behavior.
In the study of 85 working dog owners, researchers tracked how often individuals thought about work during their free time. They then compared that with both owner-reported stress in their dogs and real-time behaviors known to indicate stress in canines, such as:
- Pacing
- Whining or barking
- Restlessness
- Withdrawal or neediness
The results were clear: owners who frequently dwelled on work had dogs who showed more frequent and obvious signs of stress — even if the owners themselves didn’t fully notice.
The Science Behind Emotional Contagion in Dogs
Dogs are social, emotionally intuitive animals. Researchers refer to this as emotional contagion — the ability to pick up on and mirror the emotional states of their humans. Your posture, voice, and daily routines all send cues to your dog about how you’re feeling.
When you’re distracted, short-tempered, or unusually withdrawn because of job stress, your dog notices. Over time, this can impact their emotional state and behavior.
Why Routines Matter (and What Happens When They Break)
Another factor in the stress connection may be disruption in care routines. When we’re mentally stuck at work, we may unintentionally shorten walks, skip playtime, or forget regular feeding schedules. This shift in attention or consistency can lead to confusion or anxiety in dogs — especially those who rely on structure to feel secure.
What This Means for Pet Parents
This study is an important reminder that how we manage stress impacts the well-being of our pets. Most dog owners view their pets as family members — and just like children or partners, our dogs absorb our emotional energy.
Here’s what you can do:
- Create mental boundaries between work and home
- Stay consistent with your dog’s routine, no matter how hectic your day was
- Stay present during time with your dog — walks, play, or quiet time
- Unplug when you’re home to recharge both yourself and your pet
As the researchers put it, “Employed dog owners might benefit from avoiding work-related ruminations when at home to protect the well-being of man’s best friend.”
Your dog isn’t just watching — they’re feeling with you.
By leaving work at the door, you’re not just caring for your own mental health.
You’re giving your dog the emotional stability they need to thrive.
