Have you ever noticed that your dog tends to look at you in certain situations, especially new ones? This behavior is called social referencing, and many dogs use this as a means to figure out their environment and seek comfort and security. So, why are dogs so good at social referencing? Here’s what to know:

What is “Social Referencing”?

Social referencing is a type of instinctive behavior that tends to start very early in life. Essentially, it means looking to someone else, especially a caregiver, to help us figure out how to feel about a specific situation or object. As we age, we learn how to figure out these situations and how to feel on our own, but many of us still use social referencing occasionally.

This behavior isn’t unique to humans, however. Dogs also engage in social referencing.
If you have a dog of your own or live with one, you may have noticed that dogs are incredibly perceptive to how you and other people feel. Dogs rely on emotional cues from people they trust around them to know how to feel about a situation.

A common example of a dog using social referencing is when they encounter a new object or a new person. Dogs will look at you or another human they trust to help them figure out if they should be cautious or relaxed. The way you react plays a big part in how your dog will react and feel about that object, person, or situation moving forward.

Why Are Dogs So Good at Social Referencing?

Dogs are so good at social referencing because they have spent thousands of years of domestication alongside us. Here is more information on the different reasons why dogs are so good at social referencing:

1. Dogs evolved alongside humans.
2. It can help them excel at specific tasks.
3. Deeper attachments and stronger bonds mean better social referencing.

1. Dogs Evolved Alongside Humans

The main reason dogs are so good at social referencing is that it’s part of their innate nature, much like why dogs are obsessed with squirrels. As dogs became domesticated over thousands of years, they learned how to read the emotions of the humans around them. Dogs became extremely perceptive to human emotions, picking up on things such as expressions, body language, and even the tone of voice.

Over time, dogs learned to use these signs to help them figure out and understand the world around them. Because dogs became dependent on humans for survival, being able to understand and communicate with humans became necessary.

2. It Can Help Them Excel at Specific Tasks

Of course, while all dogs use social referencing to help figure out their surroundings, some dogs use it more than others. This can depend on the dog’s breed as well as the dog’s personality. Certain breeds, specifically herding or hunting breeds, tend to use social referencing a lot because of a specific task they were bred to do.

3. Deeper Attachments and Stronger Bonds Mean Better Social Referencing

If you have a clingy or Velcro dog, they may engage in social referencing much more than an independent dog or one with a strong personality. Some dog behaviorists have also noticed that sex can play a role in how much a dog uses social referencing. It has been observed that female dogs tend to use this behavior more frequently than male dogs.

Remember, staying calm and reassuring in new situations can go a long way in helping your dog adjust to these situations. Of course, just because you stay calm does not guarantee that your dog will. There are many different factors that go into why a dog might react a certain way. However, staying calm can help reassure your dog, so it’s best to try just in case it helps your dog.

So, why are dogs so good at social referencing? Hopefully, this explained why and how dogs use social referencing and how it can help them adjust to their surroundings.