Color plays an important role for humans, impacting everything from mood to productivity. But what about for our canine companions? Do colors affect dogs in the same ways they affect humans? Let’s take a look at how different colors impact dogs.
How dogs see color
Before diving into how colors affect dogs, it’s helpful to understand what the world looks like through a dog’s eyes. Dogs do perceive color, but not in the same way humans do. Humans have three types of color receptors, which allows us to see the full spectrum of color. Dogs, on the other hand, only have two types of color receptors. This means they see far fewer colors than humans do.
Dogs see the world in shades of blue, yellow, and gray. This limited color vision is similar to a human who is red-green color blind. So while dogs can distinguish between blue, yellow, and gray, other colors may appear more dull or washed out.
There’s also evidence that dogs see flickering light at a higher frequency than humans do. So motion and moving objects likely stand out more to dogs. This is important to keep in mind when considering how colors and visual stimulation affect them.
Color meanings for dogs
Now that we understand dogs’ visual capabilities, how do different colors impact them? Here’s an overview of what some colors represent to dogs:
- Red: Dogs can distinguish red from other colors. Red is thought to get dogs visually stimulated and excited. It’s frequently used for dog toys.
- Blue: Like humans, dogs may perceive blue as a calming, soothing color. It’s sometimes used in crates and shelters to help relax anxious dogs.
- Yellow & orange: Bright and bold like red, these colors also grab dogs’ attention. They’re also used frequently in toys and play objects.
- Green: Green objects blend into grass and nature for dogs. This color likely doesn’t make much impression.
- Purple: On the dog visual spectrum, purple likely appears a shade of blue. So it may have a calming effect.
- Black: Dogs can clearly distinguish the contrast of black against other colors. Black animals or objects stand out in their vision.
It’s important to note that these color associations aren’t universally proven. But dog owners and trainers have noticed these trends anecdotally over time. Of course, each dog has their own personality and preferences too!
How colors impact dog behavior
Different colors don’t just look different to dogs – they can also impact behavior. Here are some of the effects colors have been observed to have on dogs:
- Red: Stimulates play and attention. Dogs quickly notice red objects, making it useful for engagement in training.
- Blue: Has a calming effect. Soothes anxious or nervous dogs.
- Yellow & Orange: Energizes and grabs interest like red, but slightly less intense.
- Green: Blends into natural backgrounds like grass. Unlikely to trigger a reaction.
- Purple: Also thought to have calming properties like blue.
- Black: Creates high visual contrast. May startle more anxious dogs.
There isn’t a huge amount of research in this area yet. But dog trainers and behaviorists have noticed these trends. That’s why colors like blue and purple are often recommended to help relax dogs.
Using color for dog training
Because different colors affect dogs’ behavior, strategically using color can be helpful for dog training. Here are some ways to incorporate color when training dogs:
- Use red toys or objects to stimulate play and keep your dog engaged.
- Try using a blue or purple mat, crate pad, or blanket when crating your dog or having them settle down.
- Incorporate bright yellow or orange toys as rewards for training sessions.
- Avoid overwhelmingly black environments, obstacles courses, etc for anxious or fearful dogs.
- Consider blue or purple leashes, collars, shirts, etc to calm excitable dogs in public.
You can also use color preferences to your advantage when training dogs. For example, if your dog loves chasing red balls, only use red balls for playing fetch – not as training rewards. This builds a strong association. Or if your dog finds black floors or mats scary, avoid those during training.
While more research is still needed, purposefully choosing colors can optimize training as you observe what motivates and relaxes your unique dog.
Considering other senses
It’s important to remember dogs don’t just rely on sight – their other senses matter too when responding to color cues. Some examples:
- A bright red toy may first grab your dog’s visual attention. But scent and texture keep them engaged during play.
- A purple mat may look calming, but crinkling or plastic sounds could cancel out relaxing effects.
- Your black jacket may contrast strongly visually. But your familiar smell provides comfort and reassurance.
That means when picking colored objects for training or behavior modification, be sure to consider all the factors your dog will experience. Look at textures, sounds, and scents too for the full picture.
Impact on dog aggression
Some research has looked specifically into how color affects dog aggression. One study found that dogs react more aggressively to objects that are red and yellow. When showed black and multicolored objects, dogs had milder reactions.
This aligns with the idea that bold, stimulating colors like red and yellow heighten dogs’ emotional responses. Black doesn’t stand out as much visually, and multicolored objects appear less threatening.
So using red objects could overstimulate dogs prone to aggression. Sticking to cooler colors may help maintain calmer emotional states.
However, this is still an emerging area of research. As with other behavioral impacts, individual dogs will react differently based on their personality and past experiences too.
Breed differences
Do certain dog breeds see and react to color differently? There are a few potential factors:
- Grayscale vision: Some dog breeds like Siberian Huskies are thought to see mostly grayscale shades rather than color. For these dogs, color has less of an impact.
- Coat color: Dogs with black coats seem to react more calmly to black objects since it camouflages with their body. Dogs with light coats may find darker colors more pronounced and stimulating.
- Instincts: Sighthounds like Greyhounds rely heavily on vision for hunting. Bold colors likely have a stronger impact on their focus and behavior compared to scent-driven dogs.
However, generalizations about color perception among breeds isn’t well-studied. Individual variation between dogs likely outweighs broad breed trends when it comes to color.
Impact on dog health
Colors don’t just impact dogs’ behavior – some may also affect dog health and wellbeing. Here are a couple factors to be aware of:
- Anxiety: As mentioned earlier, calming colors like blue and purple can help relax anxious dogs. Overly stimulating colors like red or contrasting black and white can worsen stress.
- Aggression: Aggressive dogs are often over-aroused by colors like red and yellow. Avoiding these hues can support treatment.
- Seizures: Flickering light or contrasts at certain frequencies can trigger seizures in dogs with epilepsy. Monitoring color use helps prevent episodes.
As with behavior, health impacts are dependent on each individual dog. But being mindful of color choices in the home and for training can support wellbeing, especially for dogs with existing conditions.
Conclusion
Colors may not be as vibrant in dogs’ eyes, but they do impact canine behavior, training, and health in noticeable ways. Warmer, bolder colors like red, orange, and yellow stimulate and excite dogs. Cooler shades like blue and purple have more calming properties. Black and multicolor patterns are less likely to trigger strong reactions.
There’s still research to be done in this emerging area. But paying attention to how your individual dog responds to color can help improve their quality of life. Strategic use of color is a simple way to enhance engagement, relaxation, and communication between you and your furry friend.
