What Does the Left Side of a Canine's Brain Control?

Positive Feelings

• In humans a pleasant disposition has been associated with the left side of the brain; the same seems to prove true for members of the canine family. A study conducted by Italian scientists has shown that dogs will wag their tails more to the right if they are happy or have pleasant associations with a person or situation confronting them while the tails will be held more to the left when the situation or feelings are more negative.

Sound Associations

• Italian researchers have also determined that the left hemisphere of the canine brain is more apt to process pleasant sounds such as the dog's master's voice. The same study has shown that negative sounds such as those associated with thunderstorms or threatening situations are usually processed by the right hemisphere. The sounds of other dogs are usually processed by the left hemisphere, but if the vocalizations seems threatening or evoke a strong emotion such as fear, they are more likely to be processed by the right side of the brain.
  (Source 2)

Dominant Paw

• Other studies by scientists at the University of Trieste show that dogs tend to favor one paw over another. Male dogs are more apt to be left-pawed while females tend to be right-pawed. However, when dogs are given a Kong toy with food or have a blanket placed over their heads, they are more apt to use their right paws regardless of their sex. Some dogs have shown themselves to be ambidextrous in all situations.

Approach-Retreat Response

• Other Italian scientists have used research to show that dogs tend to use the left side of their brains more when they approach an object or situation that is pleasant or familiar. Dogs will process information with the right side of their brains in situations that call for a retreat.