I have had 2 dogs that have been very emotionally adept. A black lab I had as a child, would sit next to me when I was crying. He would also stand between people if they were yelling or getting mad, or even when they were loud and joking around. He would get very upset and we would have to calm him down.
Right now I have an Akita who will sit with you if you are depressed or sick, he won't leave your side and isn't himself until you're ok. So in my book, this is a "mood".
This is a video that struck me, I saw it some time back but I think it sums up the fact that dogs do get moody/depressed.
I have a cat that gets moody. Jealousy is often the cause.
Of course
Dogs have an emotive brain area
Dolphins and Whales have much larger emotive brain areas than humans, something we suspect might be related to mass beachings. Their sense of connection, of emotional devotion to the pod might be so strong they all beach and die if the leaders sense of direction fails, even if their own sense of direction and sonar tell them death is imminent, they cannot abandon their companions, it is unthinkable.
Just a theory based on their brains and actions.
Cephlapods have as many as 9 brains and show intelligence beyond that os chimps in some tests.
Isn't that comforting?
I do not view animal consciousness as "less than". It might seem lesser to us is the case of some animals, and some people still attribute supernatural abilities to dogs and cats. Hearing or seeing things which are not there and so forth.
I view animal mind as utterly alien, and try not to impose my presuppositions upon it, as I am largely ignorant of what data feeds into it sensorily. I can only guess how that data then affect a mind behind it.
An insect can see ultraviolet light quite often, but we are blind to that.
Your cat can hear the electricity humming in the walls, and smell the ozone of a short in that circuit long before it burns out or causes a fire. It can see the motion of a mite invisible to your eye crawling on your leg, and to your annoyance try and catch it.
Your dog might be able to detect cancer, some can.
Many animals have an emotive brain, and as such can be moody at times. They can also be hormonal, and go through developmental periods not unlike humans, "The terrible twos", "teens" and so forth.
Since we are animals, primates, and we have these things. Why is it so hard for some to see it in others?
If they are down, unless a friend of theirs, either dog or human, or whatever, is missing, they are almost certainly ill/in pain! Get there to a vet!
Pissed and happy, calm and excited... all the time. And Bella snores and talk on her sleep. And that is why I got a problem with pitbulls and other similar type, THEY CAN HAVE A BAD DAY IN THE OFFICE, LIKE US.
From my experience (well not exactly as a dog) I'd say most definitely.
I have a rescued greyhound, who while grateful to be loved and housed, will sulk when left alone, not acknowledge my presence when I return, turn her back when displeased; and yet moan and groan with contentment when happy.
I'd go so far as to say their moods are similar to that of any life partner.
I believe they do. When I'm getting ready to leave in the morning for school, my dog looks sad and mopey. When it's time for a walk or a ride in the car he is bouncing with joy.
Dogs live in the now so don't hold grudges but they are intelligent so act according to how you treat them. how would you like people coming and rubbing your head?
I remember reading a story about testing animals' intelligence where the thing that most struck the researchers was that spite was unique to humans. Humans might say 'if my reward is too small, then I'll stop all the rewards including mine'.
Animals take life more as it comes. They take what rewards are there.
Dogs are by nature social. Is it possible their apparent moodiness is a reflection of the state of others around them?
Spite and its twin-monster Revenge are human flaws. If dogs had those we would have exterminated them all already. As it is it's a large part of why we work so hard to kill each other. Dogs are so much smarter than us in many ways.
"Moody"? Does "cabin fever" count? My poor dog was bored to the point of depression stuck in the house all winter...
During the warm months she gets moody if she doesn't get to go for a walk every day. Resentful, restless, agitated. Rainy days make her old bones ache and her young heart break.
My Doberman sure did. He's get kinda nasty when he first woke up.
And pouty when I made him get out of the pool... "Guy, ya been in there for a couple hours, yer shivering"....*grumble grumble*nasty looks