Don’t Worry Human, Science Says Your Dog Loves You… Lots

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

The way pooches spread the love to anyone and everyone at the dog park, it can sometimes seem like our dogs don’t discriminate in their affections; but don’t despair, dear human: scientists say your dog still loves you the most.

Do dogs love people even more than other members of their own species?

That’s the question that Dr. Gregory Berns of Emory University set out to answer with his latest study.

Trust us; it’s not as easy as it sounds. Can you imagine getting a dog to stay still inside an fMRI machine so you can scan its brain responses to different scents? Thankfully, Dr. Berns had done this type of brain imaging study before and had a group of well-trained pooches he could use to help investigate the canine-human bond.

So, just how do you figure out, scientifically, who your dog loves more?

Related:Study Shows Jealousy In Dogs Is Real

The Experiment

Since a dog’s most dominant sense is smell, this is what Dr. Berns and his colleagues focused on.

They used three dog-related scents, one from the dog himself, one from a dog who lived in the same household and one from an unfamiliar dog. They also used two human scents; one from a person the dog was familiar with (like a child or spouse from their human family) and one from a person they didn’t know.

The researchers also paid attention to two special areas in the dog’s brain: the olfactory bulb and the caudate nucleus (yeah, we’re getting all science-y on you — don’t worry, we promise it won’t be that bad!).

The olfactory bulb is the part of the brain that manages scent, while the caudate nucleus is triggered by rewards like food and social interactions; you might call this the “feel good center” of the brain.

Related:Your Dog is Smarter Than You Think

The Results

Dr. Berns and co. found that in terms of the olfactory bulb, there wasn’t a big difference in the way the pooches responded to humans or other dogs. However, they also found an area close by the olfactory bulb, in the cortex, that showed greater activity when presented with a familiar scent. This whole area appears to respond more fervently when the scent is that of another dog. That said, this part of the brain has never been shown to be tied to emotion or feelings, so the increased response likely has more to do with recognizing and identifying the scent of a fellow pooch.

And what about the caudate nucleus, the “feel good center” of the dog’s brain? Well, it paws-itively lit up when the pooches smelled a familiar human. In fact, the caudate nucleus saw more activity when presented with the familiar human scent than any of the other smells. Dr. Berns says this indicates that not only did the dogs recognize the scent of their human, but they likely also have affection for that person, along with the anticipation that spending time with them will be both pleasant and rewarding.

Nature or Nurture?

Does this mean that dogs are now evolutionarily predisposed to caring for all humans over all other dogs? Probably not, says Bern.

Since the dogs showed a diminished response to the scent of the unfamiliar human and a massive response to the scent of the person they knew, we can conclude that affection between dogs and their owners likely comes about because of the way they dog is raised. If it’s a loving and nurturing environment, the dogs will associate the scent of their human(s) with the good things in life, and the “feel good center” of their brain will light up in response.

[Source: Psychology Today]

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Keagle

The Keagle is a cross between a purebred Beagle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This super cute pooch will win you over in no time at all.

7 Natural Essential Oils For Dogs

Looking for natural treatments? ! It''s not new-age nonsense or aromatherapy - essential oils for dogs offer a variety of health benefits when used properly.

3 Common Cat Training Mistakes

When it comes to training cats, you might not be sure where to begin. They aren’t like dogs, and they can be quite stubborn.

Best Dog Feeding Mats

Dog feeding mats are ideal for messy eaters as they''ll keep the mess away from your kitchen floors. Find our which give best value for money!

Tips For Travelling With Your Dog Over The Christmas Holidays

‘Tis the season for travelling, as we gear up to hit the winter roads for some festive visiting. If you’re bringing your dog along with you on th…

British Longhair

The British Longhair is a mix of British Shorthair and Persian, offering the unique coat features of a Persian and the temperament of a British Shorthair.

‘Unadoptable’ Cat Shares Special Bond With New Furever Family

There is a someone for everyone, and that''s no better proven with the story of a special-needs cat and a little girl with whom he shares a special bond.

DIY No-Sew Pet Bed

Budget-friendly and easy to make, this DIY dog bed won''t cost you more than $15 and you can make it under and hour. Plus, your pet will absolutely love it!

Top 17 St. Patrick’s Day Gifts For Dogs

Looking to shower your pup with the love o'' the Irish? Look no further than these top 17 St. Patrick''s Day gifts for dogs!

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Gracie

Let’s give it up for Gracie, our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Gracie is a 10-year-old Labrador Retriever from SC. Here’s…

Outdoor And Indoor Plants: Poisonous Plants For Dogs

How does your garden grow? Does it contain poisonous plants for dogs? Some of the most commonly kept houseplants are incredibly toxic to dogs.

York Chocolate

York Chocolate cats are even-tempered, friendly, intelligent, curious, and energetic. They get along great with other pets and with children of all ages.

Dartfish

Dartfish are a family of small, colorful saltwater fish. They are similar in appearance to gobies and are characterized by their long, eel-like bodies.

Tame Your Cat’s Hairballs With Wellness Natural Hairball Control For

Hairballs aren''t welcome in any home - or in your cat''s stomach. Keep them under control with Wellness'' new Natural Hairball Control dry cat recipe.

What is a Holistic Veterinarian?

Illness in pets can sometimes be linked to both physical and mental causes - a holistic veterinarian looks at both in order to determine treatment.