Dogs View Humans as Family
Dogs form a strong attachment and bond with their human owners that is similar to the relationships in a family pack. According to a study from the Messerli Research Institute, dogs relate to their caregivers much like human children bond with their parents (1). Just as young children feel safest with their parents, dogs see their human owners as a source of protection and security.
This bond manifests itself in how dogs react when their owners leave. Dogs often exhibit signs of separation anxiety such as barking, destruction, and elimination issues when left alone. Their strong attachment makes it stressful for dogs when they are separated from a member of their pack. However, this also demonstrates the depth of loyalty and affection dogs feel towards their humans (2).
While dogs may not conceptualize family and relationships the same way humans do, the evidence indicates that dogs view their owners as family. The intimacy of the human-canine bond reflects how dogs have come to see their human pack as a cherished part of their social structure.
(1) https://www.iflscience.com/do-dogs-see-us-as-masters-or-parents-66797
(2) https://www.quora.com/Do-dogs-think-we-are-family-Do-dogs-think-humans-are-their-parents
Dogs Have Love for Humans
Dogs are capable of feeling love and forming emotional bonds with humans. Research has shown that when dogs interact with their human owners, the “love hormone” oxytocin is released in both the dog and the human. This hormone promotes attachment and bonding between individuals (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/can-our-dogs-really-love-us/).
One study looked at levels of the hormone oxytocin in dogs before and after interacting with their owners. The researchers found that oxytocin levels increased in both the dogs and their owners after positive interactions like petting. This shows that dogs experience similar emotional bonding with humans as humans do with each other (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/16/do-our-pets-ever-really-love-us-or-do-they-just-stick-around-for-the-food).
The ability of dogs to bond emotionally with humans likely evolved as they became domesticated. Experts think this helped dogs remain attached to their human caretakers.
Dogs Feel Loyalty Towards Humans
Dogs are known for their strong loyalty and devotion to their human families. This loyalty likely stems from the fact that dogs depend on their owners for food, shelter, and affection. Over thousands of years of domestication, dogs have evolved to become attuned to human emotions and form strong bonds with people.
Dogs will often demonstrate protective behaviors towards the people they feel loyal to. They may growl at or even attack strangers who approach or threaten their family members. According to the ASPCA, some loyal dogs will put themselves in harm’s way to defend a human from attack.
Research indicates that when dogs gaze at their owners, their brains release oxytocin, the “love hormone” involved in bonding. This reinforces their connection to their family. As Purina notes, a dog’s loyalty “revolved around the benefits of teamwork…and the success of the pack.” Dogs seek the protection and community of their human families.
Selective breeding over centuries has likely played a role in enhancing dogs’ tendency towards loyalty. Breeders have favored dogs who display obedience and protective instincts towards their owners. As a result, Subhadra Mitra Channa writes that most dogs today feel a strong desire to faithfully serve and defend their human families.
While individual personalities vary, most dogs feel a powerful sense of devotion to the people they depend upon. Their loyalty manifests through their desire to please owners, receive affection, and even risk harm to protect their loved ones.
Dogs Depend on Humans
One of the key aspects of the relationship between dogs and humans is the level of dependency dogs have developed towards people. Domesticated dogs rely on humans to provide all of their basic needs including food, water, shelter, and general care. According to a review published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, “From the time a puppy is brought into a human household it is completely dependent on human caretakers for all of its needs” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2251326/).
Dogs have a strong desire to please their human caregivers and aim to follow commands and directives. The human-canine bond has developed in a way that dogs are highly motivated to obey their owners (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93canine_bond). This obedience stems from the care, resources, and affection humans provide them. Overall, dogs have adapted to rely heavily on human provision and direction in order to survive and thrive.
Dogs Feel Happiness with Humans
Dogs exhibit clear signs of happiness and excitement when they are with their human owners. A dog’s tail wagging, jumping up, licking, and excited pacing are all indicators that they are feeling joyful to be with their person (https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/which-emotions-do-dogs-actually-experience/32883). Dogs have evolved to view their human caretakers as part of their family and social group. Being reunited with a beloved owner triggers the same kind of happiness and contentment humans feel when reunited with close friends or family members.
On a biological level, dogs experience surges in dopamine and serotonin when they interact positively with humans. These are the same chemicals humans release when we feel happy and content. A dog’s brain is wired to associate the presence of their owner with joy, safety, and fulfillment. Studies show that dogs that have bonded closely with their owners actually suffer symptoms of separation anxiety and depression when left alone for long periods of time (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jul/16/do-our-pets-ever-really-love-us-or-do-they-just-stick-around-for-the-food). This proves that dogs form powerful emotional attachments with their humans that go far beyond a base need for food or shelter.
Overall, a dog’s happiness at seeing their beloved human return home is a genuine emotional response. Their excitement and affection demonstrates the strength of the bond between dog and human that forms the basis of a loving relationship.
Humans Provide Security for Dogs
Dogs often feel safe and secure with their human owners. This is because dogs have evolved to view humans as their “pack leaders” who will provide protection and meet their needs (https://www.quora.com/Do-dogs-think-we%E2%80%99re-protecting-them-or-they%E2%80%99re-protecting-us). When properly cared for by humans, dogs do not have to worry about finding food, water, or shelter on their own. They know their human will provide these essentials for them.
As social animals, dogs also look to their human families for security in unfamiliar or frightening situations. They will seek out their owner for comfort and reassurance when something alarms them. This demonstrates the trust and dependence dogs have on their humans (https://www.iflscience.com/do-dogs-see-us-as-masters-or-parents-66797).
Overall, the human-canine bond leads dogs to rely on their owners for safety and protection. They trust that their human will take care of their needs and keep them secure. This allows dogs to feel relaxed and happy living as part of a human family.
Dogs Have Empathy for Humans
Dogs are remarkably capable of sensing human emotions. Studies have shown that dogs can pick up on emotional cues from both other dogs and humans. For example, research from the University of Milan found that dogs can distinguish between a human’s happy and angry faces (https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/does_your_dog_have_empathy_for_you).
When a human companion is sad or distressed, dogs often respond with comforting behaviors. Dogs may nuzzle or lick their human in an apparent effort to uplift them. There are many reports of dogs fetching items to “help” their humans or simply staying close by them during difficult times (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201206/canine-empathy-your-dog-really-does-care-if-you-are-unhappy).
Because of their empathetic capabilities, dogs are often used as emotional support animals. Their presence can have therapeutic effects and help people cope with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.
Dogs Get Jealous of Other Humans
It’s quite common for dogs to display jealous behaviors when their owner gives attention to others instead of them. Dogs tend to see their owners as a valuable resource that provides food, shelter, and affection. When another person or animal appears to be taking away the owner’s attention, some dogs will act out in an attempt to get the focus back on themselves.
Some common jealous behaviors include whining, barking, pawing at the owner, nudging their way in-between the owner and the other recipient of attention, or simply acting in an attention-seeking manner. More pushy behaviors can include nipping, jumping up, or aggressively barking. The intensity of the jealous behavior often depends on the individual dog and its bond with the owner.
Research has shown that dogs are capable of complex emotions like jealousy, and their behavior stems from feeling anxious or threatened about losing access to their owner’s affection and resources. With positive training methods, most dogs can learn to better cope with jealousy and share attention in a healthier manner. But understanding a dog’s perspective can help owners have empathy for jealous behaviors and accommodate the dog’s instinct to create a strong bond.
Sources:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/do-dogs-get-jealous
https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/comments/5gby56/dog_gets_jealous_if_we_pet_other_dogs/
Humans Shape Dog Behavior
A dog’s behavior and temperament can be significantly shaped by humans through training and environmental factors. According to research, dogs have evolved to read human gestures and cues as a result of domestication, allowing humans to modify their behavior through conditioning techniques (Bhattacharjee, 2019).
Poor treatment, neglect, or abuse from humans can negatively impact a dog’s behavior and lead to fear, anxiety or aggression. Studies show that dogs subjected to harsh training methods are more likely to develop problem behaviors compared to dogs trained using reward-based methods (Howell et al., 2015).
Positive reinforcement training utilizes rewards to strengthen desired behaviors in dogs. Techniques like capturing, shaping, and luring can successfully teach dogs new skills and behaviors. For example, shaping breaks down complex tasks into smaller achievable steps, allowing the dog to progressively learn the behavior (AKC, 2022). This positive approach focuses on building trust and communication between dog and handler.
Ultimately, human interaction plays a critical role in influencing dog behavior. While poor treatment can lead to issues like aggression, humane training and socialization can help dogs become well-adjusted companions.
Sources:
Bhattacharjee, D. (2019). How humans shape dog behaviour in urban habitats. https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.07113
AKC. (2022). Shaping: A Fun Way to Build New Behaviors in Dog Training. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/training-tips-shaping/
The Human-Dog Bond
The relationship between humans and dogs is quite unique. Dogs share a special cross-species bond with humans that has been fostered over thousands of years of domestication. This close relationship benefits both dogs and their human companions, both physically and mentally.
Over time, dogs and humans have evolved together in a symbiotic relationship. As humans began to settle and develop agriculture, dogs proved useful for guarding, herding, and hunting. Humans provided dogs with food, shelter, and affection. In return, dogs gave humans companionship, work assistance, and security. This reciprocal arrangement strengthened the human-canine bond.
Today, the human-dog connection remains strong. Studies show that dog ownership can lower stress, increase exercise, and improve moods for their human caretakers. The social support of a loyal canine companion has measurable effects on human cardiovascular health. Dogs also benefit from the relationship, as their survival depends on human care and they crave human affection.
The deep social bond between humans and dogs is exceptional in the animal kingdom. Their interdependent partnership has ancient origins, and modern science continues to reveal its physical and psychological benefits. This enduring attachment is a testament to the loving loyalty at the heart of the human-canine relationship.