The Science Behind Dogs Mirroring Our Stress
While humans and dogs may be different species, there is a fascinating bond that exists between them. It is well-known that individuals within the same species can reflect each other's emotional states, but recent research has shed light on a phenomenon that extends beyond species boundaries.
While humans and dogs may be different species, there is a fascinating bond that exists between them. It is well-known that individuals within the same species can reflect each other's emotional states, but recent research has shed light on a phenomenon that extends beyond species boundaries.
Correlation in cortisol levels between owners and dogs
Swedish researchers have measured cortisol levels in female dog owners and their dogs and found a correlation. People with high cortisol levels also have dogs with similar cortisol levels. To understand how dogs' emotional lives work, read Dogs' emotional lives - not unlike ours.
Dog's stress level reflects owner's stress
The study took into account both the human and dog personalities during the trial. It was found that the dog's personality had no significant correlation with long-term stress, unlike humans where the correlation was clear. The results suggest that it is the dog that mirrors the human's stress. The well-being of the dog owner and the matching between owner and dog may therefore influence the dog's stress levels. It is also interesting to note how Oxytocin: crucial to the dog-human relationship may play into this relationship.
Short and long term stress in dogs and owners
Previous research has focused on short-term cortisol levels in owners and dogs when they competed together in dog sports, which showed a similar increase in both. The new study found no impact of training and competing on long-term cortisol levels. However, there was a stronger correlation between the stress levels of competition dogs and their owners. According to the researchers, this could be due to the interaction required between the dog and owner during training and competition.
Need for more studies on different breeds and males
It is worth noting that the dogs used in the study were contact-seeking breeds bred for cooperation. To draw definitive conclusions, more independent dog breeds need to be included in the research. The researchers are planning a study involving hunting dogs and their owners. The study also only included female dog owners, so the upcoming study is intended to include male owners as well.
If it turns out that different dogs are affected to varying degrees by their owners' stress, informed matching could be done in the future. This means pairing the right owner with the right dog to avoid unnecessary stress in dogs. You can read more about the importance of the relationship between owners and dogs in the article Dog-human relationship - the science of the special bond between dogs and humans.
Practical insights on stress between owners and dogs
If a dog owner has been living with stress for a long time, there is a risk that the dog also shows signs of stress. This stress can manifest in various ways, and the cause is not always apparent. The dog may lick its paws, have difficulty settling down, or struggle with reactivity or fear. The dog may also become inward and quiet.
Before attempting to address the dog's problems as a dog parent, it is important to ensure one's own balance. One's own state of mind may have influenced the dog's well-being, perhaps even being the underlying cause of the dog's distress. If you want to boost your dog's confidence, read How to boost your dog's confidence.
Written by: Amanda Hestner
Amanda Hestner is a dog trainer and trained behaviorist and dog psychologist.
Approved by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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