What makes the dog-human bond so powerful? In a word, reciprocity. Japanese researchers Nagasawa, Kikusui, Onaka, and Ohta found that dogs and humans have a give-and-take relationship so powerful that its controlled by the very same hormone—oxytocin—that binds mothers and infants, reduces anxiety and depression, and builds trust and intimacy.1 Scientists speculate that oxytocin played a role in the domestication of dogs, leading us to share many of the same social signals we use with our own children. Were actually biologically programmed to love each other! References 1 Nagasawa M, Kikusui T, Onaka T, Ohta M. Dogs gaze at its owner increases owners urinary oxytocin during social interaction. Hormones and Behavior. 2009;55:434-441.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 09:22:34 +0000