Psych Central News
Love Your Dog? Dog-Owner Bond Similar to That of Child-Parent
According to the Humane Society, 46 percent of households in the United States have at least one dog. Dogs are so well adapted to living with humans that, in many cases, the owner assumes the role of the dog’s main social partner.
Certain aspects of the deep bond between dogs and their owners turn out to be very similar to that of young children and their parents.
During the study, the researchers found that one particular aspect of the bond between humans and dogs is something called the “secure base effect.”
This effect is found in parent-child relationships in which babies use their caregivers as a secure base so they can feel safe while interacting with their environment.
Not until recently has the “secure base effect” been investigated in dog-owner relationships.
Lisa Horn, Ph.D., from the Messerli Research Institute at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, wanted to get a closer look at the behavior of dogs and their owners. She analyzed dogs’ reactions under three different conditions: absent owner, silent owner and encouraging owner.
For the study, the dogs were given the opportunity to earn a food reward by manipulating interactive dog toys. The dogs seemed far less interested in working for food, however, when their owners were not there compared to when they were.
Interestingly, whether an owner encouraged the dog during the task or remained silent had little influence on the animal’s level of motivation.
In another experiment, the researchers replaced the owner with an unfamiliar person. The scientists found that the dogs barely interacted with the strangers and were not much more motivated in trying to earn the food reward than when this person was not present.
The dogs were far more motivated only when their owner was present. The scientists believe that the owner’s presence encourages the dog to behave in a confident manner.
The study provides the first evidence for the similarity between the “secure base effect” found in dog-owner and child-caregiver relationships. This striking connection will be further studied in direct comparative studies on dogs and children.
“One of the things that really surprised us is that adult dogs behave towards their caregivers like human children do. It will be really interesting to try to find out how this behavior evolved in the dogs with direct comparisons,” said Horn.
Source: PLoS ONE
World of Psychology
5 Ways to Improve Your Relationship Right Now!
Little tweaks also can be tremendously helpful. That’s because simple, everyday positive behaviors add up. Don’t believe us? Give these a try and you may be surprised.
Below, Julie Orlov, MSW, a psychotherapist and author of the book The Pathway to Love, shared five ways you can instantly improve your relationship.
1. Focus on what you love about your partner.
After spending years together and dealing with day-to-day stressors, couples can forget to focus on the positive. Relationships can easily become a litany of “you didn’t do this” or “stop doing that.”
That’s why Orlov suggested reminding yourself “what it was that made you fall in love with your spouse.” Focus on the qualities you appreciate. “And don’t forget to share those thoughts with your spouse.”
2. Touch your partner.
“When you have physical contact, it is harder to remain closed off, angry and disconnected.” Just touching your partner or giving them a hug can go a long way in connecting you as a couple, Orlov said.
3. Listen to your partner.
Take the time to listen to what’s important to your partner. According to Orlov, “if your spouse has something to say to you about their feelings, needs, reaction or wants, it behooves you to truly listen rather than respond with either your own opinion or defensiveness to what they said.”
That’s because once you put down your defenses and stop rehearsing your own responses in your head, you’ll be able to gain a clearer and deeper understanding of your partner, and your relationship.
4. Find the humor in a situation.
Humor heals. It provides us with perspective. “Laughter also releases a lot of stress, allowing more positive feelings to ensue,” Orlov said. Try to find the light side of a situation, and laugh together.
5. Get intimate.
“When you connect in a way that is sacred to your relationship alone, you can’t help but feel more intimate and connected,” Orlov said. Plus, the release of feel-good chemicals also enhances your love and attachment, she said.
Relationships require regular maintenance, and the above tips can help you build a healthy, meaningful bond. Often, it’s the small steps, taken every day, that can make a big, positive difference in cultivating your connection.
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