The role of emotions in animals is a source of controversy and discussion. Emotions that are attributed to dogs include any emotion that we humans experience. For a long time, we have assumed that dogs were not capable of thought complex enough to be defined as emotion, until now.
The only scientific way we can quantify emotion is by defining and measuring the changes in the brain when an emotion is felt. Scientists have developed studies to define and measure certain hormones. When they paired their measurements with questionnaires for human subjects, specific compounds seem to reliably equate with feelings of love and joy.
One of these “love chemicals” is called oxytocin. Oxytocin was originally thought to be a hormone that hastened maternal bonding upon the birth of offspring. It elevates measurably in humans not only when they give birth, but when they see friends and loved ones.
Another study proved that oxytocin elevated in humans after seeing their dog’s gaze. 1
Researchers were also able to prove that oxytocin increased in dogs when they saw their people and a hormone associated with stress (cortisol) decreased at the same time. Just the sight of the familiar person had a positive effect on oxytocin levels and if the person initiated physical contact, the increased level was sustained. ²
Just seeing you causes a surge of joy for your dog and even directly decreases his stress hormone levels and for you to touch him and seem to be pleased by his presence, makes his joy even greater. There is no greater love than someone who is overjoyed by the sight of you and gratified by your touch. Who could ask for more?
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- Hormones & Behavior, 2009 Mar;55(3):434-41.Dog’s gaze at its owner increases owner’s urinary oxytocin during social interaction.
- Physiology & Behavior 2013 Oct 24. pii: S0031-9384(13)00337-5. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.10.009.Dogs’ endocrine and behavioural responses at reunion are affected by how the human initiates contact
