Is there a special connection between dogs and owners?

The connection between dogs and humans

It is believed that the origin occurred when wolves approached humans, possibly among the younger members of the pack and those of the tribe or clan; as they are more open to the world around them, to play, and both feel a strong curiosity towards each other.

The strength of this bond resided and resides in the gaze between a dog and its owner; in both, the amount of oxytocin spikes, similar to hormonal levels when a human looks at their child. The dog perceives its owner as its leader, as another member of its pack, and therefore considers them family.

Over the millennia, communication between dogs and humans became more fluid, with dogs becoming capable of understanding emotional states, facial expressions, commands, gestures, and even sensing the stress of people and being influenced by it.

The relationship between animals and humans

Sensitivity towards animals in general is increasing. There are more and more laws protecting them, and more people are advocating for their rights to governments and public organizations. This change, in part, is owed to the treatment of dogs and other pets such as cats, birds, fish, reptiles, rodents, horses, and so on.

Contact with them and their companionship has been transformative for many people. Pets have awakened animal empathy in new generations, pushing towards a fairer future for other living beings.

How do dogs help people?

The bond established with dogs is laden with values and positive feelings such as:

• Commitment

• Reciprocity

• Loyalty

• And the most fundamental, unconditional love

Dogs awaken in humans the true meaning of these feelings, sometimes impossible to experience from human to human.

Dogs provide emotional stability

This unconditional love implies the ability to forgive. Occasionally, we have bad days and our behavior is not correct.

But a dog never judges and always shows loyalty and love from the deepest sincerity. They always keep loving you without reproach and celebrate every encounter with you; for them, there is no revenge or resentment.

This has a healing effect on people because it helps to better manage frustration and anger, that is, it helps to enhance emotional self-regulation.

Helps you enjoy the present moment

Notice how your dog enjoys every meal, every walk, every game... they live it intensely. However, do you enjoy everything like that? Are you capable of finding joy through their well-being, of recognizing how happy it makes you to see your dog enjoying their life with your care? It's something wonderful that deserves attention to learn from and enjoy the present with them.

What does it mean to have a dog?

Obligations: such as vaccinating, veterinary visits, microchipping, daily walks...

Benefits: Companionship, security, and unconditional love...

In short... having a dog involves daily obligations throughout the dog's life, between 10 to 15 years.

Dog-owner relationship

Dogs benefit from living a pack lifestyle with humans. They are social creatures that thrive on cooperation. Living in a pack increases the likelihood of an individual discovering how to solve a problem.

They often rely on humans to meet some of their needs. The responsible owner provides daily food and basic care, but furthermore, the dog possesses social skills to communicate what it needs at any given moment and to make itself understood by humans.

Depending on the emotion or behavior it wants to express, it knows how to request play, ask for help, or even ask for forgiveness after a conflict.

The dog-owner relationship is so synergistic that various studies demonstrate that dogs have such a natural affinity with humans that a gentle caress or their simple presence is enough to detect a decrease in the animal's stress.

But the contact is not only beneficial for the dog; it is also a source of psychological and physical comfort for the person giving the caress. Humans, after petting their pet, also reduce symptoms of anxiety, sadness, and stress.

How does a dog feel about its owner?

Dogs are capable of enjoying each interaction with the people they love to the fullest. They don't just love us for feeding and protecting them; for them, we are their family, their friend, and their world. So, for a dog, the most important thing is not having toys; it's having time with the person they love and receiving affection.

Why do dogs love us so much?

We've already mentioned in the previous paragraph that for a dog, we mean everything, and they can love their owner even more than themselves. For this reason, it's important to reflect and "be the person your dog thinks you are" because they deserve nothing less.

The reason for this strong bond is due to a long relationship of over 15,000 years, resulting in this unparalleled reciprocal love. There are hundreds of cases and facts documented in literature worldwide of dogs and humans giving their lives for each other.

Do dogs feel pain, sadness and love from people?

Yes, dogs are capable of recognizing human emotions such as sadness, joy, etc. As we have been mentioning throughout the development of the article. They not only feel their owner's pain but also display comforting behaviors.

They can tell when we are angry or sad by our tone of voice or react to groans if someone is in pain. Similarly, they recognize when we are happy and content.

The most obvious sign that dogs value their peers and interpret emotions within the group is their tendency to "make peace" after any kind of conflict.

Lastly, the act of having a positive interaction after a conflict, or showing affection or consolation, constitutes a mechanism to restore social bonds that facilitate group cohesion, friendship, and alliance. In conclusion, an unbreakable bond and a connection that will last forever.