(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, July 11, 2013 ) San Francisco, CA -- A new study reveals that the bond between a dog and its owner may be similar to the one shared between a parent and a child.
Known as the “secure base effect,” it refers to the actions of infants who use their caregivers as a sort of reliable home base when playing or interacting with things around them. This type of security has a profound impact on a child, including how they score on cognitive tests.
Scientists hypothesized that similar behavior can occur with dogs and their owners, as previous studies have demonstrated that when dogs are in an unfamiliar situation, they look for their owners.
To test the existence of the “secure base effect” between dogs and people, 20 adult dogs acted as research subjects, and their behavior was monitored depending on the presence of the owner.
In the first experiment, dogs played with various interactive toys trying to get the treat inside. Owners were either enthusiastic and supportive of the dog, did not encourage the dog and wore a blindfold, or was not present at all.
When owners were not present, the dogs were less inclined to get the treat and also spent less time playing with the toys. Additionally, the encouragement of the owner did not influence the dog’s motivation to play with the toy. Further tests demonstrated that the dog’s previously existing level of separation anxiety did not play a role.
The second experiment involved the introduction of a stranger. The dogs were not inclined to interact with the stranger, and tended to play with the stranger only if the owner was present. When the stranger was alone with a dog, it spent less time playing with toys.
Similarly, the dogs were more likely to greet their owners longer and more enthusiastically than when a stranger entered the room. Furthermore, if the dogs were alone in the room with two chairs and two pieces of clothing (one of which belonged to the owner), dogs would sit closer to the owner’s clothing.
The researchers found that the “secure base effect” is present in dogs and owners, as time and again they were more comfortable and more motivated when the owner was present.
About Animaroo.com
Animaroo.com (http://www.animaroo.com/) helps you find quality breeders, so you can find your next puppy. Animaroo.com takes the guesswork out of finding the best breed for you and provides a matching tool, so you know your dog fits into your life.
