Scientific Proof That Dogs Love Us Like Family

[Mosby]

As a long-time dog lover and first-time dog parent, there are tons of questions swirling in my head about what my dog’s thinking, dreaming, and barking.

We already know that our pups love us. There is no doubt about that. You can see it in their eyes. You can see it in their smile. And you can see it in their tail-wags.

But, if you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself wondering, “How much does my dog love me? What does he get out of our lovin’ relationship?”

Thanks to scientists and their quest to understand the human-dog relationship on a deeper level we now have some more answers on the subject.

According to a recent piece by Mic in partnership with GE, “Not only do dogs seem to love us back, they actually see us as their family. It turns out that dogs rely on humans more than they do their own kind for affection, protection and everything in between.”

http://barkpost.com/dogs-love-us-like-family/

[shenmue]

1. Squee!

[catbyte]

2. It's true for cats,too. Adult cats never "meow" to other cats; only to us--just like kittens with

mamma. They view us as "the parent", or, as Sad Cat Diary says, "The Authorities".

[greiner3]

10. "They view us as "the parent""

I think my cat views me as a 'Big Dumb Cat".

[spooky3]

14. Yes, the final few statements in the linked article are incorrect.

Dogs definitely are not the only ones who seek eye contact, etc. Some cats LIVE for attention and affection from us as well as reassurance and protection when afraid.

[aquart]

16. I don't know where that idea comes from but Chickie ain't calling for me.

She's yelling for Shanks. They have a long term love hate relationship including a regular Apache dance. Chickie and Shanks are both cats.

[dsc]

3. I wonder how that works when a dog is adopted

My dog, who I adopted in August, had an owner for a few years before me. I wonder if he is fully attached to me now or if he would remember his old owners if he saw them again. It is a cool study though. Both of my recent dogs are much more into their human than other dogs that is for sure.

[Mosby]

4. I adopted my current dog when he was five

He spent almost a year with his fosters and sees them at the yearly beagle fest. He just loves them and probably his original owners also.

But he loves us too.

[dsc]

5. I have no idea who his original owners are

I got him from the pound.

[Mosby]

7. i think it takes a little time

Maybe 6 months or so for your pet to think of you as family. Sooner if the dog is a puppy or adolescent.

[dsc]

8. he seems pretty settled so far

but bad with other dogs at times. He does listen well though.

[irisblue]

11. My dog came here 8 years ago as a rescue.

She is so bonded to me, it's unbelievable. Occasionally she sees the kids she lived with before, gets happy & excited for awhile, but when I call her to me so we can leave, she walks out with me with no issues. Your dog will settle in.

[rwsanders]

15. I wish I could remember the exact book for you, but I read it is common for wolves to adopt pups...

from another pack of the parents are killed. Also common for them to leave and start new packs.
So to me that shows that the new bonds can be as strong to them as the old.
The more love you give the more they give back. Our current golden amazes us with her expressiveness and ways she shows she knows she is loved and happy.

[artemis starwolf]

17. i think they are like us

In that dogs can form new attachments while still loving people from their past. Your dog probably loves you very much, but would be happy to see his old owner. My rescue greyhound bonded to me very quickly but recognized her foster people and was always glad to see them. I did have a funny experience with a little dog I have now. I got her from an acquaintance who was fostering her, and she bonded to me right away. A few days later, I saw my friend. As soon as Cookie saw the lady, her ears and tail went down and she got this sad look! I know my friend was kind to her, so it couldn't be that she was mistreated. She was just afraid she would have to leave me and go back to rthe foster home. But Cookie is an unusually sensitive dog. I think most dogs have plenty of love to go around for all the people they have known.

[Skittles]

6. a favorite quote

a dog is the only animal on earth born with a love of humans in its DNA

[Cracklin Charlie]

9. I heard someone on teevee say that...

Dogs are the only animal species that prefer to be with a species other than their own.

[Botany]

12. I really can't think of life w/out dogs.

This was one pf the greatest dogs in the history of dogs. He made 13 years and for a
big dog that is a good run.