Authored by: Dr. Fareed Ali
Known as man’s best friend, our dog becomes a member of our family. No one is happier to see us when we return home. They follow us everywhere, want our attention, and seem to know exactly when it’s time to eat. How do they do that anyway? Have you ever wondered if your dog really loves you, or is it just a trick so we will give them food?
These and other questions are beginning to be answered. There have been recent scientific studies to determine how a dog’s brain works. Scientists like Brian Hare, director of Duke Canine Cognition Center, wanted to know about a canine’s ability to reason. He studies their cognitive skills, how cunning dogs are, how smart certain breeds are, and whether or not they really have emotions. Do they really love us?
Your Dog’s Brain
According to Dognition, dogs are actually the least studied animal. This veterinary clinic in scarborough has studied all of these questions and more. The scientists have trained dogs to sit still long enough to have their brains evaluated by an MRI. The results are fascinating and somewhat surprising.
Hugging with their Eyes
When dogs play with their human owners, when they are touched, and especially when we make eye contact with them, the powerful hormone oxytocin is released. Oxytocin acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain that helps new mothers bond with their babies after birth. When we kiss or hug a loved one this hormone is released. Sometimes called the love hormone, it has been discovered that it is also released in dogs when they make eye contact with their human owners. Dog researcher Brian Hare says that dogs are hugging you with their eyes when they make eye contact with us.
Our canine friends are remarkable creatures. We all know that a dog’s amazing ability to smell is used by the military and police to sniff out bombs and drugs, or to find missing people. Dogs can detect cancer and diabetes in humans. Many of us have always thought that our dogs love us unconditionally, but now science is proving that fact.
Just as humans bond by looking deeply into their lover’s eyes, so apparently the same is true for dogs and humans. Dogs have emotions just like us. They do love us, no tricks and that connection is very real.