A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä found that the heart rate variability of a dog and its owner are interconnected during interaction. High heart rate variability indicates relaxation, while low heart rate variability suggests stimulation. The study deepened our understanding of the emotional connection between a dog and its owner, highlighting the underlying physiological mechanisms involved.
Emotional synchronisation plays a crucial role in human relationships, enhancing interaction and affective attachment between individuals. While the relationship between a child and parent is well documented in this regard, little is known about the physiological mechanisms underlying the emotional connection between a dog and its owner. The study shed light on this aspect, revealing the intricate interplay of heart rate variability and activity levels between dogs and their owners during interaction.
During specific interaction tasks, such as resting periods and playing, the heart rate variability and activity levels of a dog and its owner were found to be interconnected. The owner’s high heart rate variability was linked to the dog’s high heart rate variability during resting periods, indicating a state of relaxation for both individuals. While physical activity levels were similar during activities like playing, the connection in heart rate variability seemed to reflect emotional synchrony rather than solely activity levels.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that the owner’s temperament, particularly negative affectivity, played a role in the dog’s heart rate variability. Dogs with owners displaying higher levels of negative affectivity tended to have higher heart rate variability, possibly due to the stronger emotional bond between them. This suggests that the emotional states of dogs and their owners become mutually adapted during interaction, indicating a shared emotional connection.
Another surprising finding was that the owner’s heart rate variability was best explained by the dog’s heart rate variability, even when considering the owner’s activity level and body mass index. This suggests that the emotional states and nervous system reactions of dogs and owners become synchronized during interaction, strengthening their affective attachment. The study highlighted the importance of emotional connection in the relationship between dogs and humans, deepening our understanding of interspecies interaction.
The study involved voluntary dog owners and their dogs, focusing on breeds that are known for their cooperation with humans, such as sheepdogs and retrievers. These breeds have been shown to be particularly sensitive to their owners’ behavior and personality traits. Moving forward, the researchers aim to further investigate the influential mechanisms involved in the emotional connection between dogs and their owners. The study was published in Scientific Reports, emphasizing the importance of emotional co-modulation during dog-owner interaction.