Why do we get so attached to dogs???
- Thread starter latshki
- Start date
I don't believe a word of this ............... i believe dogs love you totally and would give up their life to defend you..." this is just what the so called experts say"... to explain why we love dogs the way we do... i believe they love us unconditionally .... and there is no explanation as to why they do, they just do... and anyone who has been loved by a dog or loved a dog...knows this to be false... i just posted the scientific explanationmanlyfish;4397287; said:
Why do I love thee, dog?
The explanation for why we love dogs is more complex. Let us count some of the ways.
Biology: Friendly interactions between our two species feel good. “All kinds of friendly, nurturing interactions release the mammalian hormone oxytocin in humans and dogs — even mere eye contact,” Olmert says.
Companionship: We made dogs into our best friends. Humans created dogs to be companions, Coren says. “We’ve been systematically modifying them for at least 14,000 years, and in such a way that they’ve become better companions to us than just about any other creature except another human being.”
Communication: Dogs respond to our emotions and body language. Part of what makes dogs such easy-to-love pals involves how well they respond to us and understand our gestures. For example, recent studies indicate that if you point at something, your dog will look to where you point; a wolf will only stare at your hand. “We’ve bred companion dogs to be empathic,” Coren says. “They can read our moods and subtle aspects of our body language, which is why some people think dogs have ESP.”
Looks: Dogs never grow up. Pedomorphosis, the retention of juvenile characteristics in an adult, is a hallmark of domesticated animals. These juvenile characteristics include physical attributes that automatically make us go ga-ga — think flattened faces and large round eyes — along with behavioral characteristics such as playfulness and reduced aggression.
“Pedomorphic features protect a young animal from the aggressiveness of the parent,” Beck says. “It’s part and parcel of our selection for tameability. You end up with animals locked in a juvenile state, and it triggers positive feelings, so you breed more individuals like that.”
Interaction: We treat dogs like people. Yes, we all talk to our dogs. We also go jogging or play Frisbee with our pets, and caress them — behaviors normally reserved for other humans, Beck says. “But many of these behaviors occur with less risk,” he says. “Dogs never criticize what you say, and they’re almost always happy to be in your company.”
Right now, Jake and Lewis look equally happy in each other’s company. “I love having Jake at work,” Lewis says. “I appreciate him even more after he couldn’t be with me during his recovery from hip replacement surgery last year. I felt naked without him here.”
He loves me, he loves me not
Just as various relationships exist between people, we modern humans have different ways of relating to our dogs. Compare the “Hey, it’s just a dog” person to the “Oh, my sweet baby-kins!” individual.
How people relate to their canine friends depends greatly on where they happen to be in their lifetime, Coren notes. The dogs of our childhood often serve as substitute siblings or playmates. As adults, we may see our pets as exercise buddies, playmates for our kids, or beloved surrogate children. In our golden years, pets are often steadfast friends guarding us against loneliness. “For older individuals, this relationship is quite important, because older people tend to become more isolated,” Coren says. “Dogs give us this wonderful feeling that we’re not alone.”
Cherie Langlois regularly contributes to DOG FANCY. She shares her Washington home and her heart with two loving canines, Pippin and Daisy.
The explanation for why we love dogs is more complex. Let us count some of the ways.
Biology: Friendly interactions between our two species feel good. “All kinds of friendly, nurturing interactions release the mammalian hormone oxytocin in humans and dogs — even mere eye contact,” Olmert says.
Companionship: We made dogs into our best friends. Humans created dogs to be companions, Coren says. “We’ve been systematically modifying them for at least 14,000 years, and in such a way that they’ve become better companions to us than just about any other creature except another human being.”
Communication: Dogs respond to our emotions and body language. Part of what makes dogs such easy-to-love pals involves how well they respond to us and understand our gestures. For example, recent studies indicate that if you point at something, your dog will look to where you point; a wolf will only stare at your hand. “We’ve bred companion dogs to be empathic,” Coren says. “They can read our moods and subtle aspects of our body language, which is why some people think dogs have ESP.”
Looks: Dogs never grow up. Pedomorphosis, the retention of juvenile characteristics in an adult, is a hallmark of domesticated animals. These juvenile characteristics include physical attributes that automatically make us go ga-ga — think flattened faces and large round eyes — along with behavioral characteristics such as playfulness and reduced aggression.
“Pedomorphic features protect a young animal from the aggressiveness of the parent,” Beck says. “It’s part and parcel of our selection for tameability. You end up with animals locked in a juvenile state, and it triggers positive feelings, so you breed more individuals like that.”
Interaction: We treat dogs like people. Yes, we all talk to our dogs. We also go jogging or play Frisbee with our pets, and caress them — behaviors normally reserved for other humans, Beck says. “But many of these behaviors occur with less risk,” he says. “Dogs never criticize what you say, and they’re almost always happy to be in your company.”
Right now, Jake and Lewis look equally happy in each other’s company. “I love having Jake at work,” Lewis says. “I appreciate him even more after he couldn’t be with me during his recovery from hip replacement surgery last year. I felt naked without him here.”
He loves me, he loves me not
Just as various relationships exist between people, we modern humans have different ways of relating to our dogs. Compare the “Hey, it’s just a dog” person to the “Oh, my sweet baby-kins!” individual.
How people relate to their canine friends depends greatly on where they happen to be in their lifetime, Coren notes. The dogs of our childhood often serve as substitute siblings or playmates. As adults, we may see our pets as exercise buddies, playmates for our kids, or beloved surrogate children. In our golden years, pets are often steadfast friends guarding us against loneliness. “For older individuals, this relationship is quite important, because older people tend to become more isolated,” Coren says. “Dogs give us this wonderful feeling that we’re not alone.”
Cherie Langlois regularly contributes to DOG FANCY. She shares her Washington home and her heart with two loving canines, Pippin and Daisy.
I don't believe the so called experts either, I know what those eyes say when i leave the house and when I return. That is no parasite I see in those eyes. He comes for a cuddle and then he goes again with no expectation of food at all, all he wanted was the hug before a nap.
I treat my dog like I would my child with all the hugs, love and protection; if someone hurt him they better emmigrate. I am very attached to my animals.
I love him more because of how well he treated me after my operations. Normally a very hyper and excitable dog but when I came home after being sliced he was gentles as could be and always by my side. A proper little gentleman. He is the same with my gran too because she is more frail than the rest of us.
That explanation (post #17) is much better Liz, more accurate. Shows what the "experts" know
.
I treat my dog like I would my child with all the hugs, love and protection; if someone hurt him they better emmigrate. I am very attached to my animals.
I love him more because of how well he treated me after my operations. Normally a very hyper and excitable dog but when I came home after being sliced he was gentles as could be and always by my side. A proper little gentleman. He is the same with my gran too because she is more frail than the rest of us.
That explanation (post #17) is much better Liz, more accurate. Shows what the "experts" know
.