How Dogs Comfort Humans

Dogs and humans have been side-by-side for tens of thousands of years. In that time, they have become accustomed and in-tune with our emotions and feelings. Studies have found that the connection between humans and dogs goes deeper than originally thought.

A recent study found dogs want to comfort their owners when they sense that they are upset. They will rush and push through barriers and obstacles to comfort them. The study required owners to hum “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or cry and yell for help behind a clear barrier, shut with magnets. Although crying didn’t increase the frequency of dog’s ability to open the door, it did increase the speed in which they got to their owners. Measuring the stress levels of the dogs showed those that could handle their stress better were able to push through to their owners. The most stressed dogs were unable to get to their owners, not because they didn’t care.

Dogs are a commitment, but most owners would agree that it’s all worth it for the companionship and the unconditional love. “Every dog owner has a story about coming home from a long day, sitting down for a cry and the dog’s right there, licking their face. In a way, this is the science behind that,” said psychology and brain science researcher Emily Sanford behind the study