LOVE, ACTUALLY HOW A TINY PEPTIDE DRIVES OUR PASSION FOR DOGS
Recently, scientists have been studying the role of oxytocin in the human-canine bond. It was already known that interactions between humans and dogs caused oxytocin release into the blood stream of both species. To understand more about the mechanism of this mutual hormonal response, researchers performed experi- ments to ask the following questions: Is gaze important for mutual oxytocin release between humans and dogs like it is for mothers and infants? And does mutual oxytocin release happen between humans and hand-raised wolves or just with dogs? To answer these questions, researchers measured urine oxytocin levels in dogs, or hand-raised wolves, and their people before and after spending 30 minutes alone in a room together with a video camera recording their interactions. During that time, the owners could gaze at the dogs or wolves, talk to them, and touch them. Results: Dogs differed in the amount of time that they would gaze at their owners. In fact, the dogs could be divided into long gazers and short gazers. Long gazers induced significantly higher mutual oxytocin levels in both the people and in themselves during the 30-minute interaction, whereas short gazers and hand-raised wolves did not. Conclusion: As in the relationship between mother and child, humans interacting with dogs (but not wolves) experience gaze- induced mutual oxytocin secretion, and the longer the gaze, the higher the resulting oxytocin levels in both humans and dogs (and the better both feel). This hormonal interaction is called the oxy- tocin-gaze positive loop. The figure above illustrates the steps that are involved in this positive feedback loop.
Figure Legend: The Oxytocin-Gaze Positive Loop
Why don’t you try a little experiment now? Sit down and gaze into your dog’s admiring eyes. Now think about how it makes you feel. It might seem silly, but just go ahead and do it. When you think about your feelings, do the words “calm,” “love,” “peaceful,” “happy,” and/or “content” come to mind? If they do, then you are experiencing the oxytocin-gaze positive loop! As a dog lover, I am sure that you can connect with the fol- lowing closing statements in the researchers’ publication: “These results suggest that humans may feel affection for their companion dogs similar to that felt toward human family members…” You can’t help it—it’s a chemical attraction!
SHOWOFF © Ribbon Racks
Dogs, Horses & Sports
BOXER WALL AND CRATE RIBBON RACK
www.merbeth.net 262-246-3500
/showoffribbonracks
104 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2024
Showoff Ribbons.indd 1
6/28/22 11:11 AM
Powered by FlippingBook