Human-Animal Bond Day

The dog was the first animal to be domesticated by our early relatives. Cave paintings dating back over 9,000 years show humans hunting with dogs highlighting how our relationship is one that has built slowly, but surely, over time as we’ve evolved epigenetically together.

Understanding the Human-Animal Bond

The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals, no matter the species, but dogs are coined as man’s best friend. The ‘bond’ is defined by behaviours considered essential to the health and well-being of both, built between people and their dogs by understanding the mental, physical and social health of both parties.

When the balance is right, the sky’s the limit to build this bond, which can be likened to ‘an invisible elastic band’. It’s like an energy that acts like indelible ink. Literally until ‘death do us part’. Like all relationships, the one between you and your dog takes time, patience and understanding but above all the appreciation that your dog is not a little person in a furry suit.

The Unique Bond We Have With Our Pets

Dogs are their own ‘people’, they are sentient, and hugely emotionally intelligent, but should not be considered as a comfort blanket, but as beings with their own thoughts, expectations and needs. As every dog is a unique individual, even the most experienced dog owners can face challenges, yet when the ‘path of true love’ may not be smooth, this can develop into the strongest bond!

Truly appreciating the life-long commitment that the human-animal bond deserves is especially poignant in today’s climate with ‘rescues’ globally full to the brim of unwanted dogs. What’s become apparent in the pandemic years is that many dogs were purchased in haste, perhaps not fully appreciating the commitment that dogs really are. Or the fact that very often our ‘human’ messages can get lost in translation, namely because we wrongly assume dogs understand speech and don’t think like humans.

I like to use the playing a game of ‘fetch’ as an example. It can become the perfect reciprocal experience when the dog brings the ball back to you, it’s fun and triggers happy hormone release – both ways.  But so often it becomes a different game – where owners are chasing after their dog, who has the ball, without a recall in place, which is creating frustration and stress for the human and the dog. Research from the Royal Vet College earlier this year revealed concurs that stress-related behaviours are still afflicting a generation of dogs born into the pandemic. Over 40 % of dogs suffered from fear and anxiety, 77% showed attention-seeking behaviours, and 25% showed aggression. And a whopping 52% have no recall and 67% still pull on the lead.

Anna’s Bond with Her Dogs

Despite 15 years prior bull terrier experience, and a love of the breed billed as ‘untrainable’, my own 9-year-old mini bull terrier, Prudence, was diagnosed as both noise and touch-sensitive as a puppy. However, by understanding her limitations, and how to desensitise her gradually, we’ve strengthened our relationship by working together building mutual trust and teamwork in all manner of contexts and situations.

With Mr Binks my 12 ½ year old re-homed English Toy Terrier, his journey has been nothing less than transformative. Over the past decade, he’s turned into my ‘wingman’.  But this took time as he lacked confidence due to his degenerative bone condition, combined with a lack of early socialisation.

He’s testimony to the effects of a good diet, wellness, training, socialisation, and pushing his boundaries. With over a decade of experiences shared, I feel like I have done him proud and vice versa.  

Benefits of Having a Good Bond

When the human /animal bond is working in harmony science concurs on the many health benefits, namely in relieving stress.  A relaxing human-animal bond acts on the adrenal and other corticosteroid hormones including reducing blood pressure and heart rates.

A study on the effects of human-animal interaction on the level of salivary cortisol in shelter dogs found that contact with humans was associated with the shelter dogs’ lower cortisol levels. For people, the psychological stimulation induced by the presence of an animal and its need for care encourages self-care and reduces psychosomatic problems.

Perhaps at the nub of the Human-animal bond is Oxytocin release. The oxytocinergic system has been linked directly to many of the observed psychological effects of human-animal interaction. It promotes being social, bonding, and stress relief. It slows down heart rate, reduces blood pressure, calms breathing, inhibits stress hormones, and promotes a sense of calm, comfort and focus.

Interestingly studies have demonstrated that oxytocin levels are increased in dogs interacting with their owners but not with strangers!

About the Author – Anna Webb

As a Canine Nutrition and Behaviour expert, Anna combines her psychology degree, with study at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and over 20 years of experience. Host of the award-nominated A DOG’S LIFE podcast, she lives in London and is owned by Prudence, a Miniature Bull Terrier and Mr. Binks, a re-homed English Toy Terrier. www.annawebb.co.uk \