Image Credit -Pixabay.com/
When humans started the process of domesticating dogs, they
practically laid the groundwork for a strong and enduring cross
species social bond that would only get stronger over time.
Wherever humans go, dogs are wont to follow. If it has ever
occurred to you that dogs are more interested in you than the
treat in your hand, you'd be glad to know that it is not entirely
in your imagination.Animal researchers at Emory University just
discovered that dogs value affection more than food. Animal
trainers who have successfully trained dog to perform tasks to
food rewards might find this a little hard to believe. But
science seems to disagree. The results of the study were
published in a paper that explored the subject of treats versus
praise in detail, and they incontrovertibly point to the fact
that dogs do find human affection more intrinsically rewarding.
Apart from reminding us of the social origins of dogs as a
species, this discovery could also provide a lot of valuable
tools for training working dogs. It bears mentioning that this is
not the first study of its kind, but it does certainly add a lot
to our understanding of dog behavior.
Three experiments
The researchers involved in the study used functional magnetic
resonance imaging in 15 wide awake dogs to explore the neural
basis behind their preferences for food reward and social
interaction. In the first experiment, they used readings of the
ventral caudate as a statistical measure of intrinsic reward and
compared the region's activation to conditioned stimuli like
praise, food or nothing. Compared to the control stimulus, it was
observed that the caudate was much more active to rewards and
even more so when it came to praise. This was uniformly the case
in 13 of the 15 participating dogs.The second experiment was done
to confirm the results of the first. To make sure that the
differences in the readings was driven by the intrinsic value of
praise, they withheld the praise on a subsection of trials. They
noticed that there were considerable differences in the degree of
caudate activation relative to withholding praise and the results
had a very strong correlation to the differential activation in
response to the conditioned stimuli in the first experiment.In a
final experiment, they had the participating dogs complete a
Y-shaped maze in which they had to choose a treat or their owner.
The results of the MRI scans correctly predicted their response
here as well, thereby demonstrating that this trait has
deep-seated biological routes.The testing was done over a number
of sessions to make sure that the dogs get a break in between and
do not get tired of being handled or frustrated of the food.
Since the responses were consistent across the sessions, it is
not just an afternoon whim that drove the dogs to prefer praise
to treats. This study conclusively proves that early
socialization and positive enforcement is much more important
than the food we dole out to our dogs during meal time.
How Belly Rubs Are Taking The World By Storm
We all know that pooches love a good scratch behind the ears or
a belly
rub. But did you know that the action is even
therapeutic for humans, too? It has a real,
quantifiable calming effect, which is why many canines
are finding themselves employed by hospitals and senior centers
to visit patients during the day. However, in other parts of the
world belly rubs, or any form of dog petting, are expressly
forbidden.
In fact, Malaysia recently erupted after a dog petting festival
turned ugly. The organizer, Syed Azmi Alhabshi, even received
threats on his life from enraged citizens. Time magazine reported
that he has been forced into hiding after religious conservatives protested
his "I Want to Touch a Dog" event that was held in Bandar
Utama, an affluent neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur. More than 1,000
showed up to relax and play with various pooches. Alhabshi's goal
was to have visitors learn about Islam's views on canines and
become familiar with dogs, as they're typically shunned over the
fear of contracting diseases. Many Malaysians own dogs for
security purposes due to rising crime waves in the country.
Muslims can have canines as working animals for hunting and other
functions, too. Issues with canines date back to the Colonial era
in Malaysia, when an influx of dogs was brought by British
officials. This made pooches fashionable among wealthy
Malaysians, including members of the royal family. But the event
was coordinated to introduce citizens to the calming effect that
petting a pooch can have on people.
What are the best spots to pet
your dog?
While the Malaysian debate rages on, pet owners around the world
continue to love and cuddle their furry friends. Scratching or
rubbing the right spot can send them into a frenzy, kicking their
legs in enjoyment. But do you know which spots you should aim for
to get the best reactions?In some instances, the age of your
pooch can play a role in where you pet him. According to Pets
Adviser,gently massaging a puppy's mouth
and gums not only shows affection, but allows fresh blood to
flow into the area. Oral health is important for canines, as
plaque buildup can cause significant heart issues down the road.
In addition, rubbing a puppy's paws might make nail trimmings
more manageable as he's more used to the sensation.While most
dogs will have their own preferences, many of them enjoy a
good belly rub or a scratch on the neck that leads
down to their spines. However, it's important that you don't try
to pet a dog while he's barking, as he may get frightened and try
to bite you.Owners should consider a PetPlus membership
because it grants them access to dozens of discounted supplements
that can keep your pooch just as happy as a full body massage.
