How do dogs comfort you?

We all know that dogs are man’s best friend. While they bring us joy and happiness, they also bring us comfort. Dogs can be a source of comfort during times of stress or sadness, and their behavior can be comforting in many different ways. But how exactly do dogs provide comfort? In this blog post, we will explore the science behind how dogs provide comfort and the various ways in which dogs can soothe and calm us. We will discuss the emotional, physical and psychological benefits of having a dog around, as well as why dogs are uniquely suited to provide comfort and companionship to humans. Additionally, we will look at the ways in which you can use your own dog to comfort you in times of need. Finally, we will look at the signs that your dog is providing comfort, and why it is important to recognize and appreciate the comfort that your dog brings you.

Dogs comfort us in a variety of ways

You can probably name many ways that your dog comforts you when youre feeling down. In fact, the ways dogs comfort people are not too different from the ways people comfort dogs!

Your dog’s responses to your sadness or upset could be the following:

Physical contact. We’re familiar with the sweet “dog lean” or head nudge.

Distraction. Some dogs will put a toy in your lap, or look to the door to ask for some time outside. Think of it as your dog saying “Dont feel bad! Lets have fun instead!”

Exercise. Its a fact that having a dog keeps you more active, and that physical activity eases symptoms of depression and anxiety. So if youre going through a hard time, remember to keep walking the dog!

“Time out.”Some dogs, when they sense upsetting emotions from a person, actually know to give you space until youre ready to be around them again.

Bottom line? The greatest comfort dogs provide is companionship. In fact, real life therapy comfort dogs are trained just to sit quietly with people, offering silent, non-judgmental support.

Researchers from the University of London discovered that dogs were more likely to approach a person who was crying than someone who was humming or talking in a study that was published online on May 30 in the journal Animal Cognition. They also discovered that dogs typically reacted to weeping with submissive behaviors. The researchers concluded that the results are consistent with dogs being able to understand our suffering but do not establish this.

However, asking for help can be difficult, so Custance and her colleague Jennifer Mayer wanted to keep things straightforward. To determine whether dogs would exhibit sympathetic behaviors in response to crying, they enlisted 18 pet dogs and their owners. The dogs were a variety of breeds, including Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and a few other popular breeds. [What Your Dogs Breed Says About You].

When a dog notices a pet owner crying, many find solace in a pair of puppy-dog eyes or a tongue swipe. According to recent research, dogs do indeed react differently to tears. But it’s unclear whether animals can feel human pain.

The authors, Mayer and Custance, stated that they “in no way claim that the present study provides conclusive answers to the question of empathy in dogs.” However, they asserted that their study opens the door for additional research on dogs’ emotional lives, ranging from whether different breeds react to emotional owners in different ways to whether dogs can distinguish between laughing and crying.

The experiment took place in the owners living rooms. The dog would be uninterested in Mayer when she arrived because she would ignore it. The owner and she would then alternate talking, acting upset, and humming.

Reduce Environmental Stress

Environmental stress is one of the major factors. Here are some techniques for lowering environmental stress in your cat and avoiding UTIs.

Make sure there is enough space for your cat to move around freely and get exercise.

Play with your cat every day, or provide an alternate way for your cat to release energy such as a cat wheel or cat tree.

Provide different types of food so that they are getting a variety of nutrients.

Keep your house cool by using air conditioners or fans.

Groom them regularly so that their fur doesn’t tangle too much and create knots (this can lead to infection).

FAQ

Do dogs try to comfort you?

Responding to someone else’s emotions while not fully understanding them is called emotional contagion. Although they may not understand exactly how you feel, your dog can sense your strength. Therefore, even though they may not fully comprehend how or why, dogs can bring you comfort.

Why do dogs comfort you when you cry?

In other words, even though your dog may not fully understand your emotions, they are aware of them. They reassure you even though they don’t fully comprehend how or why you feel bad because they can tell.

How do dogs make you feel loved?

Studies have shown that even brief interactions with dogs trigger the release of oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle chemical,” in the human brain. “Oxytocin decreases stress and anxiety while boosting feelings of relaxation, trust, and empathy.”

Do dogs try to comfort you when you cry?

A recent study in the journal Learning & Behavior found that dogs will go above and beyond obstacles to comfort their owners when they’re upset. Previous studies have demonstrated that dogs react to the sound of people sobbing.