Some claim that people who spend a lot of time with their dog, hugging, playing, and even saying they prefer dogs to people, have a problem.
Such individuals, it is argued, are unable to interact with people, so they concentrate on their dog. These critics contend that dog owners should place a greater emphasis on developing their interpersonal skills, overcoming their fear of people, and overcoming their narcissism rather than on their four-legged companion.
For instance, Alex, a commenter on my article People Who Prefer Dogs to Humans, wrote:
One size does not fit all, as usual, but many dog-first individuals don’t require fixing. Rather they could use validation. That is this post’s purpose.
First, you may find comfort in the fact that many famous people, according to the aforementioned article, prefer dogs to humans. Humans, after all, can be challenging and undoubtedly require more compromising. A National Geographic survey found that one in five people would rather spend time with their pet than other people. Approximately 62% of small dogs, 41% of medium-sized dogs, and 32% of large dogs sleep with their owners, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association.
Dog-loving is understandable. Doggie time offers relief in these overly stressful times and, if you treat the dog properly, that desired unconditional love. The same cannot be said for all people. And especially if you’re single, having a dog cuddle up to you in bed or while watching TV can be soothing. Harvard Health reports that owning a dog lowers cardiovascular risk.
According to recent Mayo Clinic research, the average owner’s sleep efficiency doesn’t suffer if the dog sleeps in the bedroom and only slightly does so if the dog sleeps on the bed. This probably varies depending on how soundly you and the dog sleep.
A possibly less obvious reason for loving a dog is that it’s simpler to find a dog with our ideal appearance and personality than it is with humans. The dog is unlikely to reject you: “Nah, I’m not into that human.” After all, it’s only you who gets to make the decision, not you and the dog. ”.
However, despite our claims to the contrary, it appears that when someone deviates from The Orthodoxy, the celebration ends and censure’s teeth are displayed.
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#4: Because our ancestors had a long-standing bond with dogs
It’s difficult to think of a world without dogs. These devoted, furry creatures have existed for a very long time.
They were descended from the ever-magnificent wolves, their larger cousins. I mean, it’s pretty obvious in the way they look.
Research shows that canids have similarities in the genes of wolves. 58 canines and 12 wolves were included in the study.
But canines began to evolve a very long time ago—33,000 years, to be precise. And they developed into the forerunners of the contemporary dogs we have today.
Then during 13,000 to 10,000 B.C., humans interacted with dogs. Scientists think that dogs are the first animals that we domesticated. And that says a lot about our relationship with them.
“How did humans domesticate dogs before?”
In any case, alien veterinarians visited Earth and educated our ancestors.
What our ancestors did was take care of doggie cubs. Alternately, they simply permit weaker and more subdued wolves to dine with them in their camps.
Later, our ancestors realized that dogs can help them survive. And because of this, they accepted canines into their groups.
Hunting was one of the main things that dogs did with people. Our ancestors’ dogs accompanied them when they went in search of food. And help them gather the meat.
In addition to helping guard the food they received when it was time to rest, dogs As “payment”, canines received food, shelter, and companionship from humans.
Even now, thousands of years later, we continue to share a special bond with dogs. And our relationship goes beyond mutualism. We grew to love, understand, and truly care for them.
#3: They are good for your mental health
Many current events in the world have the potential to have an impact on our minds. And when it does, there is a chance that our mental health will suffer.
This particularly occurs when there aren’t many people in our circle with whom we can vent. alternatively, somebody who can identify with us and offer us counsel
The state of our minds can be improved with a trip to the psychiatrist, but not everyone can afford it. Some people could have financial restrictions. Others might not be able to visit a psychiatrist in person.
However, having a dog can help you feel less pressure on your mental health. Their presence has a positive effect on our lives.
Research even indicates that people who have companion dogs become less lonely.
One explanation for this is that dogs can facilitate interactions with other people. Have you ever been approached by complete strangers who inquire about your dog?
Some might even arrange joint playdates with other dog parents beyond simply saying hello. You’ll make new friends even if you don’t have anyone to talk to in your immediate circle.
It’s like your fur baby’s friendliness affects you positively, too.
Exercising can also improve your overall well-being. You’ll become more active because dogs need to be active all day.
Here are some drills you can perform with your dog:
Your dog will help you feel better, so that’s a win-win. And this can improve your relationship with them.
#2: You went through a lot of things together
Have you ever heard the proverb that goes something like, “Those who struggle together bond better?”
It is comparable to going through trying times with loved ones. When you do conquer it, you come out stronger together. Regardless of whether this occurred with your loved ones, your spouse, or even your friends
After their father passed away, I observed my friend improving their relationship with their siblings.
And your dog and you might experience a similar response. Was it your dog that got you through tough times?
Whatever happened in the past, your pet was there to support you. Perhaps it was when you lost your job or when a partner broke up with you.
They may not express it verbally, but they are aware of your feelings of sadness and stress. After all, dogs can match our cortisol levels.
This hormone is released in our bodies when we encounter events that trigger our fight or flight. According to research, dogs can detect the cortisol in our system.
And when they do, their behavior changes. The dogs in the study experienced more stress when their owners touched them more frequently.
When the dogs interacted with their parents, their cortisol levels rose. And the dogs showed it by standing a lot.
“This is interesting. What other actions could I take that would stress out my dog as well?
Here are a few:
However, you develop a stronger relationship with your dog when you both stick together through all of these challenges.
Why Does My Dog Always Look Sad? 7 Real Reasons + 3 Tips is another article you might be interested in.
FAQ
Why do I love my dog so much?
Here’s my best guess: Dogs get us coming and going. They elicit the same deep love and nurturing that we do for our own children, and they also provide us with the parental love that we all need and desire. In other words, they completely encircle us with everything our families will ever need to provide for us.
Can you love on your dog too much?
Yes, you can love your dog too much. You must consider the relationship between behavior and love in order to fully comprehend this. One fundamental tenet of behavior is that people and animals, including dogs, will repeat actions that result in rewards and refrain from repeating actions that do not.
Is it normal to love your dog like a child?
These results aren’t exactly surprising. Dogs appear to be taking the place of children as a late-20s family addition for many young Americans. And since previous research has shown that dogs develop relationships with their “parents” in a manner similar to that of human babies, it is only fair that we love them in a similar manner.
Can my dog feel how much I love him?
Dogs and humans have a very special relationship where dogs have taken over the human oxytocin bonding pathway normally reserved for our babies, so yes, your dog knows how much you love him. Both your oxytocin levels rise when you gaze at your dog, just like when you pet and play with them.