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Dogs and wolves diverged from a common, now extinct, wolf ancestor around 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. Since then, domesticated dogs have been forming relationships with humans and behave very differently from their wild counterparts.
We all know instinctively that dogs show and feel love. But it can be hard to get on their wavelength sometimes. After all, we’re human, and they’re not.
The good news is that science is riding to the rescue. Researchers are discovering all sorts of new ways for us to show our dogs that we care. Here’s what to do if you feel that your pup is in need of some love and attention.
Massaging Their Ears
The ears are among your dog’s most sensitive areas. What’s more, because the tissue is thin here, it can be hard for it to clear out waste products.
Massage may help with this process. Research shows that it stimulates the production of feel-good hormones in dogs, similar to what happens to humans after a run. Dogs will also often fall asleep after an ear rub.
Providing Raw Food
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Raw dog food for beginners might seem like a bit of a minefield. But remember, dogs descended from wolves, and their wild forbears only ate raw meat. There was no one around to cook it for them.
For dogs, raw meat in today’s world is a bit of a delicacy. Relatively few owners ever serve it up. However, it can be a real treat and might even offer health benefits since it is closer to what pups would naturally have eaten in the wild anyway.
Telling Them You Love Them
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Given that pets can’t really understand human language, telling your dog that you love them sounds a little strange. But, according to science, it can be very effective. Monitoring of dogs’ brains show that their reward centers light up when humans express loving sentiment. So, in a sense, they can tell that you care, even if they don’t know precisely what each of the individual words means.
Getting On Their Wavelength
Dogs, of course, have a language of their own. And understanding this makes it easier to communicate with them and tell them how much you care.
Remember, most dogs don’t like being hugged. It makes them feel trapped and under threat. Also, pay attention to their body language. Once you understand canine cues, it becomes much easier to give your dog what it wants.
Rewarding Them
We’ve known for hundreds of years that dogs love rewards. They’ll do practically anything for them. Food is their biggest motivator, it seems.
When your dog does something for you (such as grab the mail), do something for them in return. Give them a treat to say thank you for all their hard work. Dogs appreciate this form of communication because it provides them with something real – something that they can sink their teeth into, literally.
Are you doing any of these scientifically-proven things that your dog will love? If not, why not?
Sarah x
