According to David Robson, the dog’s “mini-me” shows that we all have a tendency toward narcissism, which could also be influencing your romantic relationships. (Images by Gerard Gethings.)
You can observe the peculiar canine mini-me phenomena in any park. It might be a brazen criminal with a bulldog or a bearded hipster with a small bundle of fur that appears to have been to the same barbershop. Another possibility is an Afghan dog and an athletic jogger, both of whom have lustrous hair that effortlessly blows in the breeze.
Why do individuals pick a dog that most closely resembles themselves? The solution can help you gain a fresh understanding of the strong relationships that humans and our canine companions have developed. It is far more than just skin-deep. The way we select our other, two-legged life partners has some peculiar and unexpected similarities.
Dog show competitors are depicted by Gerrard Gethings in a close relationship that transcends species barriers. (Image courtesy of Gerard Gethings)
One of the first psychologists to examine the theory was Michael Roy at University of California, San Diego. He visited three dog parks in the area, took pictures of the dogs and their owners, and then asked a group of volunteers to try to match the pictures. He discovered that they were able to determine who lived with whom with some degree of accuracy even without any extra clues. Since then, the outcome has frequently been repeated. (Importantly, not all bulldog owners will have faces that resemble those who have been pushed through a wringer; the resemblance may be subtle but apparent.)
What causes dogs to begin to resemble their owners?
If you go along sidewalks or into public parks often enough, you’ll eventually see a dog that looks uncannily like its owner. The experience is widespread enough that art has imitated it; think of the classic 101 Dalmatians scene with the eerie human-dog couplets. And if for some reason you missed these interactions, simply look at the following photo pairings of people and their twin-like pets:
Choose whichever analogy you find most comfortable to describe the similarity—it is undeniably there. Also, it is supported by evidence. Behavioral scientists have discovered in multiple studies over the past ten years that some people resemble their dogs so closely that others can identify them from photographs alone. For instance, the image above is from a 2005 study in which test subjects correctly recognised owner-pet couples more often than they would have by simply speculating. The fact that the impact has persisted in the United States, South America, and Japan raises the possibility that it may be global.
In other words, science has proven that the similarity is real. Then, why is the question. Although humans occasionally keep their children on leashes—if they did, the Internet would undoubtedly be aware of it—they don’t actually give birth to pets, so it’s safe to assume that the similarities aren’t genetic. It’s possible that over time, people and animals start to resemble one another, however it’s unclear exactly how that would happen unless someone told their barber to give them a Bichon Frise.
According to social psychologist Nicholas Christenfeld of the University of California-San Diego, the possibility that some individuals purposefully or unintentionally select a dog that resembles them is much more likely. “He tells Co.Design, “I’ve heard accounts of individuals starting to look like their dogs. ” What would be the mechanism for that is not really obvious. You two could probably work out together by catching Frisbees in your mouth or something. However, in order to truly resemble your dog, you would have to alter your looks in order to seem like the dog, rather than the other way around. So it’s not completely insane. But it makes more sense to choose a dog that resembles you.
Christenfeld and graduate student Michael Roy tested this hypothesis about 10 years ago by photographing 45 dog-owner pairings at neighbourhood dog parks. They recorded the length of the dog-owner relationship as well as the purebred or mixed breed status of the canines. If the appearances of dogs and people converge over time, then the length of ownership should be a sign of similarity. Being purebred should be a sign if individuals choose dogs that resemble them because their final appearance is much more predictable than that of a mongrel.
Christenfeld and Roy invited study participants to match up owner and pet after showing them three pictures—one of a person and two of dogs. The researchers did not discover any proof that these impartial judges could match owners with non-purebred pets, nor did they discover any proof connecting matches to ownership duration. However, significantly more test participants than chance matched 16 purebreds with their owners out of 25 photo pairs.
“According to the findings, people chose pets that are somewhat similar to them, and when they choose purebred animals, they get what they want, wrote Christenfeld and Roy in a 2004 edition of Psychological Science. (For the record, the researchers repeated the initial findings in a subsequent experiment and later defended the statistical analysis of this study once it had been questioned. As per Christenfeld, the “A very subtle statistical problem has been fixed.)
People look for a pet that looks like them when choosing one, and when they choose a purebred, they get exactly what they desire.
Sadahiko Nakajima, a Japanese psychologist at Kwansei Gakuin University, has undertaken more recent study that contends the eyes are the key to pet-person likeness. Participants in the test were shown photo pairs of purebred dogs and people; based on likeness, they correctly identified true owner-pet matches even though the mouth areas of the photos were obscured by black bars. However, Nakajima revealed in a work released in late 2013 that test participants were unable to make accurate pet-owner pairings when the ocular regions were covered.
It’s harder to pin down and undoubtedly varies why people choose dogs that will or already resemble them. People may occasionally encounter what psychologists refer to as the “mere-exposure effect, or the propensity to favour recognisable sights. As a result, the Afghan Hound is chosen by the woman who looks at her long hair in the mirror every day. Other situations might simply be narcissistic.
Christenfeld worries that evolution might be involved. The want to care for a child is extremely adaptive in the eyes of natural selection, and aside from the whole emerging from the womb thing, one way a child may spark this caretaking drive is by looking like a parent. Thus, when someone sees a “Christenfeld asserts that some of those same basic feelings for parenting may manifest itself in the form of a pet if it were a little, vulnerable, non-verbal creature that resembled them.
“According to him, people frequently develop feelings for their children that are remarkably similar to those toward their dogs. ” Many couples utilise pets as a sort of trial run for children. And when children leave for college, pets frequently take their place. When they return from spring break, they are informed that they must spend the night in the garage. Now that Fluffy is in your room.
What is the practise of treating a dog like a human called?
It varies. The practise of treating dogs as though they were people is known as anthropomorphism. Anthropomorphism, which is seen as an essential human psychological propensity, is defined as the “attribution of human features, emotions, and intentions to non-human creatures” (Oxford Dictionary, 1885).
It’s reasonable for you to wonder how anthropomorphism relates to you and your dog. I feel conflicted about imputing human emotions to dogs because I work as a professional dog trainer. Let’s talk about whether or not treating dogs like people is appropriate because I believe there are advantages and disadvantages to this puzzle.
Do dogs form a human imprint?
Dogs follow us for a variety of reasons. Probably the most reliable explanation is that dogs have always been pack animals because it’s in their genes. Dogs simply adopt their human pack when we take them out of their canine pack. Our canine companions have the same tendencies that arise in wild dogs.
Canines are social creatures. They frequently prefer our company just as much as we do. And what better way to demonstrate that than by being close to your friend? Additionally, if you acquired your dog when she was a puppy, she may have “imprinted” on you and believe that you are their “dog mother.”
Other times, dogs will just become bored and decide to accompany you on your activities. More exercise will frequently be really beneficial for these dogs.
Many animals pick up on everyday rituals like being fed or being walked at specific times. What better approach to ensure you remember than to be there and ready? We frequently unintentionally encourage this adorable behaviour by giving out food or treats.
Just be aware that this can have a double-edged effect by increasing your dog’s propensity to repeat the undesirable behaviour.
On occasion, dogs will cling to your side if they are anxious, scared, leery of strangers, or unwell. Dogs frequently perceive us as their defenders during thunderstorms and fireworks displays. And on rare occasions, dogs that are removed from their pet parent become so panicked from anxiety that it is bad for both of them.
How do dogs decide which owner to obey?
During their critical socialisation stage, which lasts between birth and six months, many dogs form their strongest bonds with whoever is in charge of taking care of them. Puppies’ brains are very reactive at this age, and their early social interactions shape who they become for the rest of their life. Because of this, it’s crucial to make sure your puppy interacts well with a variety of people, locations, and objects.
For instance, dogs who are not exposed to people wearing hats may subsequently develop a fear of headgear. Radar and I didn’t meet until he was six months old, so I don’t fully recall the details of his early socialisation. He does, however, favour guys, which makes me think he had a more good upbringing with male caregivers.
Don’t panic if your dog was an adult when you got them; it’s still possible to win them over. Early encounters are significant, but ongoing socialisation through activities like doggie daycare, play dates, and regular walks is crucial as well!
Attention (and affection) increases the bond
I’ve already said that my own dog wants to be cared for by someone other than their primary caretaker. However, most dogs tend to form close relationships with the person who pays them the most attention. For instance, in a household with two parents and two children, the dog might choose the parent who gives them water in the morning and walks them in the evening.
The link between a dog and a person is also strengthened by physical affection. A dog will become distant from a person if they are distant toward them. However, if you offer your dog a lot of affection, grooming, massages, and love, they will probably want more.
For some dogs, the type of love and care they receive matters more than the quantity. Although I spend the most of my time with my dog Radar, I may be a little reserved and rigorous when it comes to letting a 40-pound Pit Bull sit on my lap. On the other hand, my brother is content to wrestle and let Radar crawl all over him. It makes sense why Radar flips over (sometimes literally) everytime he sees Jacob.
Positive association is key
Dogs use associations to make decisions about who they like to pay attention to outside of their favourite individuals. In other words, a dog develops a link with a person when they are the provider of pleasant things.
Considered carefully, it makes a lot of sense. A dog will undoubtedly adore the person who consistently engages in tug of war with them or generously provides them with their favourite stinking beef liver treat. They are also aware of how significant a role the person who feeds them most frequently plays in their lives.
On the other hand, dogs frequently display negative behaviour toward persons with whom they have negative connections (you’ll never see Radar befriending a doctor). Positive associations result in positive interactions between dogs and people. Positive association is a useful tool for socialising and training your dog.
For instance, I make sure that guests who are new to my home greet the dogs in the yard and offer them treats. This creates an immediate favourable association—new person = delicious treats—which facilitates the introduction.
Wherever you go, there they are
Are you your own personal shadow, your dog? In your house, is it impossible for them to follow you from Point A to Point B? Then there’s a good chance that you’re one of your dog’s top favourite people.
Similar feelings can be reflected in the following, just as positive attention and associations strengthen the link between dogs and pet parents. As I indicated before, why wouldn’t your dog prefer to follow you over other people if you are the provider of walks, treats, food, and stroking sessions?
However, it’s critical to remember that a dog with separation anxiety differs from a “velcro dog” that appreciates your company. In contrast to velcro behaviour, which has good traits like licking and playing, separation anxiety is not an indication of preference and has bad traits like accidents in the potty and melancholy.
What about dog licking?
Perhaps your dog just can’t resist giving your hands and face a short tongue bath. And while a dog licking you might not be intended to convey the same message as a kiss between two people, you may have pondered.
The response is perhaps. The portions of our bodies that are exposed to air and contact from the various places we go during the day are our hands and faces, which produce a salty perspiration that dogs adore. This is like a taste and odour feast for dogs!
Dog licking may also result from a food-seeking behaviour between a mother and a young puppy, as well as being a show of submission or an act of communication. But it’s true: in some circumstances, dog licking can also be an expression of welcoming or love. Therefore, even while we can’t guarantee that those licks indicate that you are the dog’s favourite, there is a good possibility that you aren’t the least favoured if your dog frequently licks you.
Human personality and dog breed play a part
Have you ever seen a dog that resembled its owner in both appearance and behaviour? The adage “like attracts like” also holds true for canines and people. Dogs frequently select a favourite person who is similar to them in terms of vigour and temperament. My more energetic, noisy dog is particularly devoted to my more active brother, whilst my more reserved, cautious dog is more tightly bonded to me.
Furthermore, certain canine breeds are more likely to bond with a single person, increasing the likelihood that their favourite person will end up being their only human companion. Breeds that prefer to form close bonds with just one owner include:
