Proposed Research

Morag Ryan

Background information: Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) have coexisted with humans for about 14,000 years, although some genetic studies suggest 100,000 years(1,2). It is therefore possible that interspecific (dog-human) communication also developed over this time, either preceding or as a result of domestication. Concurrently, dogs have adapted to selective pressures acting on disposition and attention characteristics associated with survival in human social groups(3). Modern dogs have even learned to anticipate human behaviour, synchronizing their own motor responses with that of their masters(5). Attachment, as described by Bowlby (1972)(6), is a behavioural system resulting from one individual seeking and maintaining proximity to another individual. Attachment, in this sense, quite likely describes the human-dog bond, considering that 75% of pet owners liken their pets akin to children, and often remedy the absence of children with a dog companion(7). This parent-child analogy is certainly evident in artificial selection as it has favoured infant-like features, such as large eyes and bulging cheeks in dogs, primarily in toy breeds(8).The physiological mechanisms, however, that underlie this interspecific relationship are still unclear(4). Using a parent-child framework, it is reasonable to assume that parental hormones play a role in this bond formation. For example, oxytocin (OT)a neuropeptide hormone associated with lactation, nurturing, bond formation, trust, and stress reduction(9)has been shown to increase in both dogs and humans during interactions where the owner strokes and speaks softly to their dog(10), and owners OT levels increase when their dogs face them for longer durations(11). Similar findings are also supported in infant-mother bonds as women who are breast feeding have an increase in OT while feeding, and OT levels also increase through the anticipation to breast feed(8). Despite these findings, little is known about how hormones (such as OT) interact with this interspecific attachment bond, and no research to date has dealt with an anticipatory increase of OT in human-dog dyads. Knowing more about the potential hormonal foundations can shed light on the coevolution of man and dog, and for implementing factors effecting bond formation into regimes for improving domestic pet relations. This research could also provide information on how prior parenting or prior dog ownership can affect the bond formed between them and their current dog, and whether stronger hormonal relationships can be primed by experience. Objective: To analyze dog-human attachment through anticipatory responses of OT levels. As well as factors affecting attachment such as dog personality, and the owners prior dog experience and parenting experience. This experiment will investigate whether or not dog and human responses are mirrored hormonally, and whether dogs experience an increase in OT in the absence of their owner during a time interval where the owner can be expected to arrive. Methods: Domestic dogs and owner dyads using doggy daycares will be utilized, preferably younger dogs (below 7 years) that have lived with their owner for at least 6 months. Each owner will complete a series of questionnaires: Dog Attachment Questionnaire (DAQ)(3), Monash Canine Personality Questionnaire (MCPQ-R), and a brief questionnaire asking about the their dogs age, duration of ownership, typical interactions, any roles the dog might serve (i.e. seeing eye dog, companion, etc.), how many dogs they have, and presence/absence of children in the home. Oxytocin will also be measured three times a day over the course of a five day work-week via a cotton swab from the owner and the dogs mouth. Each interval will be timed in accordance with the owners typical routine work week so that a saliva sample is taken: once 20 min before the owner leaves work (owner)/ 20 min before the owner returns to the daycare, once during their reuniting interaction (owner/dog), and once 1 hour after the reuniting interaction (dog/owner). These saliva samples will be analyzed using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for oxytocin, and will be sent to Salimetrics.

Proposed Research

Morag Ryan

1. Nobis, 1979 2. Call et al. 2003 3. Mongillo et al 4. Domestic Dogs are sensitive paper).

5. Social mimetric paper 6. Bowlby (1972 7. Serpell, 2003 8. Archer 9. Detection of salivary OT 10. Neurophys. Correlates 11. Gaze paper