A recent study from the University of Jyväskylä revealed that the heart rate variability of dogs adjusts to that of their owners during their interactions. Higher heart rate variability typically signifies relaxation, whereas lower heart rate variability suggests heightened arousal. This finding enhances our understanding of the affective bond between dogs and their owners, including the physiological aspects involved.
Emotional connections play a significant role in fostering interactions in human relationships. In the parent-child dynamic, emotional synchronization is crucial for forming strong attachments. Similarly, the bond between a dog and its owner is rooted in attachment, yet the physiological mechanisms driving this relationship are not well understood.
The heart rate variability of a dog and its owner is interconnected
A study at the University of Jyväskylä, particularly from the Department of Psychology and the Jyväskylä Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research, observed that the heart rate variability of both dogs and their owners are linked during interactions. Heart rate variability refers to the variation in the intervals between heartbeats and is indicative of the autonomic nervous system’s state. High heart rate variability is linked to relaxation and recovery, while low heart rate variability signifies stress or activation, such as during exams or sporting events. The study found that when a dog’s heart rate variability was high, it correlated with high heart rate variability in the owner, and the reverse was also true. Additionally, the activity levels of both dogs and their owners adjusted to each other throughout the interactions.
Different interconnections for activity and heart rate variability
During specific interaction tasks, researchers observed the connections between heart rate variability and activity levels of dogs and their owners. Both heart rate and activity levels between the pairs were interrelated but at different moments. For example, during relaxed downtime, the owner’s high heart rate variability aligned with the dog’s high heart rate variability, indicating that when the owner relaxed, so did the dog. Furthermore, the activity levels of both were similar during play, but despite known impacts of physical activity on heart rate, the strongest connections were found in differing scenarios, suggesting that the heart rate variability connection reflects emotional synchrony rather than just activity levels.
“The link in heart rate variability during resting phases may stem from the absence of external tasks, allowing both parties to respond more naturally to each other’s states,” explained Doctoral Researcher Aija Koskela.
The owner’s temperament influences the dog’s heart rate variability
The research also examined various factors affecting the interconnection of heart rate variability between dogs and their owners. Larger dogs tended to exhibit higher heart rate variability. Additionally, an owner’s high heart rate variability was associated with their negative affectivity, which refers to a tendency to be easily concerned about adverse situations. Owners with this temperament often form significant emotional ties with their dogs, potentially offering them a heightened sense of security.
The dog also impacts the owner
Interestingly, the study found that the dog’s heart rate variability was a stronger predictor of the owner’s heart rate variability, even when considering the owner’s activity level and body mass index, known factors that influence heart rate.
“Our study uniquely analyzed both the heart rates and activity levels of dogs and their owners simultaneously, unlike previous research which primarily focused on one or the other,” stated the lead researcher, Academy Research Fellow Miiamaaria Kujala. “This challenging research context allows for better exploration of interactive dynamics.”
The findings of this study suggest that the emotional states and nervous system reactions of dogs and their owners become partially aligned during interactions. The same mechanisms that reinforce human emotional bonds also appear to be at play in the dog-owner relationship. Such insights enhance our understanding of cross-species interactions and the significance of emotional connections between dogs and humans.
Research involved dogs bred for cooperation
This study, primarily funded by the Research Council of Finland and the Agria & Svenska Kennelklubben Research Fund, included 30 volunteer dog owners and their dogs. The dogs in the study were breeds that have been specially cultivated for collaboration with humans, such as shepherds and retrievers. These findings align with prior research suggesting that breeds selected for their cooperative nature are especially responsive to their owners’ behaviors and personalities. The next phase of the project aims to further clarify the mechanisms underlying these interactions.
The study was published on 24 October 2024 in Scientific Reports: Koskela, A., Törnqvist, H., Somppi, S. et al. Behavioral and emotional co-modulation during dog-owner interaction measured by heart rate variability and activity. Sci Rep 14, 25201 (2024).
