You probably wonder where the phrase “a dog is a man’s best friend'” originally came from. It was reportedly used first by King Frederick of Prussia in 1789, and he was speaking of his Italian greyhound. The phrase was also written by Ogden Nash in his poem two centuries after. Since then, these words have been stuck in our hearts and minds to the degree that whenever we think of dogs, we are considering them as our best friends and not just pets.
Some of us have seen how dogs work wonders for our mental and physical health. Studies show that having pets lessens blood pressure, lowers the risk of heart disease, and reduces stress. Aside from dogs being our insurance, it turns out that our beloved canine companions also experience the same!
1. Puppy love
A company named Canine Cottages consulted behavioral experts to find out the meaning behind dogs’ begging, barking, licks, and more. Then, our canine friends were put to a safe test. The experts measured these dogs’ heart rates to find out how they would react to given scenarios.
Their findings garnered surprising results. The conclusion is that, upon telling your pup “I love you,” their heart rates would jump by 46.2%. What does it mean? Well, our furry companions love hearing our loving words!
2. Signs of affection
The same experiment run by the company presented that human heart rates also rise by 10.4% upon seeing their dogs, which means the same goes with our hearts jumping out of joy whenever we see our furry friends. So if your four-legged best friend is having a rough day, too, you may want to hug him because that lowers their heart rates by 22.7%. According to the same report, it helps them calm down. Now you know how to gas up their day!
While canines’ heart rate can shed light on their emotions, we should remember that the way we communicate love is totally different from theirs. Canine Cottages named the dogs’ signs of affection: jumping up, licking and kissing, greeting, begging, cuddling, showing their bellies while rolling on the flooring, and more.
3. The canine’s love language
The key to understanding our canine friends is by knowing their language. If you see them destroying your stuff, don’t get angry, as it can also be seen as their expression of love. Dogs chew your stuff just to catch attention, especially when they’re alone or when you’re not around. When they feel like they’re missing you, they may also look for something that smells like you. Interestingly, chewing on that object can release endorphins, making them more relaxed. Well, it’s best to secure all your valuables; otherwise, you’ll end up having money management problems.
A campaign manager at Canine Cottages summarized the study: When dogs are told they are loved, their heart rates increase, showing excitement. Meanwhile, when they are cuddled, their heart rate decreases, displaying contentedness.
4. The Internet has spoken
Of course, the Internet people have a lot to say about this study, and it’s mostly positive. Well, who doesn’t love dogs? One comment read, “I love my dog more than most humans. There truly is nothing like the unconditional love that a dog gives you.” Another wrote, “My dogs tear up when I look him in the eyes and tell him ‘I love you so much.'” Lastly, an Internet user joked, “I best stop then, otherwise my poor pup is going to end up with a heart attack with how much I tell her I love her.” Many others credited the company for delving deeper into learning about dogs’ affection.
Since you’ve learned more about your furry friend, don’t you think now is the best time to say “I love you” to them?
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