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This article explains that dogs trigger in the human brain positive reactions, much the way babies do. Same with people on dogs' brains. It's no surprise, given that dogs and humans have co-evolved. To my way of thinking we wouldn't have evolved in the manner we have without dogs; both for pragmatic reasons that they guard and work, and for emotional reasons that they give unconditional love and support.
I agree that there is an extraordinary relationship between humans and dogs. If anything, I think we still underestimate the impact our co-evolution with dogs has had on us humans.
Studies have shown that when people gaze lovingly into their dog's eyes that it creates an oxytocin loop that benefits both human and canine, with the added benefit that the dog-human bond is consequently strengthened.
It is no coincidence that humans have intentionally bred some breeds that retain their puppy-like looks and behaviors, e.g. cavs, pekes, etc.
If anyone is interested, here is some info and a TedTalk by the scientist Gregory Berns who developed the training process and did the MRI study referenced in the OP's link:
There was a two-part series on Nature (PBS) that illustrated how dogs changed the path of human kind, and that the evolution from wolves to dogs happened quicker that people first thought. Some speculate it happened within one human's lifetime, and it was the wolf who evolved without the genetic manipulation by man.
And the explosion of different breeds didn't happen until the Victorian age.
There was a two-part series on Nature (PBS) that illustrated how dogs changed the path of human kind, and that the evolution from wolves to dogs happened quicker that people first thought. Some speculate it happened within one human's lifetime, and it was the wolf who evolved without the genetic manipulation by man.
And the explosion of different breeds didn't happen until the Victorian age.
Also check out the book "The Wolf In The Parlor" too - it has a similar focus and is really well done.
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