We use essential cookies for the proper functioning of the website and additional ones to make interaction with the site as convenient as possible. It helps us personalize your user experience as well as obtain analytical information to improve the service.
If you agree to accept all cookies, click "Accept all"; if not, click "Only essential". To learn more, view the Cookie Policy.
Dogs are ready to save their master — study
Psychologists from Arizona University conducted an experimental study to understand whether dogs are ready to help their owner in a difficult situation, and what motivation is behind this help.
The experiment involved 60 domestic dogs, which were supposed to try within two minutes to free their owner, who was in a box and loudly calling for help. At the same time, according to the conditions of the experiment, the owner had to voice his suffering in the most realistic manner, but without giving the dog a nickname so as not to give the animal extra stimulating stimuli.
In addition, the dogs had to complete two control tasks: to get food from the same box, and in the same way to free the owner, who was no longer screaming for help, but calmly reading the magazine in the box.
As a result, 20 dogs released the owner during the main task, 19 were able to get food, and 16 opened the box in which the owner read calmly. In addition, it turned out that the dogs, who already understood how the box is opened, save the owner calling for help with each new task faster, but when he just sits and reads, the speed of the task does not increase.
The stress simulated by the owner in the main task was clearly transmitted to the animals, and the authors of the study suggest that it was he who was the main motivation for the dog, although they also allow the influence of the situation of separation from the owner. Scientists explain the fact that not all animals completed the task, not by the reluctance to save the owner, but by the inability to open the box - the vast majority of dogs that were able to get food also coped with the main task.
The main conclusion that psychologists come to is that dogs have a high motivation to save the owner who is in trouble, and the emotional reward for the animal in this case is definitely no less than when receiving food.
The experiment involved 60 domestic dogs, which were supposed to try within two minutes to free their owner, who was in a box and loudly calling for help. At the same time, according to the conditions of the experiment, the owner had to voice his suffering in the most realistic manner, but without giving the dog a nickname so as not to give the animal extra stimulating stimuli.
In addition, the dogs had to complete two control tasks: to get food from the same box, and in the same way to free the owner, who was no longer screaming for help, but calmly reading the magazine in the box.
As a result, 20 dogs released the owner during the main task, 19 were able to get food, and 16 opened the box in which the owner read calmly. In addition, it turned out that the dogs, who already understood how the box is opened, save the owner calling for help with each new task faster, but when he just sits and reads, the speed of the task does not increase.
The stress simulated by the owner in the main task was clearly transmitted to the animals, and the authors of the study suggest that it was he who was the main motivation for the dog, although they also allow the influence of the situation of separation from the owner. Scientists explain the fact that not all animals completed the task, not by the reluctance to save the owner, but by the inability to open the box - the vast majority of dogs that were able to get food also coped with the main task.
The main conclusion that psychologists come to is that dogs have a high motivation to save the owner who is in trouble, and the emotional reward for the animal in this case is definitely no less than when receiving food.