Published in Animals on May 24, 2022, this study led by **Sanni Somppi** and colleagues examined how the emotional reactivity of dogs is influenced by their relationship with their owners, as well as owner interpretations and individual dog personality traits.
Researchers assessed **29 adult dogs** during five emotional scenarios: stroking, interacting with a feeding toy, separation from the owner, reunion, and the sudden appearance of a novel object. Emotional reactivity was measured using **heart rate variability (HRV)**, physical activity data, and behavioral observation. Additionally, owners were asked to evaluate their dogs’ emotional states after each situation.
The study found that both positive and negative situations elicited arousal responses in dogs. Dogs showed heightened stress reactions during fear- and separation-inducing events, and these were aligned with lower HRV and more fear-related behaviors. Interestingly, while owners were generally good at recognizing heightened arousal in stressful contexts, **the dog–owner relationship itself did not significantly alter their emotional interpretations**.
However, the **strength and nature of the dog–owner bond did affect the dogs’ physiological and behavioral responses**. For example:
- Dogs with **high emotional closeness** to their owners showed **higher HRV**, indicating a more secure attachment and better emotional regulation.
- Frequent **shared activities** led to lower HRV and increased owner-directed behavior, suggesting greater attachment-related arousal.
- Dogs perceived by owners as requiring more effort or cost (Perceived Costs factor) showed **higher HRV** and fewer stress behaviors, potentially indicating greater independence.
These findings highlight the **complex, reciprocal nature of dog–owner dynamics**, suggesting that a dog’s stress response and social behaviors are shaped by both their innate traits and their ongoing emotional relationship with the caregiver.
Source: Somppi, S., Törnqvist, H., Koskela, A., Vehkaoja, A., Tiira, K., Väätäjä, H., Surakka, V., Vainio, O., & Kujala, M. V. (2022). Dog–Owner Relationship, Owner Interpretations and Dog Personality Are Connected with the Emotional Reactivity of Dogs. Animals, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091215
