Published in Animal Cognition, the study by M. V. Dzik, F. Carballo, E. Casanave, and M. Bentosela investigates rescue behavior, a prosocial response in which a dog helps a distressed human. Previous research has shown that dogs may release their owners from confinement when the owner feigns distress; this study explores how hormonal and relational factors contribute to that behavior.
Dogs received either intranasal oxytocin or a saline placebo before participating in two experimental conditions: a stressed condition, where the owner acted distressed while enclosed in a box, and a control condition, where the owner remained calm. Across conditions, the dogs released their owners more frequently when the owner appeared stressed, supporting the idea that dogs display context-sensitive prosocial behavior.
Unexpectedly, dogs administered oxytocin were less likely to open the box and took longer to do so than dogs that received saline. This suggests a more complex interaction between oxytocin and canine prosocial motivation than previously assumed.
The strength of the dog–owner bond, measured using the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS), further modulated behavior. In the stressed condition, dogs given oxytocin showed reduced rescue frequency and increased latency as bond intensity increased. In contrast, dogs in the control condition who received saline showed the opposite pattern—dogs with stronger bonds opened the box more often and more quickly.
These findings highlight that both oxytocin and the social relationship between dog and owner shape rescue behavior, but their effects may vary depending on emotional context. The authors suggest that further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these surprising hormonal interactions and to clarify how bond strength influences prosocial responses.
Source: Dzik, M. V., Carballo, F., Casanave, E., & Bentosela, M. (2021). Effects of oxytocin administration and the dog–owner bond on dogs’ rescue behavior. Animal Cognition. Published April 8, 2021. Authors affiliated with institutions specializing in psychology, animal behavior, and human–animal interaction.
