Man-Dog Friendship: an unbreakable bond

Discovering Empathy

Much has been written and said about the friendship between humans and dogs. After all, one of the most famous phrases states that a dog is a man’s best friend.

For this article dedicated to the friendship between humans and dogs, we wanted to do something more, to ‘investigate’ where this special bond originates from and how it can develop.

Moreover, we know that dogs feel boundless affection for their pet mate, but can we say the same for humans towards their furry friends? And how does friendship work among dogs?

To explain all this, let’s start with a very special concept: empathy.

Can we talk about empathy in dogs?

The psychiatrist and philosopher Jung defined empathy as a ‘comprehending heart’ because it is the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes, to understand what emotions they are experiencing, and to act accordingly.

For example, if a person is suffering, we show empathy when we feel that pain and try to do something to relieve it or at least help that person suffer less.

The world is probably divided between empathetic people, who can and want to understand what others feel for a common good, and those who are not. But can we talk about empathy in dogs?

As seen in this article dedicated to dogs’ emotions, our four-legged sweethearts experience emotions and, in turn, can understand the emotions that we humans feel and experience.

Do dogs understand human emotions?

A study conducted by the University of Pisa, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, highlighted that dogs are able to follow the body orientation, head movement, and gaze of the person in front of them.

And, during play, they express their positive emotional state through specific signals, such as wagging their tails.

This proves that dogs read our behaviors and emotions, empathically connect with us, and, consequently, form a deep bond of friendship!

Do dogs understand when we are suffering?

When we talk about true friendship, we define it as the ability to be close, support, and comfort our friends when they are suffering. It’s no coincidence that we say a real friend is someone who stays by your side in difficult times.

Can we say the same for dogs? Based on the scientific research we mentioned earlier, the answer is yes! Anyone who shares life with a four-legged sweetheart already knows how sensitive they are to our mood and emotional changes.

We see it in their eyes, in the way they approach us, and in their desire to provide comfort, which derived from a primal instinct from their wolf ancestors.

It is always important to remember that dogs are driven by a desire to bring peace to tense situations, as we explained in this article about canine communication. So, if they see us suffering, their instinct is probably to bring peace to our hearts.

What emotions do humans feel towards dogs?

Every person is unique and experiences emotions and feelings based on their character, past experiences, and upbringing.

When we talk about human-dog friendship, we must consider that not everyone feels the same way or at least does not express emotions in the same manner.

Some people, upon seeing a pet, can’t wait to pet and cuddle him, while others prefer to keep their distance.

In this case, fear may play a role—perhaps due to a past dog bite or an upbringing that taught caution around dogs. There are many different cases, which is why it’s always best not to judge.

Regardless, those who love dogs and animals in general know how deep and intense this bond of friendship can be.

Pets indeed brighten the human world with their presence, big eyes, gaze, and gestures, which show how much they genuinely care about us unconditionally.

And their love has beneficial effects on our mental, physical, and emotional health.

Many studies have shown that living with furry friends helps prevent disorders and illnesses, reduces feelings of loneliness, and even helps prevent serious conditions like depression.

Their love is therapeutic, which brings us to a practice that increasingly features them: Pet Therapy.

Pet Therapy and the ability to help those who suffer

Pet Therapy is a therapeutic support activity carried out through the interaction between humans and animals.

Since it is not scientifically considered a true therapy, but rather a support activity, today it is better to use the term “Animal-Assisted Interventions” (AAI).

Nonetheless, Pet Therapy offers many benefits to those who experience it, particularly people who are ill or have physical, mental, or emotional disorders.

The goal is to improve psychological and emotional well-being, thanks to the presence, activities, and play with companion animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, as well as horses and donkeys.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the value of Animal-Assisted Interventions, revealing astonishing physical benefits, such as increased survival rates after a heart attack, as well as mental recovery and emotional balance following trauma or addiction.

There is no doubt—we already know the therapeutic power of dogs and animals in general, but never more so than in these cases, where their presence and support are vital to humans.

Do dogs form friendships among themselves?

Let’s resume the research conducted by the University of Pisa, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, which analyzed the behavior of 50 purebred and mixed-breed dogs aged 3 to 72 months while playing. The goal was to examine their physical and facial expressions.

Researchers concluded that dogs involuntarily respond to the gestures of their peers. In fact, the more they interacted while playing, the stronger their facial expressions were, indicating what we can define as a true friendship.

How does friendship work between dogs?

So far, we have discussed human-dog friendships, but how does it work among dogs? How do they behave with each other, and why sometimes they’re inseparable friends while sometimes they seem like sworn enemies?

Science explains it for us, particularly a study from the University of Pennsylvania, which confirms that not all friendships between dogs are the same.

Why are some dogs inseparable, while others ignore each other or even become sworn enemies?

Since dogs generally prefer peace and avoid conflict unless there is a serious reason (food is often one of them), they usually get along.

Even when there are valid reasons for a conflict, instead of attacking, they first react through body posture, stiffening up rather than immediately fighting.

Dogs instinctively prefer to maintain peace, but this does not always mean they will reconcile. If one of them commits a serious offense well… the friendship may end forever.

Moreover, if a dog misbehaves too much, others may ostracize it—not by attacking, but by excluding him from the group.

On the other hand, when two dogs are friends, they behave adorably, showing their bond through gestures like: gentle head or nose touches, gentle licks and rubbing against each other and playful nibbling.

These gestures trigger the release of oxytocin, the happiness hormone, which helps them feel better and strengthen their friendship.

Why Do Dogs Fight?

In male dogs, conflicts can arise due to resources, the protection of the territory, presence of females in heat, lack of socialization skills, which can also cause fights between females or mixed genders.

For female dogs, fights may stem from the personality, upbringing and past experiences, group dynamics, such as interactions at the park and genetics

How to Teach a Dog to Ignore Other Dogs?

This is also a matter of friendship!

Sometimes, a dog is not naturally inclined to interact with others, turning even the most peaceful walk into a stressful ordeal.

Instead of wondering how to teach a dog to ignore others, we should first ask why they behave this way.

Here are some reasons:

• Unmet expectations

If a dog has been allowed to approach other dogs in the past but was later pulled away (due to lack of time or unfamiliarity with the other dog’s pet mate), this can create frustration, leading to agitation and barking.

• Lack of experience

If a dog barks at others, it may be due to inexperience—they haven’t yet learned how to interact with their peers. Often, this is simply a lack of proper communication skills due to limited social experiences.

• Leash frustration

A leash can be seen as both protection and restriction, causing a dog to bark and become restless. Using the right equipment is key to ensuring both the owner and dog are comfortable.

To teach a dog how to interact properly, it is always advisable to consult a canine trainer who, thanks to his expertise, can assess their background and needs, providing the best training strategies to get him used to staying with his peers in harmony.

What to do if a dog is aggressive toward other dogs at home?

Aggression among household dogs can have many causes, but conflicts typically stem from managing resources and spaces.

• Competition among dogs of different ages

If a puppy is introduced into a home with an older dog, it is crucial to manage initial interactions and resource-sharing to prevent age gap conflicts. Since puppies have limited social experience, disputes may arise over toys or the “favorite spot on the couch” next to the pet mate.

• Changes in family dynamics

A separation or a family member being away for a long time can create tension among pets. Since dogs thrive on routine, changes can be challenging for them.

• Fear of resource scarcity

A dog may become aggressive if they perceive a shortage of food, beds, or toys resources, leading to anxiety and fights.

In any case, consulting a canine trainer is essential to restore peace at home and ensure harmony among furry housemates.

If we take a moment to reflect, situations such as dogs fighting, fear of other dogs, or difficulty socializing all relate to friendship.

Friendship is one of the deepest and most complete relationships that both humans and dogs can experience—whether between each other or among their own peers.

Let’s conclude this article with quotes about human-canine friendship and a book recommendation on this topic.

The Book: “Finding serenity: a dog, a man, a friendship”

“An emotional story of friendship between a man and his dog, and how it changes our lives.” This is the subtitle of the book of the Italian author Andrea Vivarini, which beautifully captures the amazing meaning of this touching work.

The book is an emotional journey that narrates the relationship between Andrea and his faithful dog Whisky, whose superpower is easing worries and bringing serenity to his best friend’s life.

In a fast-paced world, a dog’s companionship can truly transform life. From Andrea’s moments of loneliness to the joy shared with Whisky, the book explores the unconditional love that only a four-legged friend can give.

Moreover, this book is a tribute to friendship in its highest form, one that eases pain and suffering for both human and dog, especially during life’s toughest moments.

Quotes About Human-Dog Friendship

To wrap up, here are three powerful quotes about the bond between humans and dogs, taken from the website The Dog Guide:

“Before you get a dog, you can’t quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can’t imagine living any other way.”

— Caroline Knapp, American journalist and writer

“Meticulously trained, a man can become a dog’s best friend.”

— Corey Ford, American humorist

“Did you know there are over 300 words for love in canine?”

— Gabrielle Zevin, American writer and screenwriter

The friendship between humans and dogs is the most wonderful relationship in the world

Every relationship is governed by emotions and feelings, which in turn generate actions and behaviors. This also applies to friendships between people.

We have seen that for dogs is the same: their friendships are influenced by factors closely related to survival, but also by situations where emotions play a significant role.

What can we do to improve the friendship between humans and dogs, as well as the friendship among dogs?

As much as possible, we can help our furry friends grow up in a safe environment and give them all the love we can, while also trying to get them used to socializing with other dogs as much as possible.

Just like humans, it is essential for dogs to stay with their peers, as only in this way friendships that fill their hearts with joy can be formed and can make their lives more complete, happy, and fulfilling.

Article written with the consultancy of Chiara Festelli, Canine Educator.