According to a new study, humans’ expectations from dogs, their best friends, have evolved over time. Once seen as more wild creatures, dogs today are mainly tasked with providing companionship to their owners. Dogs undergoing evolution may face a third wave of domestication. New findings shed light on how domestication has altered genes affecting dogs’ social skills. A new study suggests dogs may face a third wave of domestication due to humans desiring friendly, calm, and sedentary pets.
Until a few decades ago, dogs were considered animals tasked with hunting pests, herding animals, and guarding homes. But today, companionship has become a much more important priority for pet owners.
Scientists have found that this shift has increased the levels of a hormone responsible for social bonds, especially in service dogs.
A conducted study revealed that the hormone responsible for dogs bonding with their owners is oxytocin.
Researchers indicated that increased sensitivity of dogs to oxytocin came about as humans domesticated wolves into the caring pets of today.
A study conducted by researchers at Linköping University in Sweden in 2017 analyzed how dogs’ unique abilities, including “asking for help,” when facing a problem, developed in parallel to working with humans.
Scientists believe that oxytocin, a hormone known to play a role in social interactions between individuals, is influential in these abilities.
A dog’s social skills are partly linked to its genetics, especially the genes controlling its sensitivity to oxytocin.
In an experiment, 60 golden retrievers were observed trying to open a jar lid that had been intentionally made impossible to open.
The dogs underwent the behavior test twice; once after receiving a dose of oxytocin nasal spray and once after receiving a dose of neutral saline nasal spray.
The team timed how long the dogs attempted to open the jar by themselves before asking their owners for help.
Results showed that dogs who received the oxytocin dose were more likely to seek help compared to those who received the saline dose.
These findings shed light on how domestication has altered genes affecting dogs’ social skills as their role in our lives shifted from worker to companion, potentially changing their behaviors and biology.