Did you ever notice how most of the time your dog just “gets it” when something is bothering you? When you are lacking energy or just feeling low? They might just curl up beside you with a light tail wag, or greet you at the door with immeasurable joy after a long day at work. Companion dogs have this unique ability to comprehend emotional expressions of humans. These everyday moments provides us with immense joy and also something we look forward to. From a psychological perspective, this joy is considered to be rooted in the concept of “attachment.”

Attachment is not just limited to a mother-child relationship or romantic partners. Research on companion animals increasingly highlight that both dogs and humans tend to form a reciprocal attachment bond. This bond with companion animals, especially dogs, has a profound impact on our physical and mental health, both positive and negative. Although evidences in this domain are complicated.

According to attachment theory, humans possess a tendency to derive security, comfort, and closeness from others which in turn promotes better mental health and well-being. The concept of “attachment styles” has now been extended to study the human-pet relationship as an attachment bond. Dogs are not only our companions, but also act as important attachment figures in their owners’ lives. The emotional bond that we share with our dogs might fall under the following attachment patterns:

• Secure attachment: Both the dog and the owner derive reassurance from each other’s presence, and can deal effectively with temporary separation.
• Anxious attachment: Either the dog or the owner becomes distressed by the thought of separation (although for a limited time) thus causing clinginess or separation anxiety.
• Avoidant attachment: The owner shares an emotional distance with the dog to avoid vulnerability, despite enjoying the company of the dog.

Does this ring a bell? A lot of people might find themselves and their dogs tied to one of the above patterns. Hence, the knowledge and awareness of these styles is crucial for the welfare of both the human and the dog.

So, the next time your dog nudges you for pets, belly rubs, or just quietly rests by your side, take a moment to appreciate the science behind the comfort. Because something as powerful as the bond between a dog and its owner, has the strength to heal and connect us in extraordinary ways.

Navasha Mitra is a developmental psychology graduate from the University of Lincoln. Her research focuses on the human-animal bond and its impact on psychological well-being and resilience.