How Your Dog’s Brain Syncs with Yours: The Science of Connection

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For most dog guardians, nothing beats that cute gaze of our dog’s eyes when they are seeking affection, comfort or attention.  Whilst science has shown human-dog eye gazing produces oxytocin release (known as the ‘love hormone’) (Nagasawa et al., 2015), helping promote that special bond between us and our four-legged friends, new research has revealed what might be happening on a neurological level during these interactions.  

A recent study published in Advanced Science by Ren et al. (2024) used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure the brain activity of humans and dogs over several days. Researchers discovered that brain activity between humans and dogs becomes synchronised when they engage in mutual gazing, and this synchronisation strengthens over time.  By the fifth day of interactions, brain coupling between the two was significantly higher than on the first day.

The study also found that mutual eye contact, combined with stroking/petting, resulted in the highest level of brain synchronisation. This combination of visual and physical interaction appears to deepen the neurological bond between humans and dogs. So, when you gaze into your dog’s eyes and pet them, it isn’t just an emotional connection that is occurring – your brains are actually syncing! 

What is particularly interesting is that the flow of information during these interactions moves predominantly from human to dog. Previous research has also shown that such dog-guardian synchronisation can also occur with heart rates. So, what does this mean for dog guardians? Well…

The study tells us that simply gazing into our dog’s eyes can synchronise brain activity, enhancing attention and emotional connection.

Interestingly, the researchers also found that brain synchrony becomes stronger with repeated interactions. This means that spending more time interacting with your dog, especially through eye contact, can strengthen the dog-owner relationship, promoting positive feelings and well-being. Whilst this may seem obvious to many dog guardians, science shows that frequent, regular, quality, one-to-one time spent with your dog, such as playing, training using positive reinforcement methods, and walking, not only strengthens the emotional bond between you and your canine best friend – it also deepens the neurological connection over time.

Other studies have shown that the length of ownership and, therefore, repeated interactions also play a role in attachment.  Smilkovic et al. (2012) found a significant difference between those owning their pet for less than three years compared to those owning pets for longer.  Moreover, one-to-one time is associated with greater attachment (Lago et al., 1983) and perceived friendliness of the dog (Rooney and Bradshaw, 2002). So, making time to have daily positive one-on-one interactions with your pet, also reduces the risk of future behavioural problems.

Previous studies in human relationships have shown similar neurological patterns to Ren and colleagues’ research. Jiang et al. (2012) found that human brain activity also synchronises during meaningful social interactions, particularly between close human partners. This new research suggests that our bond with dogs operates similarly.

Beyond the everyday bond

The findings from Ren et al. (2024) could have broader implications beyond the human-dog relationship, particularly for understanding social challenges. That is because the researchers extended the study to examine whether dogs could be models for studying autism. What the team found was that dogs with a genetic mutation associated with autism-like behaviour showed less synchronisation with humans, mirroring some of the social challenges experienced by individuals on the autism spectrum. Consequently, this research opens up interesting possibilities for studying social behaviours and developing interventions for neurological and developmental disorders.  

However, as with most exciting findings, this study has limitations. For example, it was conducted in a controlled environment with a small sample size and only involved Beagles. This raises questions such as whether the findings apply to all breeds. Additionally, the experiments involved limited movement, as the EEG technology cannot track brain activity accurately during more dynamic interactions. In the real world, human-dog interactions often involve play, movement, and exercise, which could influence brain synchronisation. Longer-term studies that look at interactions over years rather than days could also shed light on how a lifetime of companionship affects these neural connections.

What this means for dog guardians – key takeaway

For everyday dog guardians, the implications are clear: spending time engaging with your dog through eye contact and physical touch creates a deeper connection on multiple levels. So, spend time making gentle, intentional eye contact with your dog during calm moments and use ‘baby talk’ (science shows dogs like it!). If your dog is comfortable with being touched, then gentle stroking can be soothing for you both and strengthen your bond. And, like any relationship, frequent positive interaction is key. The more time you spend together, the more ‘in sync’ you and your four-legged friend become.

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References

• Jiang, J., Dai, B., Peng, D., Zhu, C., Liu, L., Lu, C. (2012) Neural synchronization during face-to-face communication. Journal of Neuroscience. 7;32(45):16064–16069.
• Lago, D.J., Knight, B., Connell, C. (1983) Relationships with companion animals among the rural elderly, in Katcher, A.H., Beck, A.M. (Eds.), New perspectives on our lives with companion animals. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, pp. 329-340.
• Nagasawa, M., Mitsui, S., En, S. (2015) Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds. Science. 348(6232), pp. 333-336.
• Ren, W., Zhang, Y., & Shenk, Y. (2024) ‘Human-dog interbrain neural coupling during social interactions: A study on synchronisation’, Advanced Science, [online] Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202402493 [Accessed 16 Sept. 2024].
• Rooney, N.J., Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2002) An experimental study of the effects of play upon the dog-human relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.75, pp.161-176.
• Smolkovic, I., Fajfar, M. and Mlinaric, V. (2012) Attachment to pets and interpersonal relationships: Can a four-legged friend replace a two-legged one?. Journal of European Psychology Students. 3(15), pp. 15-23.