The Role of Oxytocin in the Dog-Owner Relationship.

ABSTRACT: Oxytocin (OT) is involved in multiple social bonds, from attachment between parents and offspring to "friendships". Dogs are an interesting species in which to investigate the link between the oxytocinergic system and social bonds since they establish preferential bonds with their own species but also with humans. Studies have shown that the oxytocinergic system may be involved in the regulation of such inter-specific relationships, with both dogs and their owners showing an increase in OT levels following socio-positive interactions. However, no direct comparison has been made in dogs' OT reactivity following a social interaction with the owner vs. a familiar (but not bonded) person, so it is unclear whether relationship type mediates OT release during socio-positive interactions or wheth

SUBMITTER: Marshall-Pescini S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6826447 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature