10 Amazing Facts About The Bond Between Dogs and Their Families
1. Healthier Children in Dog Families
Kids that have been raised with dogs have been shown to have a lower risk of asthma, allergies, and immune disorders. In fact, studies have shown the improvements to a child’s health can begin while still in the womb, scientists aren’t sure why or how these effects happen.
2. Dogs and Puppies Can Help You Stay Focused
Keeping your phone loaded with pictures of your pet may pay off in the long run. In one 2012 experiment, people who looked at pictures of puppies scored higher on tasks that required their close attention. Photos of older dogs were less effective; the researchers say it might be that baby animals inspire a specific type of positive emotion and mental activation.3. Dogs Want to be Good Boys
Dogs are social animals; that’s part of the reason we were able to tame them in the first place. And once we take them in, they really start to care what we think. Experiments with dogs and their owners have shown that when given the choice between snacks and praise, most prefer being told what good dogs they are.
4. Dog Owners Have Less Tension And Stress
This one I’m sure we’ve all noticed, but spending time with dogs has also been shown to reduce tension and stress. These effects seem to work in conjunction with the amount of stress felt, leading to an even greater reduction in crisis situations and natural disasters.
5. Healthier Hearts for Dog Owners
It’s not only mental health dogs improve, but also heart health. This is another effect of the lower stress levels associated with owning a dog, but other benefits include lower blood pressure, lower heart rate and lower risk of heart disease. Having a dog literally makes your heart healthier.
