In today’s Wall Street Journal, Susan Pinker shares the results of a 2019 study led by Lauren Powell, now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. The study looked at whether getting a dog improved the owner’s activity level, cardiovascular health, and psychological state.
On the physical side, owning a dog did not seem to do much for the activity level or cardiovascular health of the dog owners. The results showed that after three months, people with dogs walked 2,589 more steps a day than the control groups. “But at eight months there was a drop-off, so the difference was no longer significant,” said Dr. Powell, speculating that “people were really excited at first, but maybe the novelty wore off.”
However, dog ownership seemed to have a positive effect on the psychological health of the owners. The researchers found that the loneliness in the group that got a dog decreased by 40% and stayed at that lower level at eight months, according to Dr. Powell.
But how exactly do dogs make us happier? In a previous study, Dr. Powell’s group had shown that owning a dog promotes the flow of oxytocin, a hormone that decreases our heart rate and fosters feelings of well-being and relaxation. Plus, she adds, dogs “encourage their owners to get out in nature, maintain a sense of routine, and stay in touch with their neighbors. All the things that benefit our mental health in normal times are just more important during Covid.”
As a dog owner, that’s great news.
But I think a more interesting study, but certainly more challenging, would be to measure the happiness level of a dog once it becomes part of a household. I would hypothesize that its oxytocin levels explode, and have only gotten higher during COVID…
Talk about a symbiotic relationship…
🙂 What Ms. Pinker forgot to mention was that dogs see to it that we get extra exercise when we run after them while they are running after a squirrel.
Loneliness, in my opinion, is a state of mind because someone can be among a large crowd of people and possess a sense of loneliness.
LikeLiked by 2 people
and loneliness can lead to lots of health problems, so if dogs can help reduce loneliness, there are other benefits as well…
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Agreed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It may be true that dogs alleviate loneliness, but I feel skeptical about studies like this. When they say loneliness decreased by 40%, I wonder how they quantified that. Through questionairres? I don’t think it’s possible to quantify something that’s as intangible and subjective as the notion of “loneliness,” and so I think studies like this are best taken with a large grain of salt.
Nonetheless, I do agree that its safe to say that most dogs are very happy to be adopted.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am guessing the metrics were based on self-reported measures of well-being, which is always subjective.
But I do feel 10% better after reading your comment…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only 10%? Geez, I put 50% of my best effort into that comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s more effort than I put into my blog posts…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Darn. Well, I took a motivational course that was discounted at half price.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that would be a good motivation to buy such a book…
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a lifelong dog owner, I’m going to agree with the psychological component. I’ll trade the occasional naughtiness for unconditional love any day of the week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is a good trade-off!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They should study if these studies affect the happiness of the researchers. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think as long as it gets published, they are happy…
LikeLike
Like others I think the companionship a dog provides is a sure fire way to improve your psychological state. That seems like the only reason to get a pet as opposed to a watchdog or service animal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and it seems like a more enjoyable reason…
LikeLike
If you don’t think that owning a dog has any impact on your psychological or physical health, then you have likely never owned a dog. Almost any pet encourages a feeling of being needed and loved. How can that not have a positive impact on your mental health? Great post Jim!
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks, Brad. How true, dogs do offer unconditional love…
LikeLike
I’ve considered getting a dog since moving into my house last year. This just give me more reasons to head to the shelter 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you the best with your decision!
LikeLiked by 1 person
this all makes so much sense. I’m a happy cat owner, soon to rescue another baby kitty, to be a companion for my current kitty, it will be a plus for all of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
have fun with your rescue; I am sure your current kitty will enjoy the company…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure she will once she sees he/she will be a friend and not an enemy )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am guessing there will be a “getting to know you” period…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if there is a corresponding survey for cats? Presumably they’d need to get the cats to answer it, rather than the people who think they own them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dogs have masters…..cats have staff.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My point exactly 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
good point… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good dog can make an ordinary life extraordinary
LikeLiked by 1 person
well said, Ray!
LikeLike
To the skeptics out there that are not sure how to quantify loneliness. One measurement you can take is the size of the hole in your heart after you lose a dog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
they do become a part of us…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Used to have a dog. Walked him a lot until he became too old. Now I try to walk my Doug. He’s not as eager as the dog was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
maybe you can train him with snacks…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or beer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that would work on me…
LikeLiked by 1 person
After lockdown, our dogs suffered from separation anxiety when we returned to work. They are certainly happier when we are home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure dogs loved the lockdown…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has been proven in many studies now with both dogs and cats that they do provide us with many health benefits. And no other animal, apparently, provides the same benefits as dogs and cats.😁😺
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, cats and dogs are unique in that way, and we benefit…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most definitely we do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As Steve said, cats give the same effect, except of course dog will force those lazy bums to get off the sofa and get out for fresh air because it’s one of the ways to keep the dogs happy, which in turn makes the owner better and healthier and so the cycle repeats haha 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, some people are cat people, and some are dog people. but good point about dogs making it more likely that you ill go for a walk outside, and all the benefit you would get from such an activity…
LikeLike
I’m a cat person, but I adore dogs too (all animals except for few insects) and I have to admit more dogs are loyal than cats 😹
LikeLiked by 1 person
that would be my impression of dogs as well. I could do without snakes and alligators…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That I can relate haha 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have owned dogs my whole life and can’t imagine being without one! They are great companions. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, 99.99% of the time 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha. Great sign off, jim. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks, Peter! cheers…
LikeLiked by 2 people