Using newly discovered behavioral patterns to investigate relationships

The first paper in this issue, Pirrone et  al. (2017) deals with a subtly key issue in canine cognitive and evolutionary research: synchronous behavior. While the authors focus on social synchrony – coordination of behavioral activities and attendant responses – between handlers and dogs involved in animal-assisted activities, gaze sy nchrony, touch synchrony and joint attention are the factors that people enjoy in pet dogs and that make humans feel that their dogs understand them. That dogs are both profoundly interested in and take the initiative to engage in these behaviors are likely key facets affecting how dogs evolved with in collaborative human relationships.
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research