In a new study, researchers found dog owners could change their pets’ personality.
This is because dogs, like people, have moods and personality traits which could shape how they react in certain situations.
When dog owners spend extra time scratching their dogs’ bellies, take their dogs out for long walks and games of fetch, dogs could feel the love and their personalities can be changed.
The research was conducted by a team from Michigan State University.
Previous studies have shown that human personality could change over time.
When people go through big changes in their life, their personality traits will be different.
In the current study, the team found this is true for dogs at a surprisingly large degree.
They surveyed owners of more than 1,600 dogs, including 50 different breeds.
All of the dogs ranged from just a few weeks old to 15 years and were split closely between male and female.
The surveys examined the dog’s personalities and the owners answered questions about the dog’s behavioral history. The owners also answered questions about their personalities.
The researchers found strong correlations in age and personality, in human-to-dog personality similarities, and in the influence a dog’s personality has on the quality of its relationship with its owner.
One finding is that dogs and their owners have similar personalities.
Extroverted owners tend to rate their dogs as more excitable and active. Owners high in negative emotions tend to rate their dogs as more fearful and less responsive to training.
Based on the results, the team found the optimal time for dog training. They also found a time in their lives that they can get more aggressive toward other animals.
For example, older dogs are much harder to train. The ‘sweet spot’ for teaching dog obedience is around the age of six.
In addition, fear and anxiety are personality traits don’t change with age in dogs.
The researchers also showed that dogs’ personalities could predict many important life outcomes.
Dog personalities will influence how close dogs feel to their owners, their biting behavior and chronic illness they may have.
The findings suggest that human have strong power to influence dogs’ personality.
In the future, the team plans to examine how the environment owners provide their dogs could change the dogs’ behavior.
This study is the largest study of its kind to examine changes in dogs’ personalities.
The lead author of the study is William Chopik, professor of psychology.
The study is published in the Journal of Research in Personality.
Copyright © 2019 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
Further reading: Journal of Research in Personality.
