Of Dogs and Bonds

Abstract

Dogs take on a number of roles in human lives, from free-ranging animals in our streets to companions in our homes and working and assistance animals throughout our society. The unique bond between dogs and humans has resulted in an explosion of interest and research on this species and their interactions with people. Yet there is not as much cross talk between researchers focusing on canine cognition and those studying canine-human interactions. The aim of the 69th Nebraska Symposium on Motivation was to bring together researchers from psychology, biology, neuroscience, anthropology, and social work to delve deeper into the canine-human bond. The authors in this book describe evolutionary, hormonal, and neuroscience perspectives for understanding dog behavior and cognition for both companion dogs and free-ranging dogs on the streets of India. We end with experts in canine-human interaction who report on the effects of interacting with dogs on the psychology and well-being of college students. Only by combining perspectives to study both ends of the leash can we truly understand our unique connection with dogs.