Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev
As human children mimic their parents, so do our fur babies. Dogs mirror many aspects of their humans, especially their personality traits. It is crucial to know that a dog’s personality must match who they end up with.
Dogs have been considered family for ages. Regardless of how you look at it, these fur babies have unique personalities. But at the same time, getting a dog has many things to consider, like a required level of matching energy. After all, dogs also have varying energy levels which may be the best or worst match for some people.
There’s also this known fact: “There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.” The that a dog’s personality is strongly linked to how their humans act towards them and others. We cannot blame a dog for its reactions because, in the end, they’re only animals who act on instinct. And it’s in their nature to react a certain way, especially when they’re at risk.
Fur babies with attitude
Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or a seasoned one, matching personalities with your pet is a significant step towards a rewarding, lifelong relationship. You can learn more about pet personalities in Yvonne’s book Dogs with Attitude. To all animal and pet owners who are aware of the essence of having a harmonious dynamic, this book is for you. These furry companions may be unable to talk and understand things as we do, but we can’t deny the joy they bring to our lives.
So how can a dog’s personality be traced back to its human? Is such a bond so strong that the human-dog relationship solidifies over time?
Studying the symbiotic relationship between humans and dogs
You might have heard stories about how dogs came into our lives throughout history. From wild wolves roaming free in the woods to domesticated canines, the evolution of dogs is genuinely fascinating. This bidirectional attachment heavily resembles a parent/infant relationship, down to the affection and attention are given to each other.
The dogs’ spectacular way of communicating with humans can be attributed to the equal benefits that they receive once the inseparable bond is created. While the human receives overall happiness and improved mental health, the dog gets food and shelter from outside factors that can be dangerous. However, the most significant benefit of this symbiotic relationship is both sides’ mutual love and trust.
Pet parents may not be aware, but some traits ultimately match their dogs, such as:
- Negative disposition
- Positive emotions
- Selflessness
- Creativity, curiosity, and openness
These personality dimensions are worth mentioning because we connect with our pets in such ways. It’s safe to say that it’s not just mere projection – there are traits, if not all, that both humans and pets share.
Where could this personality link come from?
The intertwined relationship between humans and their dogs could be attributed to the humans choosing their most compatible furry partner. People often choose dogs that best suit their preferences, specifically their lifestyle. Thus it became a screening requirement when shelters evaluate potential adopters so that the dog will eventually fit in the perfect forever home.
For starters, calm humans choose calm dogs, while active humans end up with hyper dogs. As much as this is given, pairing usually happens since humans tend to see themselves in the dog they’ve chosen. The subconscious decision-making leads them to pick the right dog to spend the rest of their days with.
The change in human-dog relationships
Who would’ve thought that a simple curiosity from a wild animal would evolve into a significant domestic relationship 15,000 years later? While the timeline seems debatable, it’s no surprise how far we’ve come regarding dogs’ impact on our world. Our furry pals have displayed numerous bizarre and fascinating evidence of their ability to understand human emotion, even our health conditions. Hence, we have dogs as beloved house pets, and working dogs also become a staple in one’s daily living.
The intensity of the dog’s response is measured by its closeness with its chosen human family. Even though we lack the superhuman capacity to recognize the cues sent by our dogs, they have their ways of emotional reciprocation. By lying next to you, putting their weight on you, making eye contact, nudging their wet nose, and even extending an empathic paw, dogs never fail to show they care.
Treasuring the human-dog bond
By sharing emotions and comfort, humans can give and take a certain amount of care and affection that can’t be found anywhere else. And just as how we believe that our fellow humans deserve empathy, kindness, and respect, the same should be applied to dogs. Let us respect their individuality without prejudice and admire them for who they are beyond breed or personality.
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