Grade Level: High School
Subject: Biology, Psychology, Ethics
Objectives:
- Students will learn about the scientific research on dogs’ emotional capacities and attachment behaviors.
- Students will analyze and discuss the implications of recognizing dogs’ emotional needs.
- Students will explore ethical considerations in how we treat and care for dogs.
— Ann S. Michaelsen (@annmic) May 7, 2024
A big part of the dog’s evolutionary history is down to two things: the survival of the fittest and the survival of the friendliest. A struggle for life; a struggle for love. It’s all written in the deep history of dogs.
Callie, trained by neuroscientist Prof Gregory Berns, became a key figure in animal cognition research. Her successful fMRI training led to discoveries about canine emotions, revealing that dogs’ brains respond to joy similarly to humans, with pleasure centers activating at the sight, smell, or thought of their human companions.
- Introduction:
- Engage students by asking them about their experiences and observations of their dogs’ behaviors.
- Introduce the central question: Can dogs truly love their human companions? See key points below.
- Article Reading and Discussion:
- Distribute the article found here or project it on the screen.
- Have students read the article.
- Facilitate a discussion using guiding questions:
- What scientific evidence does the article present about dogs’ ability to form attachments and experience emotions?
- How does the article explain the role of genetics in shaping dogs’ social behavior towards humans?
- What ethical considerations are raised by recognizing dogs’ emotional capacities?
- Analyzing Dog Behaviors :
- Divide students into small groups.
- Assign each group one or two of the “5 ways to know if your dog loves you” behaviors from the article.
- Have groups discuss and analyze the significance of these behaviors in the context of the article’s findings.
- Invite groups to share their analyses with the class.
- Ethical Considerations:
- Lead a class discussion on the ethical implications of recognizing dogs’ emotional needs.
- Prompt students to consider questions such as:
- How should our understanding of dogs’ emotional capacities influence the way we treat and care for them?
- What ethical responsibilities do we have towards dogs as their guardians or companions?
- How can we balance human needs and interests with the emotional well-being of dogs?
- Reflection and Wrap-up :
- Have students write a brief reflection on what they learned and how it may impact their perspective on their relationship with their dogs or other pets.
- Encourage students to continue exploring the topic and considering ways to prioritize the emotional well-being of dogs in their communities.
Essay questions
- Critically examine the ethical implications and responsibilities that arise from recognizing dogs’ emotional needs, and consider how our treatment and care of dogs should potentially change as a result.
- Explore the specific proposal of shifting from an “ownership” model to a “guardianship” model that prioritizes dogs’ emotional well-being, evaluating the merits and challenges of such a change and its potential impact on various stakeholders.
Key points:
- Historically, there was a debate about whether animals, including dogs, could experience emotions like love or if they were just automatons.
- Modern research shows that dogs form strong attachments to their human companions, exhibiting behaviors and brain activity similar to the parent-child bond in humans.
- The hormone oxytocin, associated with love and bonding in humans, also surges in dogs when interacting with their owners.
- Genetic studies reveal that dogs have mutations in specific genes that contribute to their hypersocial behavior and ability to form close bonds with humans.
- Brain scans of dogs like Callie demonstrate that their pleasure centers are activated not only by food rewards but also by the presence and scent of their owners, suggesting a deep attachment.
- While the debate continues about using the term “love,” the evidence points to dogs experiencing emotions akin to love and attachment towards their human companions.
- The article suggests that recognizing dogs’ emotional capacities may necessitate rethinking our relationship with them and prioritizing their emotional well-being.
5 ways to know if your dog loves you
- Soft eye contact
- Big wags
- Naps and laps
- Licking
- Saying hello
