Dogs Prefer Petting to Vocal Praise
Get over here and pet me! That might be exactly what Fido’s thinking when you keep oohing and aahing over him from afar.
It’s no surprise that dogs like to be pet. What is surprising is that they seem to show no preference towards a person giving them vocal praise and a person who ignores them.
Researchers at the University of Florida tested whether dogs would prefer to be petted or given vocal praise, both from their owners and strangers. Turns out dogs love being pet, no matter whose doing the petting.
Shut up and pet me!
The first part of the trial included 42 shelter and pet dogs as they interacted one at a time with people in a laboratory room. One person would pet the dog, one would give verbal praise, and one would have no interaction at all with the dog. These interactions were recorded over eight three-minute intervals.
The second phase of the trial included 72 shelter dogs and pet dogs that were individually placed in a room with just one person; a stranger for the shelter dogs and the owner for the pet dogs. Again they were tested in eight three-minute intervals with the individual alternating between petting, praising, and no interaction at all.
The researchers found that the dogs showed more interest in the person petting them regardless of whether they were familiar or not. What they did find surprising was that the dogs showed no preference over the person giving verbal and the person having no interaction at all with the dog. Even when no alternative was available the dogs showed no preference towards the person giving verbal praise.
Why Do Dogs Love Petting So Much?
A previous study found that there’s a cardiovascular effect on dogs when they’re being pet. We’ve known that dogs have a soothing effect on humans for some time. Petting a dog has been found to decrease stress and lower blood pressure. Researchers are now looking into the physiological effects petting has on the dog. There’s been indicators that it has soothing effects on them as well.
There’s One Thing Dogs Love More Than Being Pet
The same researchers who concluded that dogs prefer petting over verbal praise have worked with dogs before. Previous research has indicated that both petting and food have reinforcing effects on dog behavior, they both support social behavior towards humans. In a previous study they found that dogs prefer food to petting.
Dogs were tested in five minute intervals. In session one the dogs were given both food and petting in continuously contingent on the dog staying near the person providing it. In the next three sessions they thinned out the food supply until it was finally depleted. The fifth session reverted back to a full food supply.
The dogs were tested in a familiar and unfamiliar environment, and the person alternated between the dogs owner and a stranger. In general the dogs showed a preference to the food over petting. When the food supply was being depleted the dogs were spending less time with the person providing it. As for the petting there were differences depending on the dogs familiarity with the person.
Dogs Prefer Petting More Than Previously Thought
“You’re such a good dog” might not be what your dog wants to hear, it seems to have little effect. She’d really appreciate a nice petting though.
It’s not going to keep me from talking to my dog, I spend a good amount of time talking to my dog. She seems like she enjoys it, maybe even finds some value in my words. Some people might think it’s crazy but I think a lot of dog owners would agree; we spend a good amount of time talking to them.
I’ll just make sure I pet her more; or better yet give her some nice homemade treats now and then.
Dogs prefer petting to vocal praise, but I’m still going to talk to my dog.
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This research definitely agrees with what I’ve observed.
And I also like talking to my dog. I don’t see myself stopping any time soon. But words mean so much less to dogs. I try to be aware of that when I go nattering on and on to Honey while walking.
Interesting to read about this study.
I think a mix of both is always good!
Interesting study. While I can’t deny my dogs love petting, they also like to be talked and sung to. Especially using their names.
Aw, I don’t sing to Laika; I don’t have a good voice for that. But if I did I would probably sing to her all the time.
Very interesting… I think Shiner likes to be petted more than talked to as well… But mostly because she likes scratchies when she is itchy lol. Then again, sometimes when I talk to her she listens very intently. If I talk in a certain voice she might even start wagging her tail.
They may prefer petting, but I know I can get Jack’s tail wagging just by talking to him.
Huh, very interesting. I talk to Rita a lot, including praising her when she behaves nicely. Will have to start working more pets into her rewards and see if that helps with her training. (But, yeah… Like you, I’ll definitely keep talking to her!)
I don’t see myself stopping, I still think she get’s something out of it 🙂
I think it also depends on whether or not you condition your dog to associate praise with good things. Because just “good boy” is meaningless but it often comes with treats and petting and other good things at our house!
Yeah I agree, I’d like to think if my dog took part in the study she’d spend more time with the person who gave verbal praise than one that ignored her. I hope so, at least.
I have to agree with Tenacious Little Terrier, I think if a dog gets a treat or petted when it gets praised, it associates the praise with the good thing and reacts more to praise. My dog definitely prefers a good belly rub over a ‘good girl’, lol! Interesting study and article.
Absolutely! I love it when mom is patting my head while saying “good girl.” Without the pats not so great. Love Dolly
I’d like it if my Mum was petting me, whilst telling me I’m a good boy and handing me a treat with her other hand! Tee Hee
I hope you’re having a fun day,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
I totally agree with you 🙂 The cuddling seems to have more impact if I softly say affectionate things like “Who’s my beautiful boy?” at the same time. He rewards me with soulful doe eyed looks and a gentle dog kiss.
I think that depends on the dog. Some dogs won’t even let you pet them in certain places. (Mine doesn’t like me petting his behind). https://esacare.com/emotional-support-animal-for-depression/If the dog is skittish it’ll probably prefer gentle pats where it can see you. Of course, just like us, all animals are different.