How Dogs Become Bridges Between Us: The Power Dynamics of Child-Friend-Dog Bonds in Social Networks

A lot of individuals see their canine companions as part of the family, friends, or even surrogate children. However, do these bonds truly mirror those interpersonal connections we have with humans? To delve into this question, researchers at ELTE Eötvös Loránd University undertook an investigation aimed at understanding how exactly dogs fit within our social circles. They compared interactions between humans and dogs against typical human-to-human relational dynamics through the lens of 13 different relationship metrics.

The research indicated that the bond between an owner and their dog can be seen as a blend of parent-child dynamics and close friendships, incorporating all the favorable elements of parenthood without the adverse traits often found in typical friendships, along with significant control exerted by the owner over the dog.

Notably, even though pet owners frequently regard their connection with their dog as surpassing any human relationship, the research also revealed that greater support within human interactions is linked to increased support in owner-dog connections. This indicates that dogs enhance human relationships instead of filling gaps caused by inadequacies in them.

The bond between humans and dogs has significantly transformed since they were first domesticated. Initially valued mainly for their work abilities, these canines now serve as beloved pets, frequently seen as stand-in kids within numerous cultures in the West. Even though this change has occurred, we still lack substantial knowledge regarding the precise social functions that dogs play in our web of connections.

Human social networks comprise various connections that furnish differing types of support. For instance, romantic partners supply closeness and assistance, offspring present chances for care-giving and relational stability, whereas close friendships serve as low-conflict avenues for company. This research, which appeared in Scientific Reports examined how dogs' relationships measure up against those of humans.

More than 700 pet owners assessed 13 different relational traits concerning their dogs as well as four human companions: their offspring, significant other, nearest kin, and dearest buddy.

The findings indicated that owners considered their connection with their dog to be the most fulfilling aspect, and they viewed their dog as their primary source of companionship.

Owners also felt that their dog loved them the most among all partners. Moreover, similar to children, dogs scored high in nurturing and relationship security, and like best friends, had low levels of antagonism and conflict with their owners. However, there is also a greater power imbalance towards the owner in the relationship with dogs than with any human partner.

"Unlike in human relationships, dog owners maintain full control over their dogs as they make most of the decisions, contributing to the high satisfaction owners report. Compared to humans, the relationship with dogs involves few conflicts and minimal negative interactions. The power asymmetry, having control over a living being, is a fundamental aspect of dog ownership for many," explains senior author Enikő Kubinyi, Head of the Dept. of Ethology at the ELTE and head of the MTA-ELTE "Momentum" Companion Animal Research Group.

"The results highlight that dogs occupy a unique place in our social world—offering the emotional closeness of a child, the ease of a best friend, and the predictability of a relationship shaped by human control—revealing why our bonds with them are often so deeply fulfilling."

The study also examined how dog and human relationship ratings relate to one another and found that strong human relationships correlated with stronger bonds with dogs.

"We expected that people with weak human relationships would rely more on their dogs for support, but our results contradict this," says co-author Dorottya Ujfalussy. "In our sample, people did not seem to use dogs to compensate for the insufficient support in their human relationships."

However, the researchers note that their sample consisted of volunteers who were likely more satisfied with their relationships than the average dog owner. The study may therefore not fully capture the experiences of vulnerable individuals who rely more heavily on their dogs for emotional support.

Depending on what their owners require, dogs provide various forms of emotional and social support," says Borbála Turcsán, who led the study. "While some individuals look for companionship and enjoyment, others desire reliability and steadiness, and many just appreciate having something to nurture.

Instead of placing the dog-owner relationship into the predefined categories traditionally used in such studies—like "family member" or "pet"—the researchers introduced a new, multidimensional approach that better captures its complexity.

This model aids in grasping the role of dogs within our social interactions, potentially uncovering instances where individuals rely on canines to address emotional needs, and explaining why this connection often becomes profoundly strong for numerous people.

More information: Borbála Turcsán and colleagues explored the similarities and differences between dog-human interactions and human-to-human relationships. Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-95515-8

Furnished by Eötvös Lorand University

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