By Krista Halling DVM DACVS
In our fast-paced world, there are many science-backed benefits to pausing and taking a selfie with your dog. The point isn’t at all the photo – it’s what it does for you and your dog. Here’s why:
It forces a pause
Pausing interrupts what’s often a task-driven walk, and creates a shared still moment. It gives you a chance to appreciate both the scenery and your dog.
It keeps you in the moment
Dogs are highly sensitive to human attentional state. They can tell when you’re being present, and when you’re preoccupied. While taking a selfie, you’re focussing your attention on that act and engaging with your dog. This brings you ‘out of your own head’ and allows you to enjoy everything in that present moment – including your bestie.
It creates shared orientation
When you take a selfie, you often turn toward your dog, make eye contact, and put your arm around them. This multimodal engagement has several positive effects. In both you and your dog, eye contact and affectionate touch can increase oxytocin levels, regulate stress, and deepen your bond.
It increases positive affect
Smiling for the camera and having a relaxed tone improve not only your emotional state but your dog’s as well. Positive affect spreads bidirectionally – your smile travels down the leash.
It creates a positive shared memory
Behavioural science supports that when we document positive experiences, it increases emotional salience and our memory of the event. Therefore we’re not only documenting that selfie moment on our phone, but we’re cherishing it in our mind as well. Plus it’s a fun photo for you and your dog to look back on.
What if you’re not a good photographer?
Who cares. Your dog isn’t either. In fact, I’d say blooper shots are even better than ’perfect’ ones. Don’t focus on the photo itself – focus on the fact that you and your dog have a special moment to enjoy.
Do you need to post the selfie?
Nope – it’s not about the post. While posting it to social media may let you engage more with the memory, you’ll get the above benefits simply by taking the photo, regardless of whether it ever leaves your phone. In fact, some studies have found that if you’re preoccupied with the intention to share the photo, that may reduce your enjoyment of the actual experience. Don’t think about the post – think about the moment of togetherness with your dog.
So the next time you’re out with your dog – especially if you’re feeling rushed – pause and take a selfie with your bestie. That moment will matter.
About the author
Krista Halling is a veterinarian board-certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and creator of Dogpacking.com. She is also certified in the Human-Animal Bond and in Canine Physical Rehabilitation. Krista loves travelling and adventuring with River, her mini goldendoodle sidekick.
References
Nagasawa M, Mitsui S, En S, Ohtani N, Ohta M, Sakuma Y, Onaka T, Mogi K, Kikusui T. Social evolution. Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds. Science. 2015 Apr 17;348(6232):333-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1261022. Epub 2015 Apr 16. PMID: 25883356.
Virányi Z, Topál J, Gácsi M, Miklósi A, Csányi V. Dogs respond appropriately to cues of humans’ attentional focus. Behav Processes. 2004 May 31;66(2):161-72. doi: 10.1016/j.beproc.2004.01.012. PMID: 15110918.
Call J, Bräuer J, Kaminski J, Tomasello M. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are sensitive to the attentional state of humans. J Comp Psychol. 2003 Sep;117(3):257-63. doi: 10.1037/0735-7036.117.3.257. PMID: 14498801.
Alixandra Barasch, Gal Zauberman, Kristin Diehl, How the Intention to Share Can Undermine Enjoyment: Photo-Taking Goals and Evaluation of Experiences, Journal of Consumer Research, Volume 44, Issue 6, April 2018, Pages 1220–1237, https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucx112
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