New Study Shows That Dogs Want To Rescue Their Owners If They’re In Trouble

 

    As dog owners, we are well aware of the unwavering loyalty our dogs display towards us. There has always been a strong belief that our canine companions would come to our aid in times of need. Thanks to a scientific study conducted by researchers at Arizona State University, there is now evidence supporting the idea that dogs may indeed be willing to rescue their owners.     Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study aimed to explore the motivations behind dogs acting to aid their owners rather than solely observing the rescue behavior. Researchers Joshua Van Bourg and Clive Wynne set up a scenario involving 60 dogs and their owners. The owners were placed in a box with a lightweight door that the dogs could move to "save" them. The owners simulated being in danger without using the dogs' names to avoid influencing the results.     In a crucial part of the study, the researchers observed how many dogs, out of the 60, would open the door in response to food motivation. The results revealed that approximately one-third of the dogs successfully rescued their owners, and a similar number opened the box for the food.     The findings led the researchers to consider that dogs might find the task of rescuing their owners as rewarding as obtaining food. Van Bourg emphasized that understanding each dog's ability to open the box is crucial, stating, "The key here is that without controlling for each dog’s understanding of how to open the box, the proportion of dogs who rescued their owners greatly underestimates the proportion of dogs who wanted to rescue their owners."     He further suggested that the fact two-thirds of the dogs were not motivated by food could indicate a deeper connection and motivation to rescue their owners. Van Bourg concluded, "Most dogs want to rescue you, but they need to know how."     The study provides scientific evidence supporting the notion that dogs' loyalty remains steadfast, especially when they perceive their owners to be in distress. It offers a comforting confirmation of the strong bond between humans and their canine companions.