BEST: Human’s best friend - The emotional synchrony of human-dog social interaction (BEST)
Main funder
Funder's project number: 341092
Funds granted by main funder (€)
- 447 650,00
Funding program
Project timetable
Project start date: 01/09/2021
Project end date: 31/08/2026
Summary
Today, dogs are members of human families. The number of pet dogs in Finland exceeds the number of human inhabitants of the capital, and annually, more pedigree dogs are registered than human infants are born in Finland. Why do we turn to dogs so eagerly—what are the processes behind the across-species friendship? This project examines the mechanisms, synchrony and individual modulators of human-dog interaction with complementary research methods, using behavioral studies as well as physiological measurements with both humans and dogs. The modulatory effects of both dog and human characteristics on human-dog interaction are also examined. As a whole, the project aims in bridging the methodological gap in comprehending human and non-human animal minds.
Principal Investigator
Primary responsible unit
Follow-up groups
Related publications and other outputs
- Comparison of activity trackers in estimating canine behaviors (2024) Kujala, Miiamaaria, V.; et al.; A1; OA
- Olfaction in the canine cognitive and emotional processes : From behavioral and neural viewpoints to measurement possibilities (2024) Berg, Päivi; et al.; A2; OA
- Matters of development and experience : Evaluation of dog and human emotional expressions by children and adults (2023) Törnqvist, Heini; et al.; A1; OA
- Modulation of dog–owner relationship and dog social and cognitive behavior by owner temperament and dog breed group (2023) Kujala, Miiamaaria V.; et al.; A1; OA
- Dog–Owner Relationship, Owner Interpretations and Dog Personality Are Connected with the Emotional Reactivity of Dogs (2022) Somppi, Sanni; et al.; A1; OA
