Congratulations! Science Confirms That Your Dog Loves You More Than Food And Other Dogs

An Emory University study reveals dogs’ brains light up most when smelling their owners, not food or other dogs. Researchers trained dogs to stay still in MRI scanners and exposed them to various scents.

The owners’ scent activated the caudate nucleus, the brain’s reward center, more strongly than any other. This suggests dogs prioritize their bond with humans above all else. Similar research in Budapest showed dogs respond strongly to happy human voices. Scientists say this deep emotional connection rivals the parent-child bond, explaining why dogs see humans as their true family.