Still-face Effect in Dogs (Canis familiaris). A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Comparative Psychology
• Animal Behavior
• Human-Animal Interaction

Background:

• The Still-face Paradigm is a validated method for assessing infant emotion regulation and the mother-child relationship.
• Dogs share a close bond with humans, suggesting potential parallels in socio-emotional responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and characteristics of the Still-face effect in domestic dogs.
• To explore how disruptions in human interaction influence canine behavior.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory descriptive study design was employed.
• Beagle dogs were exposed to three phases: positive interaction, a still-face (no interaction), and reunion.
• Behavioral changes were observed and analyzed during each phase.

Main Results:

• Dogs displayed a significant decrease in affiliative behaviors during the still-face phase.
• No stress-related behaviors were observed during the still-face phase, contrary to initial expectations.
• A carry-over effect of the still-face phase was noted during the reunion phase.

Conclusions:

• Canine responses to a disrupted interaction pattern resemble those observed in human infants.
• The study provides novel insights into the socio-emotional dynamics of human-dog interactions.
• Further research is warranted to understand the nuances of the Still-face effect in dogs.