Should You Always Pet Your Dog Before Going Out? What To Know

Leaving the house for work or errands can be a sad situation for you and your pup. As you head out the front door, you may notice your dog following behind you. Do you stop and say goodbye, or simply leave? Does it even matter to your canine companion? A 2018 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggests petting your dog before heading out could be the best approach for your pup — it may even reduce anxiety for some canines.

The study examined a sample size of 10 dogs who did not have a history of experiencing separation anxiety. Researchers placed each dog into two trials; one where their owner petted them before leaving, and one where they didn't. Afterward, the researchers measured changes in the canines' heart rates and the stress hormone cortisol. They discovered that petting prior to leaving decreased the dogs' heart rates and lowered stress levels for a short period after their owners' departures.

This research could play a role in furthering knowledge on how the human-animal bond affects our pets — especially dogs. It could also be useful for figuring out how being away from us affects anxiety and stress in dogs. However, there are some caveats to bear in mind. The research on whether owners should pet their canines before leaving the house remains limited, and the sample size of the dogs tested in this particular instance was very small. This is due to the fact that the research was a pilot, a type of study used to potentially pave the way for larger, more in-depth follow-up research — not to determine whether a particular approach actually works.

When your dog comes up to you and wags their tail or places their head in your lap, you may wonder if they truly enjoy the attention. While not all canines like being petted, it is rewarding to most. Actions such as pressing their head against your hands or showing you their belly are known as solicitation behaviors — meaning your dog is seeking out your touch and attention. These signs that your dog has bonded with you are good indicators that this is a beneficial experience for canines as well.

Dogs are social animals. A human's bond with their pup can also have a positive effect on a canine's health and welfare. However, this can also mean an increase in anxiety for some dogs that can lead to behaviors such as separation anxiety — especially when leaving the house. By setting up the 2018 petting study to examine canine's without separation anxiety, researchers were trying to see how this human-animal bond impacts dogs — and if taking measures to soothe a canine through an enjoyable behavior had any effect.

It's already been shown that petting a dog can have a beneficial effect on humans. This act lowers cortisol and increases oxytocin — the bonding hormone. The fact that the tested dogs had a measurable decrease in heart rate may indicate that petting has a positive effect on stress and anxiety for them as well; however, the results are by no means conclusive due to the limitations of the study.

While the study is promising, it's not a complete picture, as it only examined a small pool of non-anxious dogs. It also noted that more research is needed to test if petting before leaving has any benefit on canines with true separation anxiety. Further, it focused on testing non-visible measures of stress, heart rate and cortisol, rather than behavioral responses more commonly seen in separation anxiety, such as vocalization or destruction. Future testing of behavioral responses in addition to physical ones may be important.

The study also challenges some common training techniques and advice used for treating separation anxiety in dogs — namely, not making a big deal out of leaving or coming home. "If you think your dog has separation anxiety, you should talk to your vet, and potentially a veterinary behaviorist, about how to help your dog." Dr. Katherine Cronin, who explored the information in the 2018 study, stated. "For dogs without separation anxiety, petting dogs goodbye might actually keep them calmer while you're away."

Ultimately, the best course of action is to do what is best for you and your dog. If your non-anxious pup seems to respond well to having a few snacks and a pet goodbye, then there may be no harm in doing it. However, if your canine experiences separation anxiety, it may be best to forgo this ritual. Consider choosing a qualified dog trainer to help address any issues and keep your pooch comfortable instead.