Study: People act a lot like their dogs

We’ve all heard the old cliché that people look like their dogs.

But would it surprise you to learn that people and their dogs tend to socialize, eat and learn new skills in very similar ways, too?

According to the “Natural Balance Canine Personality Study” — a survey of 1,015 U.S. dog parents conducted by Natural Balance Pet Foods in conjunction with Learndipity Data Insights — Americans tend to love dogs who they perceive to be just like them.

PEOPLE CHOOSE
DOGS WHO ACT
JUST LIKE THEM

Sixty-six precent of extroverted people have extroverted dogs and there’s a 65 percent chance that an introverted dog will have an introverted human parent.
If you’re a choosy eater, your dog is three times more likely to be one as well.
If you identify as a lifelong learner, then there’s a 72 percent chance your dog will be good at learning new tricks.

DOGS DISPLAY
COMPLEX EMOTIONS, JUST LIKE WE DO

Dogs’ personalities are highly nuanced and pet parents believe that dogs experience many emotions that are all too familiar to humans.
If you’re hurt or late coming home, then you’re likely to believe, as 90 percent of all dog parents do, that your pup is worried about you.
Seventy-nine percent of dog owners say dogs can feel embarrassment and 93 percent are certain they’ve seen their dog smile.

DOGS STRONGLY INFLUENCE THE EMOTIONS OF THEIR HUMAN PARENTS

According to 79 percent of dog parents, their dogs consciously and actively attempt to comfort them.
Fifty-five percent report that their dog looks at them with loving eyes that communicate deep emotion.
Fifty-two percent say their dog is able to accurately sense when they are sad.