Whether you recently discovered that you’ve been spending more time with your dog than with your family or friends, or you have been doing so for several years, it's always good to learn more about yourself. You know: gaining a deeper understanding of your life, your relationship with your pet and more. That said, everyone is different, which is why it’s important to talk with a mental health professional if you have concerns or if you find yourself seeking additional clarity about your traits and any circumstances you may be wondering about.
Related: Psychologist Says if You Give ‘People Names’ to Your Pets, You Likely Have These 7 Traits
What Do You Call a Person Who Prefers the Company of Dogs Over People?
While there isn’t a specific psychological or scientific term to describe people who prefer the company of dogs over humans, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, PsyD—a psychologist and clinical services instructor at Newport Institute—notes that many people (especially on the internet) have coined and have self-identified with the term “dogtrovert.” This is, of course, a cutesy play on the word "introvert" to be dog-centric (as they are).
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Dr. Dragonette and Dr. Joseph Laino, PsyD—who is a psychologist and assistant director at Sunset Terrace Family Health Center at NYU Langone—both note that many people who prefer the company of dogs over humans tend to be empathetic.
While these individuals are likely often able to feel for other humans in their life, “folks may feel a sense of empathy for their pets’ emotions and needs,” adds Dr. Laino.
2. Introverted
“Dogs offer a connection without the same level of demand,” explains Dr. Lira de la Rosa, who is a clinical psychologist at Columbia Health and media advisor for Hope for Depression Research Foundation. “You can be quiet, you can just sit together, and that still counts as a connection.”
“They’re often quite thoughtful observers of social dynamics, even if they don’t seek them out as often,” she adds.
“These individuals may have limited tolerance for small talk or impression management and gravitate toward interactions that feel more direct,” says Dr. Dragonette. “They’re often very aware of when something feels performative versus genuine.”
Related: People Who Sleep in the Same Bed as Their Pets Often Display These 10 Traits, Psychologists Say
4. They desire predictable relationships
“Life with a dog is relatively straightforward, simple and consistent: walking, feeding, playing, etc.,” says Dr. Jan Miller, PhD, a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks in Athens, GA. “This can provide the type of structure and reassurance that isn’t always found in human relationships.”
“As a result of being less complicated, relationships with our pets can be less conflictual than with humans, so people with a low tolerance for conflict may prefer relationships with pets,” he explains.
6. Nurturing
“They show care through actions, consistency, and attention,” explains Dr. Lira de la Rosa. “Caring for a dog fits well with that [as] it gives them a way to express that part of themselves without worrying whether it will be reciprocated.”
7. They need dominance and control
“This can be an adaptive way to exert dominance and control in relationships as it is more socially acceptable for a human to dominate and control, while the dog is submissive and obedient,” she explains.
Why Do Some People Prefer the Company of Animals Over People?
“They [pets] don’t criticize how we look, our weight, our material possessions, or our political opinions,” he explains. “They give us love freely without regard to those things.”
“Interacting with dogs can increase oxytocin, which supports bonding and helps regulate stress,” she explains.
Related: Psychologist Reveals People Who Always Say Goodbye to Pets Before Leaving the House Have These 7 Traits
“It becomes more clinically relevant if it starts to narrow someone’s world, if they’re withdrawing from necessary relationships, struggling to engage at work or school, or using that preference to avoid addressing something more difficult,” she explains.
Furthermore, Dr. Dragonette explains that sometimes this preference develops as a result of past trauma in human relationships or from dealing with social anxiety when connecting with others. When that is the case, these individuals can find a therapist who can help them work through their issues and help develop healthier relationships with humans and animals.
Related: 7 Traits of People Who Talk to Their Pets Like Humans, According to Psychologists
Sources:
Dr. Joseph Laino, PsyD, is a psychologist and assistant director at Sunset Terrace Family Health Center at NYU Langone.Dr. Jan Miller, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks in Athens, GA.Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, PsyD, is a psychologist and Clinical Services Instructor at Newport Institute.Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa is a clinical psychologist at Columbia Health and a media advisor for Hope for Depression Research Foundation.Hence then, the article about 7 traits of people who prefer the company of dogs over humans according to psychologists was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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