SMILE: Your Dog Loves It

Here’s a reason to smile at your dog besides the fact they just sneezed in their sleep: apparently, it makes their brain happy.

Researchers at the University of Vienna trained 14 very patient dogs to lie still in an MRI scanner while they looked at human faces showing happiness, anger, fear, and sadness. And the happy faces? Those lit up the dogs’ reward center—the same part of the brain that reacts to snacks, praise, and the scent of someone they know.

So yes, your dog may genuinely get a little emotional paycheck every time you grin at them.

The dogs could tell a positive expression from the negative ones, although anger, fear, and sadness apparently all landed in the same “human is being weird” folder.

Bottom line: treats are great, but a smile might be a bonus biscuit for the brain. Even if it’s a random dog on the sidewalk. Just maybe don’t overdo it and become that person.

More on this study published in the journal iScience.

Photo by Yusuf Onuk on Unsplash