PETS Gazing at your dog can connect your brains – study

Recent research suggests that dogs' and humans' brains synchronise when they look at each other.

- Jacqueline Boyd

This research, conducted by researchers in China, is the first time that "neural coupling" between different species has been witnessed.

Neural coupling is when the brain activity of two or more individuals aligns during an interaction. For humans, this is often in response to a conversation or story. Neural coupling has been observed when members of the same species interact, including mice, bats, humans and other primates.

This linking of brains is probably important in shaping responses during social encounters and might result in complex behaviour that would not be seen in isolation, such as enhancing teamwork or learning.