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If you’re after a happier marriage, then maybe
you should start treating your husband like a
dog, says a psychologist.
“If more couples treated each other the
way most humans treat their pet dog, then
the quality of their relationship would soar
sky high,” says Dr Judith Meyerowitz, clinical supervisor
of America’s National Institute of Psychotherapists. She
has been studying the way animal experts teach owners
to deal with their dogs and suggests that there are many
parallels to be copied.
How a mutt can help your marriage
A dog can be a marriage’s best friend. In fact, the mere presence of a
dog in the room makes it easier for battling couples to work out their
differences, says Professor Alan Beck, director at the Centre of the
Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, Indiana. ”Dogs relax people
and reduce stress. When a dog calms a couple down, that alone helps
foster communication.”
His findings are based on a study of 30 married couples, all dog
owners. Some were happily married, and others had marital problems.
In the study, he gave each couple 20 minutes to resolve a marital
conflict while their dog was in the room. Then, for a further 20 minutes,
they tried to work out a problem with the dog in another room.
The results were quite striking. When the dog was present, the
couples were less tense and angry, and were better able to work out
their differences and resolve their problems. What’s more, heart rate
and blood pressure were lower with the dog present – especially in the
couples identified as “unhappy”.
“A dog adds a positive nature to the environment, so that people
unconsciously are more relaxed and open,” says Prof Beck. “People
like each other better in the presence of a dog or other pet. It’s due to
conditioning. We’re used to letting our guard down if we come home
and see the animals behaving normally. These things together help
couples work out their differences better.” |
