From Science to Snuggles: How Dog is Love Sparked Doggee Club

Friends, family, and customers often ask why I started Doggee Club. The simplest answer is love—the endless affection I have for Inari, my sweet Australian Labradoodle, and the incredible amount of love she awakened in me.

But my perspective on dogs wasn’t always so open. 

When Inari first came into my home, I held onto firm ideas such as dogs should sleep in crates and dogs must stay off the furniture. I believed the relationship between dogs and humans was just about needs being met. However, Inari had ideas of her own. With her expressive eyes and soft whimpers, she made it clear that a life without morning snoozes in bed and evening cuddles on the couch was simply not going to work. I know I’m not the only one who found themselves happily giving in when their fur baby pushed for more closeness. It’s a beautiful realization that dogs crave connection. 

When I began reading Dog is Love by ethologist Clive Wynne, it put scientific language to what I was learning from Inari. Wynne walks readers through research studies on dogs, spanning from the early 20th century to today. He thoughtfully challenges some long-held beliefs, ultimately concluding that dogs do truly exhibit love. 

This perspective shift formed the foundation for Doggee Club. Here are four powerful insights from the book and how they come to life at Doggee Club. 

1. Dogs Deserve Better

There’s now science proving that our canine companions truly love us, and it’s only fair that we reciprocate that love. Wynne shares, “To be loved by a dog is a great privilege. May we prove ourselves worthy of it.” He observes that we unintentionally overlook our dogs’ expressions of love—brushing off a whimper, bark or a jump as a mere nuisance instead of understanding these behaviors as a genuine display of affection. Yet, dogs show love with their whole bodies - bursting with wild enthusiasm, shake with relief, and explode with happiness to meet someone new or be reunited with their beloved family member(s). Wynne claims that withholding love from our pups is as detrimental to their well-being as giving them unhealthy food or not taking them for walks or playtime. Beyond just physical care, our pups deserve daily moments of emotional connection that honors the depth of their love.  

At Doggee Club, we fully embrace this notion. In our thoughtfully designed space, dogs can be dogs - their physical and vocal expressions of love are celebrated. The happy chorus of barks and yips is truly music to our ears!

2. Dogs Crave Closeness

As dog parents, we all know how much our pups want to be near us. It often feels like there’s a furry shadow trailing behind from room to room. The scientific term for this behavior is called hypersociability. But according to Wynne, we can just call it love. 

Dogs are motivated and energized by their deep connection with humans. During sociability tests, researchers would give dogs the choice of being near a human or eating food. Consistently, the dogs chose the reward of receiving a loving pat over the sustenance of food. Another test measured the duration of time dogs chose to spend inside a one-meter circle where a human sat. Spoiler alert: it’s as much time as possible!

Leaving these social beings in an empty home without human companionship all day can be challenging. This is exactly where Doggee Club aims to offer support. We are a welcoming space designed for dogs to have meaningful social contact with other pups and humans. I know everyone in our community would be more than willing to offer extra butt scratches, belly rubs and ear massages to a dog yearning for more emotional connection. 

3. Science Says: They ARE Fur Babies

This next takeaway might be my favorite, especially because it’s science-backed. It validates why many of us instinctively refer to our beloved dogs as fur babies. 

In several studies, researchers have observed that the patterns of attachment behavior in dogs remarkably mimic those seen between infants and parents. The attachment infants feel toward their mom or dad shows in how they react when a parent leaves or returns. This very same dynamic, found in humans with secure attachments are often replicated in canine companions who perceive their owners as a safe base. 

Additionally, when humans and dogs look into each other’s eyes, the levels of oxytocin—often called the love hormone—rise in both species. This phenomenon closely parallels a mother gazing into her infant’s eyes, deepening their connection. 

Throughout his book, Wynne highlights how various biological markers within dogs demonstrate their care and concern for humans. He explains that these are the same indicators that fluctuate within our own bodies, reflecting our emotional states. Beyond these internal responses, a dog’s outward actions convey their concern for us. 

4. Leading With Love, Not Force

While I understand that training tools, such as pronged collars, are used with no ill-intent and many experienced trainers guide families to their use along with theories of alpha dog dominance, my personal journey and learning have led me to believe that there’s a gentler path. 

As the saying goes, “When we know better, we can do better,” and this is as true for me as it is for anyone. Modern science consistently shows that love—rather than physical force or intimidation—is a dog’s most powerful motivator. The outdated ideas of dominance and the alpha male role are not only archaic and ineffective, but they can also cause genuine anxiety and fear in our dogs, far beyond simple submission.

Wynne discerns in his book that benevolent leadership can coexist with love. He clarifies that the term dominance has associations with pain, coercion, and punishment. Yet, as loving guardians to our pups, we can use positive reinforcement and gentle reminders to foster learning and cooperation. Consider this incredible example: Researchers successfully trained dogs to stay completely still during MRIs to study brain activity—all using positive reinforcement. 

Wynne writes, “Dogs deserve leadership based on compassion, not aggression.” At Doggee Club, we live this belief. We promote positive reinforcement and are more than happy to share books, resources, and vetted (pun intended!) recommendations to guide you. 

Built on Love 

From their hearts to their everyday habits, dogs radiate an all-encompassing love for humans. You see it in the soft curvature of their mouths, the joyful rhythm of their tails hitting the floor, and the irresistible butt shakes. Inari, for instance, greets me with a smile each morning and every time I return home, even after a quick errand.

The profound science shared in Dog Is Love gives us the foundation we need to be the humans our dogs deserve. At Doggee Club, love is at the center of everything we do for the dogs and for the people who adore them.