And this, in turn, may improve people's psychological wellbeing. The duo carried out a range of experiments where a person recorded the social encounters they had when they walked out with and without a dog. McNicholas and Collis also report that the extent to which a dog acted as a 'social catalyst' varied depending on the type of relationship the experimenter had with the people they encountered. A dog seemed to have the greatest impact with strangers. Interactions with acquaintances were more than twice as likely when someone was with a dog.
Friends are only slightly more likely to approach a dog-walker.
Neither the dog nor handler initiated these experimental encounters but the researchers speculate that both the walker and dog were seen as being very approachable. The duo also investigated whether the appearance of the dog and experimenter had any affect on these interactions. A canine pal, it seems, breaks down some of the social barriers that exist, at least in Britain, especially in striking up casual conversations with strangers. This shows, the researchers conclude, that a dog can have a strong, positive influence on its owner's social life. What better reason to put your coat on and take Rover for a walk.