LAUSR

The neurohormone oxytocin is known to exert a special function in the regulation of social relationships throughout vertebrate taxa. Recently it has been discovered that not only within-species, but in certain cases, between-species social bonds are also mediated by the same hormone, e.g. in case of the dog�human relationship. However, despite the exponential growth of findings at the behavioural level, there are still a lot of controversies on the biochemical assessment of oxytocin in canine samples. Thus, in the current study we replicate previous findings of canine serum oxytocin increase following a positive dog�human interaction. We provide a detailed description of both the immunoassay method used as well as the behavioural protocol (including crucial time-parameters). This will serve as a base for further studies that both our group as well as others in the field will conduct.