Americans Confess – Wags Not Words!

New Survey by Pup-Peroni® Reveals that the Majority of Canine Pet Parents Believe They Can Communicate With Their Dogs (wags not words, Perhaps Even Better Than With Their Human Best Friends

A new survey, commissioned by Pup-Peroni® dog snacks, asked canine pet parents across the country about the ways in which they communicate with their canine best friends. The survey found that, despite the obvious
language barrier, dogs and their pet parents understand each other. Nearly three in four (74 percent) pet parents surveyed report that their pooch’s body language (wags not words) or facial expressions let them know how their pet is feeling, while seven in ten (70 percent) believe they have “shared a look” with their dogs on at least one occasion. Additionally, more than a third (34 percent)
report that at least once, they’ve had an entire “conversation” with their dogs without saying a word, highlighting that when it comes to the human-canine relationship, wags speak louder than words.

You know how I feel about my Little Orphan Annie, she is my only girl, after-all .  So, when Del Monte Foods asked me to post about their survey, I agreed.  The results of their survey was staggering and I was really curious what my pet owner, readers think!  I was nodding my head along with most of the statistics!  You?

Survey Facts

Woof is NOT the Word:

• Many dogs and their human best friends find it more effective to communicate without speaking. Almost three in four (74 percent) respondents believe their dog’s body language or facial expressions better indicate how their pet is truly feeling than barks or other sounds
• More than a third (34 percent) of respondents report that at least once, they’ve had an entire “conversation” with their dog without saying a word
• Seven in ten (70 percent) respondents say there have been times when they “shared a look” with their canine companions
• Nearly three in four canine pet (74 percent) parents surveyed say that not having to talk if they didn’t feel like it is why they would prefer the company of dogs

Dr. Weimaraner:

• Americans are confident about the relationship they share with their pooches, estimating that they know what their dog is thinking nearly half (49 percent) of the time
• Overwhelmingly, 89 percent have sensed that their furry friends have tried to comfort them during times of need, according to our survey
• Survey results indicate that dogs must be a miracle cure as dog parents report that an hour spent with their pooches make them feel:
  • Happy (75 percent)
  • Relaxed (72 percent)
  • Loved (63 percent)
  • Energetic (22 percent)
• The majority of pup parents (59 percent) surveyed think they have the same personalities as their dogs

Partner or Pawtner?

• When not at home, a third (33 percent) of pet parents surveyed admit they miss their dog more than they miss their significant other
• Out of those dog parents in romantic relationships, 37 percent say that their canine pals pick up on their feeling quicker than their human partners
• More than six in ten (61 percent) dog parents surveyed believe their dogs are quicker to catch on to their daily routines than their sweethearts
• A whopping 89 percent say that their pooches are typically more excited to greet them than their significant others

Best Furiends Forever:

• Surprisingly, 62 percent of canine parents surveyed believe their pups are more dependable than their human best friends
• More than four in ten (40 percent) say that their dogs are more likely to notice that they’ve had a bad day than their best friend
• When having a bad day, almost three in four (72 percent) pup parents would rather blow off steam by taking a walk with their canine pals then their human best friends
• More than two in three confess that when they’re out of town, they’re far more likely to feel guilty about the pooches they leave behind than friends or family

Survey Methodology

The wags not words survey was conducted by Kelton Research in January 2010 via an email invitation and an online survey to 1,001 American dog owners ages 18 and older. Findings in this report have a margin of error of +/-3.1%.

About Kelton Research

Kelton Research is a full service market research consultancy with offices in Los Angeles and New York.  Kelton serves as a strategic partner to both Fortune 500 corporations and smaller companies, utilizing a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to drive tactical recommendations for clients. For more information about Kelton’s services, please visit www.keltonresearch.com