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Simple Summary: It is widely acknowledged that dogs synchronise their behaviours with those of humans. In this article, we delve into the neural and cognitive bases of this form of behavioural adjustment. Using knowledge of cerebral processes underlying behavioural synchronisation in humans, namely motor resonance and the activation of mirror neurons, we investigated whether dogs' behavioural synchronisation with humans could be based on similar mechanisms. In humans, both perceiving and executing an action activate the motor representations of that action. Motor resonance occurs when motor representations of an action are simultaneously activated in both the observer and the individual being observed. Mirror neurons are the neural substrate for motor resonance as these motor neurons activate both when an individual performs or perceives an action. Our review of existing literature shows that motor resonance could occur in dogs, suggesting that dogs' behavioural synchronisation with humans relies on the activation of both human and canine mirror neurons. Behavioural studies suggest but do not prove the existence of motor resonance between the two species, and thus further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis. Revealing the mechanisms underlying dogs' behavioural synchronisation with humans would contribute to a better understanding of how dogs and humans have evolved together since the beginning of their cohabitation. Dogs' behavioural synchronisation with humans is of growing scientific interest. However, studies lack a comprehensive exploration of the neurocognitive foundations of this social cognitive ability. Drawing parallels from the mechanisms underlying behavioural synchronisation in humans, specifically motor resonance and the recruitment of mirror neurons, we hypothesise that dogs' behavioural synchronisation with humans is underpinned by a similar mechanism, namely interspecific motor resonance. Based on a literature review, we argue that dogs possess the prerequisites for motor resonance, and we suggest that interspecific behavioural synchronisation relies on the activation of both human and canine mirror neurons. Furthermore, interspecific behavioural studies highlight certain characteristics of motor resonance, including motor contagion and its social modulators. While these findings strongly suggest the potential existence of interspecific motor resonance, direct proof remains to be established. Our analysis thus paves the way for future research to confirm the existence of interspecific motor resonance as the neurocognitive foundation for interspecific behavioural synchronisation. Unravelling the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying this behavioural adjustment holds profound implications for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of dogs alongside humans and improving the day-to-day management of dog–human interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs are sensitive to human social signals directed towards them. In this study, we investigated how this direct sensitivity affects dogs' behavioural synchronization. To do so, we compared two experimental groups: an unfamiliar person either synchronized their locomotion with that of each dog for 15 minutes for the first group (n = 16) or desynchronized their locomotion with that of each dog for 15 minutes for the second group (n = 16). We then compared the dogs' locomotor synchronization with the unfamiliar person and the dogs' gaze behaviour during a straight-line walk. Dogs were off leash throughout the entire procedure, the owner was present but neutral and static during the whole procedure, except for 9 dogs who remained inactive for too long during the 15-minute period, requiring owners to briefly intervene to re-engage them in activity. We found that dogs from the first group engaged less in social referencing towards the unfamiliar person during the 15 minutes, and synchronized more with them and tended to go to their owner later during the straight-line walk compared to dogs from the second group. We thus demonstrated that dogs, upon perceiving behavioural synchronization from an unfamiliar person, reciprocate with behavioural synchronization towards this person, thereby elucidating for the first time motor contagion at the interspecific level. Also, since dogs usually synchronize their behaviour only with familiar humans, our findings suggest that synchronizing with dogs, by maintaining a proximity of 1 m and an average speed difference of 0.2 m/s, is a way of becoming familiar with them. We thus offer a valuable tool, applicable in various daily situations in which the owner is present, to facilitate familiarization between dogs and unfamiliar people, without the need for food or direct contact with dogs. • Dogs are sensitive to 15 mn of human synchronizing their walk with them. • GPS data show dogs' sensitivity impacts their behaviour when walking with the human. • Unfamiliar human synchronizing to dogs increases dogs' synchronization to the human. • Unfamiliar human synchronizing to dogs delays the owner's social attraction effect. • Interspecific motor contagion occurs when dogs perceive behaviours directed at them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]