Robot dogs could be taught to mimic behaviours of real canines to make them more lovable

The number of photos on social media of puppy dog eyes and'zoomies' just goes to show how much we love everything our furry friends do. So much so that robot dogs could be taught our favourite canine quirks in order to make them more realistic - and loveable. Researchers at the University of Glasgow and Western Sydney University have identified seven categories of dog behaviours that owners perceive as important for bonding with their pets. These include'Physical Touch' and'Enthusiasm', with examples like resting their head on their master and giving them'kisses' when they come home. Neuroscientist Professor Emily Cross said: 'We know that human and pet connections have great benefits, knowing what qualities lead to these positive outcomes could help with the development of robots that can also portray these qualities.