No abstract

There is extensive literature on the human-dog bond, less however on the role of owner psychological characteristics within this bond, and less still on how these might mediate dog behaviour. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between owner levels of depression, anxiety and self-esteem and dog behaviour. Multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the predictive power of the psychological variables on dog behaviour using self-report. Conceptual content analysis was performed on three open questions to assess owner beliefs regarding their psychological influence on their dogs’ behaviour. 497 responses were collected. Anxiety and depression positively predicted increased levels of dog attachment and attention-seeking (p = < 0.001; p = 0.006), separation-related behaviour (p = < 0.001; p = < 0.001), stranger-directed aggression (p = < 0.001; p = < 0.001), stranger-directed fear (p = < 0.001; p = < 0.001), non-social fear (p = < 0.001; p = 0.01), dog-directed fear (p = 0.01; p = 0.01), touch sensitivity (p = < 0.001; p = < 0.001) and excitability (p = 0.004; p = < 0.001). Decreased self-esteem predicted dog non-social fear (p = 0.01). Fourteen themes were identified, including strong perceived bond, emotional dependency and anthropomorphism. Whilst only minimal within the vast interplay of factors impacted in canine ethology, owner psychological functioning plays a significant role in dog behaviour via numerous routes including interaction, emotion contagion and attachment. Understanding owner influence on dog behaviour can improve behaviour modification programmes, success of rehoming schemes, and improve wellbeing for both members of the human-dog dyad.

Refusal to load into a trailer or horsebox is a commonly seen behaviour in equines and one which is experienced by laypersons and professionals alike. Transportation of equines is highlighted as a prevalent welfare problem facing UK equines during a recent study. Problems with loading and travelling may occur in any equine at any life stage and may appear as significant issues from the first performance or develop gradually over time, increasing in frequency and intensity of their performance. These issues are likely to be maintained or worsened by repeated exposure to the travelling process and the use of inappropriate methods to attempt to resolve them. Behaviourally these problems present in a variety of ways including signs of stress, displacement and high levels of negative arousal. To fully understand the motivation for the behaviours identified, it is important that social, biological, psychological and functional analyses of the behavioural performance should be considered. Within this, there is also the element of learning, which is a constant aspect of the antecedent, behaviour and consequence continuum. Treatment protocols for travelling related issues should be holistic in nature to address the environmental, social, biological and psychological elements of the behavioural response. Information © The Author 2023