Compatibility between Humans and Their Dogs: Benefits for Both

González-Ramírez, Mónica Teresa

doi:10.3390/ani9090674

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…In our sample, a moderate relationship between commitment and satisfaction with the dog was observed (T1: r = 0.37, T2: r = 0.42). As recently shown in [37], the beneficial effects of dog ownership are mediated by the positive effects of shared activities, such as walking or playing. Herwijnen et al [36] found no evidence that shared activities increased relationship satisfaction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Expectations Versus Reality: Long-Term Research on the Dog–Owner Relationship

Bouma

Vink

Dijkstra

2020

Animals

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In the framework of the early prevention of problems in the owner–dog relationship, it is important to have a broad perspective on the development of this relationship over time, starting before people actually acquire a dog. People who currently (or previously) own(ed) a dog can rely on their experiences when considering a new dog, while this knowledge is unavailable to first time dog-owners. In this study, we explore how self-efficacy, social comparison, perceptions about the (dis)advantages of ownership and commitment to the dog (so-called social cognitive factors), problematic canine behaviors, perceived costs, and satisfaction with the dog change over time. We examine changes from the motivational phase of relationship development (before acquisition of the dog) into the experience phase (six and twelve months after acquisition of the dog). We explore if patterns are different in experienced (previous (n = 73) and current (n = 80)) versus unexperienced (first time (n = 30) dog owners. The respondents filled in three online questionnaires—once before and twice after acquisition of their dog. From T0 (before acquisition of the dog) to T1 (having the dog for six months) participants (especially those with no ownership experience) had to adjust their perceptions about dogs and dog ownership. Experiencing the relationship for an additional year (from T1 to T2) barely changed the social cognitive factors, satisfaction, and perceived costs. A small decline in problematic canine behaviors was present among the experienced dog owners between T1 and T2. To conclude, perceptions about dogs and dog ownership change over time, but after testing these perceptions with reality, they become stable after about six months.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Expectations Versus Reality: Long-Term Research on the Dog–Owner Relationship

Bouma

Vink

Dijkstra

2020

Animals

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“…Behavior problems have been associated with greater ownership costs 22 – 24 , decreased ownership satisfaction 23 , decreased human-animal attachment 25 and poorer mental wellbeing among owners 24 – 26 . In contrast, compatibility between owners and their pets on key behavioral characteristics, such as enjoying exercise and getting along with peers, has been associated with greater ownership satisfaction and happiness, and decreased stress 27 , 28 . Research also indicates that caring for an animal with medical needs can increase stress and anxiety and reduce owners’ quality of life 29 – 31 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The impact of returning a pet to the shelter on future animal adoptions

Powell

Reinhard

Satriale

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Unsuccessful animal adoptions are stressful for many owners and may reduce their willingness to adopt again. The goal of this study was to determine the proportion of return owners who adopted post-return and investigate return characteristics that affected the likelihood of post-return adoption. We analyzed adoption records from a South Carolina animal shelter between 2015 and 2019 (n = 1999) using a logistic regression model including post-return adoption (binary) and return reason, species, animal sex and age. We found one in 10 individuals adopted from the shelter within 12 months of return, and post-return adoption was associated with return reason and species. Returns due to owner-related reasons, such as the owner’s health (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07, 0.57) or unrealistic expectations (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.19, 0.94) were associated with significantly lower odds of post-return adoption. Owners who returned due to the animal’s health exhibited four times greater odds of post-return adoption compared with behavioral returns (OR 4.20, 95% CI 2.37, 7.45). Our findings highlight the value of ensuring adopters’ expectations are aligned with the reality of ownership and minimizing adopter-animal behavioral incompatibility as unsuccessful animal adoptions can reduce the owner’s willingness to adopt again and may affect the adopter’s relationship with the shelter.

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“…It was observed how coexistence with a pet can awaken different feelings, such as joy [ 80 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ] and love, in their interaction with the subjects, with very high levels seen among those who live with a pet compared to those who do not. As for the feeling of protection, those living with a pet were more likely to feel protected than those who did not live with a pet.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction and Emotional Connection with Pets: A Descriptive Analysis from Puerto Rico

Aragunde-Kohl

Galán

Lázaro-Pérez

et al. 2020

Animals

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The study of human–animal interactions has become a prominent research field. The presence of pets in our daily lives has meant a change in the perception of our relationship with pets. One of the new lines of research that has opened up in this area analyzes the possible physical, emotional, and psychological benefits of a human–animal bond. In this context, two main objectives were pursued in this study, whose sample (N = 1436) was investigated in Puerto Rico: (PO1) determining the characteristics of the owners and the care of the pets within Puerto Rican society and (PO2) to analyzing the benefits of living with pets for health and personal well-being, especially at the psychological level. We sought to identify the feelings that arose in pet caretakers as a result of human–animal interactions. The methodology used, which was descriptive and not experimental, was based on a questionnaire of 86 questions with a Likert scale. After the descriptive analysis was undertaken through a frequency analysis, a binary logistic regression was carried out to establish whether the feelings and emotions of the subjects toward their companion pets were determined by sociodemographic variables and were related to the type of coexistence with their pets. The two main results from this study are as follows: for most owners, their pets are very important beings, and those who establish an emotional connection with their pets experience love, joy, and peace. Pets are part of human life through very intense relationships and interactions that, in most cases, increase personal welfare by providing improvements to the human–animal biopsychosocial system. In this sense, a relationship with a pet has a positive impact on the mental health of the owner. Pets are a part of our family lives and are regulators of the most elementary feelings and emotions in humans.

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Compatibility between Humans and Their Dogs: Benefits for Both

Cited by 11 publications

References 25 publications

Expectations Versus Reality: Long-Term Research on the Dog–Owner Relationship

Expectations Versus Reality: Long-Term Research on the Dog–Owner Relationship

The impact of returning a pet to the shelter on future animal adoptions

Interaction and Emotional Connection with Pets: A Descriptive Analysis from Puerto Rico

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