Owner psychological characteristics predict dog behavioural traits

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.

The Effects of Dog Behavioural Problems on Owner Well-Being: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions

“…Dodman et al [47] report that owner depression is associated with a tendency to use aversive or punitive training methods, and it has been suggested elsewhere that this might increase the risk of problem behaviour (e.g., [67]). It seems reasonable to suppose that there is a bidirectional relationship between dog behavioural problems and owner well-being [46]. Such a bidirectional relationship is also supported by the results of Barcelos et al's [23] longitudinal study, in which a higher frequency of behavioural problems was correlated with various aspects of poorer owner well-being (Tables 1-3).…”

“…In 12 of the behavioural studies reviewed, there was an association between dog behavioural problems and owner burden or mental health (Table 3). Anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation were the main mental health problems evaluated and found to be associated with dog behavioural problems [23,38,[46][47][48]. In addition, in a qualitative study with pet owners with recent experience of suicidal thoughts or behaviours, pet behavioural problems were perceived as a risk factor for these suicidal thoughts [28].…”

“…Two quantitative studies [23,46] found significant associations between fear/anxiety-related behaviours in dogs and worse eudaimonic well-being in their owners, such as lower self-esteem. In Buller and Ballantyne's [15] qualitative investigation, it was reported that owners of dogs with separation-related issues often struggle to manage their lives and social activities, as they feel the dog cannot be left alone at home for prolonged periods.…”

“…In terms of which behavioural problems appear most important regarding burden and mental health problems, aggression and fear/anxiety-related behaviours (e.g., fear of noises, separation-related problems) seem to be particularly triggering [23,[46][47][48]. Kuntz et al [19] report that bite history was linked with a higher caregiver burden score and, in Barcelos et al's [23] cohort study, owners of dogs who showed aggressive behaviours more often had more symptoms of depression and anxiety than other owners.…”

“…It is important to note that owner well-being might also affect the behaviour of their dogs through mechanisms such as emotional contagion or the way they interact with their dogs [46,47,64,65]. Indeed, Clarke et al [46] report that owners believe that their dogs are responsive to their mood, particularly to their anxiety and depression, with dogs being their 'mirrors' or 'shadows'. Handler depression and post-traumatic stress disorder have also been shown prospectively to predict dog behavioural problems [66].…”