Variability in Human-Animal Interaction Research

Abstract

The field of Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) is plagued with mixed results. Some findings appear to indicate that interacting with a companion animal is beneficial for some aspect of human health and well-being, while other research outcomes are inconclusive or even indicate the opposite. The purpose of this paper is to take a closer look at this variability in research outcomes and to provide plausible explanations and potential remedies. Some of the reasons for mixed results are likely due to the wide variety of methodologies implemented, intermittent use of standardized measures and manualized protocols, variability in human and animal participants, and limited quantification of human-animal interactions or definitions of pet ownership. Variability in research outcomes is not unique to HAI and is, in fact, not uncommon in many more established fields such as psychology and medicine. However, the potential reasons for the variability may be linked to the unique nature of HAI in that, in its' simplest form, it involves two complex organisms, a human and an animal, interacting in dynamic ways. We argue that this complexity makes research in this field particularly challenging and requires a broad spectrum of theoretical and methodological considerations to improve rigor while ensuring the validity and reliability of conclusions drawn from study results.

Carrots versus sticks: The relationship between training methods and dog-owner attachment

“…Dogs trained with reward-based methods played more in the presence of the owner as compared to the stranger, and they greeted and followed the owner more than the stranger, although these differences were found only for one procedure order. Hence, using a standard and well-validated method for the assessment of dog-owner attachment (see Rodriguez et al, 2018), the present study points to a relationship between training methods and dog-owner attachment.…”

“…The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between the use of aversive and rewardbased training methods and dog-owner attachment, using the Ainsworth Strange Situation Test, Version: Postprint (identical content as published paper) This is a self-archived document from i3S -Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde in the University of Porto Open Repository For Open Access to more of our publications, please visit http://repositorio-aberto.up.pt/ A01/00 recognized as the standard behavioral test of attachment (see Rodriguez et al, 2018), and an objective assessment of the methods used to train the dogs, through the observation of training sessions at the schools from where the dog-owner dyads were recruited. We hypothesized that dogs trained with different methods would display differences in attachment-related behaviors during the ASST.…”

Dogs Supporting Human Health and Well-Being: A Biopsychosocial Approach

“…First, the field of HAI has been plagued by mixed findings in which some research suggests that dogs have beneficial effects on human health and well-being and others suggest no effect or even a negative effect [for a discussion see (109)]. This variability in HAI research outcomes caused by differing methodologies, measurement, populations, and interventions is described in detail by Rodriguez et al (110). However, we also argue that some of the variability seen in HAI research may be explained by the potential for differential immediate and delayed impacts within each of the three biopsychosocial model realms.…”

Companion Animal Relationships and Adolescent Loneliness during COVID-19

“…Overall, HAI research is challenged by the significant complexities in the diverse relationships that individuals have with their pets, and the various methodological and measurement approaches used to assess these relationships [35]. For future research measuring the interaction between pet relationships and loneliness, there appears to be a need for more nuanced methodology and measurement approaches that account for individual and family-level differences in how pet ownership contributes to resilience during times of stress.…”