Children and their pet dogs : How they communicate

The research of ethologists has provided a better understanding of the mechanisms, role and development of communication behaviour between young children and their peers. However, little is known about the communication systems between children and their pets. A study of these relational systems would be needed to understand how the child interacts with his whole environment. The present study is based on the analysis of video tapes filmed during spontaneous interactions between children from 2 to 5 years of age with their pet dog (N = 45) in their home environment. Inventories were made of the child and dog behaviours during these interactions. The results have shown the different dog behaviours induced by the child and the different child behaviours induced by the dog. The links between these behaviours and the variables which characterize both partners (age, sex, etc.) were treated by factor analysis of correspondences. These data are discussed in relation to the behavioural inventories of children and dogs with their peers and conspecifics.