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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
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The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs
Published on: October 13, 2017
18.4K
Application of functional analysis methods to assess human-dog interactions.
Erica N Feuerbacher1, Clive D L Wynne2
1University of Florida.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis
|May 27, 2016
Summary
Owner access can reinforce domestic dog behavior, similar to parent-infant bonds. This finding highlights owner access as a potential training tool for dogs.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Comparative Psychology
- Canine Cognition
Background:
- Owner-dog relationships exhibit unique characteristics, mirroring infant-parent dynamics.
- Understanding the reinforcing properties of owner interaction is crucial for canine behavior studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if owner access acts as a reinforcer for domestic dog behavior post-separation.
- To identify specific functional reinforcers, such as owner access or attention, through functional analysis.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a study to assess the reinforcing effects of owner access on dog behavior.
- Employed functional analysis to differentiate between owner access and attention as reinforcers.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that owner access effectively functions as a reinforcer for domestic dogs.
- Results indicate owner access is a significant motivator for canine behavior.
Conclusions:
- Owner access plays a vital role in the owner-dog relationship, comparable to parent-infant bonding.
- Owner access can be strategically utilized as an effective training tool for dogs.
