Better to Have Loved and Lost? Human Avoidant Attachment Style Towards Dogs Predicts Group Membership as 'Forever Owner' or 'Foster Carer'.

Jannine M. Lockyer,Jessica L. Oliva

doi:10.3390/ani10091679

Abstract

Simple SummaryEarly attachments to human carers may have long lasting impacts on a seeing eye dog’s working life. Using a self-report questionnaire, we found that puppy carers demonstrated more avoidant styles of attachment towards the dogs in their care as compared to dog owners. Carers also predominately appeared to be driven to the puppy caring role by more pro-social motivations that do not relate to the dog itself. Carers’ reluctance to form close relationships with the puppies in their care may impact subsequent bond formation with other humans, as well as their working performance and wellbeing.Important physiological, performance, and relationship differences have been reported between companion and working dogs. This study aimed to investigate how human attachment styles manifest towards dogs, depending on the dog’s role. Seeing Eye Dog (SED) carer (n = 25) and Companion Dog Owner (CDO) (n = 78) avoidant and anxious attachment scores towards the dog in their care were compared. Feelings and motivations about being a SED carer or CDO were also investigated qualitatively. Significant differences were observed between pet avoidance, with avoidance scores significantly predicting SED carer group membership. Qualitative insights revealed more human prosocial motivations for becoming a SED carer, and more dog-related motivations for becoming a CDO, with CDOs more likely to consider their dog a ‘significant other’. This study corroborates findings supporting differences in human–dog relationships for working versus companion dogs. The potential impacts of human–dog attachment should be considered for SED success.

Highlights

Seeing Eye Dogs (SED) perform a vital function in the community, facilitating independence and enhancing the quality of life for those who are vision impaired [1]
Histograms and Q-Q Plots indicate some minor deviation from normal distribution where scores are weighted towards a positive skew for the subscales of Experience in Close Relationships Scale (ECR)-R and Pet Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ) Anxious and Avoidant, indicating more secure attachment styles
The current study aimed to extend on these findings by investigating whether human attachment styles towards other humans was associated with human attachment styles towards dogs, and whether these attachment styles could predict group membership as either a Companion Dog Owner (CDO) or SED carer

Summary

Introduction

Seeing Eye Dogs (SED) perform a vital function in the community, facilitating independence and enhancing the quality of life for those who are vision impaired [1]. Based on population growth estimations, Vision Australia forecast increased demand for SED services, with 564,000 people in Australia estimated to be classified as blind or low vision by 2030 [2], a 47% increase from 2016. In 2009, the cost to the economy in lost earnings of blind or vision-impaired people was estimated at. Lost earnings for carers was estimated at $251 million [3]. Graduation rates for guide dogs are at approximately 50% [4]. Given projections of increased demand for support services [5], together with low graduation rates of SED [4], initiatives that may support SED puppy progression rates are worthwhile

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