Abstract
Simple SummaryThe gender of humans and the sex of dogs influence human–dog interactions. This study investigated human–dog interactions when volunteers take shelter dogs for an on-leash walk, using video recording and a canine leash tension meter. Male dogs tended to pull more frequently and created higher leash tensions than female dogs. Dogs displayed more stress related behaviours when interacting with men than women, with the signs including spending less time holding the tail in a high position, and more frequent gazing and lip-licking behaviours. Finally, during the walk, there was a greater pre-disposition in women to use verbal commands and language typically associated with talking to babies, while men were more inclined to have physical contact with the dogs. These results may be used to match shelter dogs with appropriate men and women volunteers for dog walking exercise, and to improve potential socialisation of the dogs before rehoming.Previous studies have indicated that human gender and canine sex influences human–dog interactions. However, the majority of studies have considered the interaction when dogs were off-leash and the behavioural interactions when dogs are walked on a leash have not been addressed. This study investigated human–dog interactions when shelter volunteers take shelter dogs for an on-leash walk. Video records were made of 370 walks, involving 74 volunteers and 111 shelter dogs, and a leash tension meter was used to determine the pull strength of dogs and walkers. Human gender and canine sex had dyadic effects during the walk. Male dogs tended to pull more frequently and created increased leash tensions. Dogs displayed more stress related behaviours when interacting with men than women, with the signs being spending less time holding the tail in the high position, and more frequent gazing and lip-licking behaviours. Finally, there was a greater pre-disposition in women to use verbal commands, and language typically used with babies, while men were more inclined to have physical contact with dogs. This study’s results may be used to match shelter dogs with appropriate men and women volunteers for walking exercise of the dog, and to improve potential dog socialisation efforts by shelters.
Highlights
Men and women interact with dogs in different ways, and dogs respond to men and women differently [1,2,3]
Men are more likely to use punishment-based rather than reward-based methods to train their dogs [6], and are more inclined to physically restrain their dogs [7]. Dogs for their part are able to discriminate between the human genders [8] and react differently toward men and women [2], in particular responding to men more with defensive-aggression as evidenced by increased barking and gazing [2]
This study aimed to explore the role of human gender/dog sex in the behavioural interactions between volunteers and shelter dogs while dogs are walked on a leash, using a canine leash tension meter and video recorder
Summary
Men and women interact with dogs in different ways, and dogs respond to men and women differently [1,2,3]. Women owners are more inclined to offer more encouraging behaviours to dogs perceived to be fearful [5] These parental and caregiving behaviours are stronger and more developed in women and have been argued to be related to the human–dog attachment [4]. Men are more likely to use punishment-based rather than reward-based methods to train their dogs [6], and are more inclined to physically restrain their dogs [7] Dogs for their part are able to discriminate between the human genders [8] and react differently toward men and women [2], in particular responding to men more with defensive-aggression as evidenced by increased barking and gazing [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
