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the effect of pet ownership
canine human relationship
human animal interaction
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This year, in the United States alone, an estimated three to six million cats and dogs will be euthanized as a result of behavior problems (Beerda, Bosch, Hendriks, Vander Poel, and Verstegen, 2007). Unwanted behaviors are cited as being the primary reason that canines are relinquished to rescue shelters (Beerda et al., 2007). Individuals that surrender their dogs rarely pursue an active intervention strategy to correct problem behaviors, often claiming that time and financial constraints prohibit further intercession (Marston and Bennet, 2003).
It is important to establish an understanding of how canine behavioral problems develop and what interactions can contribute or deter their negative impacts. Awareness of the progression of these behavioral deficits might help us provide accessible interventions to encourage individuals to alleviate these issues before they become more substantial problems.
Researchers Andrew Jagoe and James Serpell are interested in the implications of the interactions of owner characteristics with their dogs and how they contribute to the prevalence of canine behavior problems. Jagoe and Serpell devised a questionnaire to be administered to four different sources which included: animal behavioral counselors, veterinary surgeons, the teaching hospital at the University of Cambridge Veterinary School and a random door-to-door inquiry (Jagoe and Serpell, 1996). The survey required detailed information regarding the reason for acquiring the dog, any previous ownership of a dog, participation in any obedience training classes, the approximate times the dog was fed, the sleeping habits of the dog, the types of games the owners reported playing with their dogs and a checklist of problematic behavior patter...
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...ld allow shelters to become a first resource, not just a final solution.
Works Cited
Beerda, B.; Bosch, G.; Hendriks, W.H.; Vander Poel, A.F.B.; & Verstegan, W.A. (2007).
Impact of nutrition on canine behaviour: current status and possible mechanisms. Nutrition Research Reviews (Vol. 20, Issue 2, pp. 180-94).
Elmes, David G; Kantowitz, Barry H.; & Roediger III, Henry L. (2008). Research
methods (pp.183). Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.
Hepper, Peter G. & Deborah L. Wells (2000). Prevalence of behavior problems reported
by owners of dogs purchased from an animal rescue shelter. Applied Animal Behaviour Science (Vol. 69, Issue 1, pp. 55-65). doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(00)00118-0
Jagoe, Andrew & Serpell, James (1996). Owner characteristics and interactions and the
prevalence of canine behavior problems. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 47, 31-42.
Deborah L. Duffy, Yuying Hsu, James A. Serpell ,Applied Animal Behavior Science - 1 December 2008 (Vol. 114, Issue 3, Pages 441-460, DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.006)
Every year an estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur in the U.S. BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) is a law that suggests that certain breeds are more prone to aggression than others. By banning or restricting the breeds in question, it is believed to help reduce the number of attacks. BSL determines which breeds are dangerous using statistics. These statistics cannot be relied on for two reasons. One, there is no concrete method to determine a dog’s pedigree. Thus, a victim, animal control officer, or owner is trusted with identifying the dog through appearance. According to Scott and Fuller, authors of Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog, “It has been known for decades that the cross-bred offspring of purebred dogs of different breeds often bear little or no resemblance to either their sires or dams (1965).” Visual assessments are questionable. Two, population is not accounted for. Population is important, in that it provides context to percentages. Because a dog’s breed is impossible to pinpoint, we cannot provide numbers. BSL’s cause is rendered useless when we consider these points.
For Task C I decided to study how the behaviour of dogs has evolved and changed over the years and what factors have played a part in this happening. I will investigate the link between the environmental factors and how this has changed the behaviour and the difference between the internal and external factors that have influenced dogs behavioural traits.
Humans and dogs have been pals for what seems like forever. However, all relationships have to start somewhere, and this relationship is no different. From the beginnings of domestication to where we are today, how we have adapted dogs to our needs and how dogs have adapted us to their needs is a story that sounds fictional. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We call them Man’s Best Friend for a reason--we artificially created them to become our best friends, and they created the mannerisms we use today.
A growing number of studies have attempted to support the theory that cats and dogs differ in their personality attributes. Several common factors have emerged across these studies, such as difference among social behaviours. Higher levels of dominance and hostility have been reported among domestic cats (as cited in Fonberg, 1985). Not surprisingly, domesticated dogs are higher in submissive behaviours (as cited in Marder, 1989). Woodward et al. also reflect upon previously held theories of companion animal attachment that suggest attachment is mediated by the needs of the owner and the characteristics of their pet.
The US Census in 2000 has reported that, during the late 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century there has been a large increase in the number of elderly people living in the United States of America, which will likely result in an increased incidence of dementia. In recent years, dog-assisted therapy has been widely regarded as a generally accepted method of providing elderly residents with good feelings and an increase in self-maintenance behavior. The aim of this study is to examine the psychological and behavioral effects of dog-assisted therapy on elderly residents with dementia. I predict that dog-assisted therapy will help elderly people with dementia with their behavioral and emotional problems such as aggression, agitation and psychosis.
Most people are familiar with service dogs and have seen them in action. Animal-assisted therapy is similar service animals in that an animal-human healing partnership is being created. However, the difference is that therapy pets are typically used to treat a mental disability whereas people with physical disabilities use service dogs to help them in many ways. Therapy animals are used in a wide variety of places, such as, hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, therapy sessions, mental healthcare facilities, and even in people’s homes. These amazing animals are used on a wide variety of different disorders, but they are utilized mostly by people suffering from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. For people with these mental health disorders, everything in live can be difficult and challenging, however with the help of animal-assisted therapy, their mood, motivation, and life can dramatically improve. Anyone who hears about these brave, loving animals soon falls in love with them. From a medical standpoint, there have been many successful studies and the support for animal-assisted therapy still continues to grow in doctors and therapists across the nation.
Dogs play a key role in therapy for abused children, however animal assisted therapy remains an adjunct treatment. Elisabeth Reichert (1998) states animal-assisted therapy must be used in conjunction with other therapies and cannot stand on its own. This study will focus on the relationships with dogs in treatment of physically and sexually abused...
Aggression directed toward owners is not a unique occurrence, and it is one that causes an emotional struggle between owner and pet. Assessment and treatment of this troublesome behavior problem must take into account the owners safety as well as practical expectations for improvement. Comparatively mild aggression may be...
In the field of therapy, there are numerous of therapy available out there for different type of individuals and situations as well. There is one type of therapy that usually contains people and animal, it is animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that brings animals and individuals with physical and/or emotional needs together to perform the therapy. Animal-assisted therapy tend to be focused on individuals either children or elderly for them to be able to connect with the animal thus feeling comfortable talking with the therapist. Pet therapy works for all ages, whether sick or not (Lanchnit, 2011). Although, this paper, most of the focus is on animal-assisted therapy towards children using dogs.
Hsu, Y., & Sun, L. (2010, March). Factors associated with aggressive responses in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behavior Science, 123(3 -4), 108 123.
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), which can be provided in a group or individual settings, is designed to promote improvement in a human’s physical, social, emotional, or cognitive function. An article by Chitic, Rusu, and Szamoskozi (2012) provides an analysis in order to determine the value of AAT. Both dogs and horses that were trained for AAT were examined and studied to determine their effectiveness in treating patients with psychological disorders. The results showed that both therapy dogs and horses were valuable aids to the therapeutic process. The analysis suggests that proper training and repeated sessions were necessary for proper treatment of patients. In addition, certain disorders may benefit more than others in regards to AAT. For example, a child with ADHD may not benefit from a therapy dog’s presence, for it may worsen the hyperactive symptoms. On the other hand, a patient with depression may benefit greatly from the same animal (Chitic, Rusu, Szamoskozi, 2012). These findings are a perfect starting point to answering the research question: Do patients who engage in AAT display a betterment in their overall emotional well-being, as well as show improvement in their interpersonal interactions...
Thesis Statement: While most owners are aware of the amount of joy and laughter dogs bring to them and their family, they are unaware that their dogs love them unconditionally and can help them have better lives
“A dog is a man’s best friend” goes much deeper than the phrase might initially imply. Recently many medical journals have begun to identify with the many and varied benefits of pet ownership. Men have always relied upon animals for work, transportation, and survival. As times have changed, man has begun to appreciate a different bond with animals. Gone are the days of animals running free outside around the homestead, for now animals are allowed inside and are considered by many to be an integral part of our daily lives! Medical studies have found that animals have a much greater intelligence level than originally thought. Through proper training and experience, animals are not only household pets, but also are becoming an accepted form of medical treatment.
Dogs are wonderful creatures. They are loyal, dependable companions if given the opportunity. In recent years I have come to the opinion that we could learn something from these animals. We should also take a look at the manner in which they are being treated. Abandonment, irresponsible breeding, and neglect are only some of the ways that humans are failing the canine species.