Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves
IntroductionTo explore human-canid relationships, we tested similarly socialized and raised dogs (Canis familiaris) and wolves (Canis lupus) and their trainers in a wildlife park. The aims of our study were twofold: first, we aimed to test which factors influenced the relationships that the trainers...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1044940/full |
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| author | Megane E. Burkhard Friederike Range Samantha J. Ward Lauren M. Robinson Lauren M. Robinson Lauren M. Robinson |
| author_facet | Megane E. Burkhard Friederike Range Samantha J. Ward Lauren M. Robinson Lauren M. Robinson Lauren M. Robinson |
| author_sort | Megane E. Burkhard |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionTo explore human-canid relationships, we tested similarly socialized and raised dogs (Canis familiaris) and wolves (Canis lupus) and their trainers in a wildlife park. The aims of our study were twofold: first, we aimed to test which factors influenced the relationships that the trainers formed with the dogs or wolves and second, we investigated if the animals reacted to the trainers in accordance with the trainers’ perceptions of their relationship.MethodsTo achieve these goals, we assessed the relationships using a human-animal bonds survey, which the trainers used to rate the bonds between themselves and their peers with the canids, and by observing dyadic trainer-canid social interactions.ResultsOur preliminary results given the small sample size and the set-up of the research center, demonstrate that our survey was a valid way to measure these bonds since trainers seem to perceive and agree on the strength of their bonds with the animals and that of their fellow trainers. Moreover, the strength of the bond as perceived by the trainers was mainly predicted by whether or not the trainer was a hand-raiser of the specific animal, but not by whether or not the animal was a wolf or a dog. In the interaction test, we found that male animals and animals the trainers felt more bonded to, spent more time in proximity of and in contact with the trainers; there was no difference based on species.DiscussionThese results support the hypothesis that wolves, similarly to dogs, can form close relationships with familiar humans when highly socialized (Canine Cooperation Hypothesis). Moreover, as in other studies, dogs showed more submissive behaviors than wolves and did so more with experienced than less experienced trainers. Our study suggests that humans and canines form differentiated bonds with each other that, if close, are independent of whether the animal is a wolf or dog. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:01:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-29711c7549444562b3be143945a9a456 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T01:01:44Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-29711c7549444562b3be143945a9a4562023-01-04T15:45:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-01-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.10449401044940Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolvesMegane E. Burkhard0Friederike Range1Samantha J. Ward2Lauren M. Robinson3Lauren M. Robinson4Lauren M. Robinson5Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, AustriaDomestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, AustriaSchool of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United KingdomDomestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesLanguage Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United StatesIntroductionTo explore human-canid relationships, we tested similarly socialized and raised dogs (Canis familiaris) and wolves (Canis lupus) and their trainers in a wildlife park. The aims of our study were twofold: first, we aimed to test which factors influenced the relationships that the trainers formed with the dogs or wolves and second, we investigated if the animals reacted to the trainers in accordance with the trainers’ perceptions of their relationship.MethodsTo achieve these goals, we assessed the relationships using a human-animal bonds survey, which the trainers used to rate the bonds between themselves and their peers with the canids, and by observing dyadic trainer-canid social interactions.ResultsOur preliminary results given the small sample size and the set-up of the research center, demonstrate that our survey was a valid way to measure these bonds since trainers seem to perceive and agree on the strength of their bonds with the animals and that of their fellow trainers. Moreover, the strength of the bond as perceived by the trainers was mainly predicted by whether or not the trainer was a hand-raiser of the specific animal, but not by whether or not the animal was a wolf or a dog. In the interaction test, we found that male animals and animals the trainers felt more bonded to, spent more time in proximity of and in contact with the trainers; there was no difference based on species.DiscussionThese results support the hypothesis that wolves, similarly to dogs, can form close relationships with familiar humans when highly socialized (Canine Cooperation Hypothesis). Moreover, as in other studies, dogs showed more submissive behaviors than wolves and did so more with experienced than less experienced trainers. Our study suggests that humans and canines form differentiated bonds with each other that, if close, are independent of whether the animal is a wolf or dog.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1044940/fullcanidrelationshipsdomesticationquestionnairesgreeting |
| spellingShingle | Megane E. Burkhard Friederike Range Samantha J. Ward Lauren M. Robinson Lauren M. Robinson Lauren M. Robinson Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves Frontiers in Psychology canid relationships domestication questionnaires greeting |
| title | Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves |
| title_full | Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves |
| title_fullStr | Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves |
| title_short | Bonded by nature: Humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves |
| title_sort | bonded by nature humans form equally strong and reciprocated bonds with similar raised dogs and wolves |
| topic | canid relationships domestication questionnaires greeting |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1044940/full |
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