It has been just over five years since the first ‘Canine Special Issue’ was published in Behavioral Processes. As predicted in that issue, we have seen exponential growth in the number of researchers studying canine behavior, and consequently in the number of new publications arising from laboratories around the world....
The aim of the study is to understand how a child’s responsibility of care for a family pet affects the attachment and relationship between the child and dog. Attachment has been defined as a bond between two individuals that promotes both proximity-seeking and independent activity (Udell and Brubaker, 2016). Responsibility...
This thesis seeks to explore how an ecofeminist lens is currently the most useful approach for improving farmed animal welfare. Through examining Western conceptions of non-human animals, I seek to shed light upon the inconsistent treatment of domestic species. Species that are dependent upon us deserve, at a minimum, not...
Domesticated dogs can form attachment bonds with their owners and use them as a secure base to receive comfort during distress and confidence to explore novel environments. Owners often adopt multiple dog in hopes they will have ameliorative effects during periods of absence from their owner. The purpose of this...
Human-animal relationships, emerging as an aftermath of human-animal interactions, have been increasingly investigated in recent years. It is possible to see the results of the effects of these relationships on both human and animal welfare. This study predicted that caretakers with hands-on contact with their zoo animals would have significantly...
Gazing behavior is a vital part of nonverbal communication, as it can provide information about attentional state, subtext, environment, and point of view. Both dogs and cats have previously been shown to display gazing behavior when presented with an unsolvable task, as well as follow nonverbal directional ques given by...
This study aimed to explore the relationship between urinary cortisol levels and proximity-seeking behavior in shelter cats and the impact of socialization programs on these two factors. A Spearman’s correlation test found no correlation between cortisol levels and proximity-seeking behavior in shelter cats. Fisher’s 2x2 tests confirmed that the changes...
Domestic cats have been shown to form secure attachment bonds with humans, allowing them to use their owners as a secure base and giving them comfort and confidence when exploring an unfamiliar environment. Many cat owners believe that cohabitation with other cats is beneficial for their pets, and that cohabitant...
The domestic cat is one of the world’s most popular companion animals. However, to date much remains to be learned about cat behavior and the cat-human relationship. To examine the influence of proximate factors on cat behavior and the human-cat bond, three studies were undertaken. Study 1 directly measured the...
Domesticated cats frequently use their sense of smell to navigate their environment, convey social cues, and communicate with other individuals. In applied contexts, cat owners are often encouraged to leave items holding their scent with their cat in periods of absence with the aim of reducing stress. The purpose of...