Contribution to the special issue on clinical ethology: Educating dog owners: How owner-dog interactions can benefit from addressing the human caregiving system and dog-directed parenting styles

Abstract

Dogs need to adapt to a human environment to enhance their welfare and to avoid risks of undesired dog behaviour and relinquishment. Crucial to this adaptation may be how an owner interacts with the dog. Owner-dog interactions may be influenced by the human caregiving system with regard to how care, protection and resources are provided. This narrative review discusses how a consideration of the human caregiving system can benefit owner-dog interactions. Literature suggests that the human caregiving system and parenting styles could influence owner-dog interactions. Owner-dog education may improve these interactions. However, studies on owner-dog education present mixed outcomes for the dog. Also, only a few studies address owner outcomes, indicating a gap that needs filling. It is concluded that, when intervening in owner-dog interactions, more attention should be directed to aspects of human psychology. Dog-directed parenting styles can form one strategy as to improve owner-dog interactions and dog welfare.