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ABSTRACT
Whilst dogs are adored companions worldwide, high numbers continue to be relinquished each year due to perceived behavioral concerns. Subsequently, this paper addresses the question; What are guardian’s expectations of canine behavior and companionship? A total of 175 participants responded to a qualitative semi-structured survey, distributed online. Following a reflexive thematic analysis , five themes are discussed; A well-balanced dog, Obedient, Affection and Connection, Shared Interests, and Commitment. The findings highlight a wide range of expectations typically moving beyond realistic behavior and capabilities for both dogs and guardians. Resultantly, we call for clearer conceptualization of canine behavior, particularly in relation to the distinction between observable behavior and behavioral interpretations (personality, temperament etc.). Clarification on the facets of dog behavior, in addition to better understanding guardian expectations, will aid the development of educational materials aimed at supporting existing human-dog relationships and the adoption matching process within canine adoptions. Cumulatively, this would aid successful human-dog bonding, reducing the risk for relinquishment. These findings build on the recently proposed Perceived Canine Reactivity Framework.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the Project Dog Learning Alliance and the wider Project Dog Research Programme team who supported the research. In particular, we would like to thank Amber Johnson and Simeon Essuman for dedicating time to collating relevant literature as well as supporting with data collection and organisation.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).