December 31, 2019

Audience: Executive Leadership, Foster Caregivers, Public, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers, Veterinary Team

Organization: Oregon State University
Investigator(s): Monique Udell, PhD
Grant Amount: $38,977.00
Project Type: Basic Research
Project Status: Research Complete

Project Summary

This Oregon State University study aimed to characterize attachment bonds between dogs living in animal shelters and the human volunteers who regularly interact with these dogs within the shelter environment. The study found that dogs living in the shelter had significantly lower rates of secure attachment to their caretakers when compared with prior literature on pet dogs living in homes. The study also found evidence for disinhibited attachment (previously reported in children who spent a significant portion of time living in institutionalized settings). Dogs with secure attachments appeared to have some welfare and behavioral advantages compared to dogs with insecure attachments.

Objective(s)

The objectives of the project were: to better understand attachment relationships between shelter dogs and human caretakers and provide comparison data for the foster secure-base effect project, so as to promote practices that lead to the best adoption and quality of life outcomes.

Methods

The study included 31 pairs of shelter dogs and shelter volunteers. Each pair participated in several validated tests, with all dogs and volunteers participating in a Secure Base Test and Paired Attachment Test, and all volunteers completing the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS).

Additional cognitive and welfare measures were also recorded. This data was also compared to data from a related study of 21 pairs of foster dogs and their foster volunteer caretakers.

Results

  • Compared to data from previously published literature on pet dogs, shelter dogs are significantly more likely than pet dogs to form insecure attachments to their temporary caretakers, which is associated with excessive proximity seeking, but is less effective at reducing stress than in secure attachment relationships
  • Evidence of disinhibited attachment is found among dogs in both foster homes and shelter settings, which is also known to be present in human orphans and is characterized by a lack of preferential proximity seeking with a familiar caregiver, as well as excessive friendliness towards strangers

Conclusions

Understanding that the relationships that dogs form with caretakers in a shelter are often categorically different than those seen in pet home environments, and understanding the benefits of attachment security in cognitive and behavioral well-being, is the first step in identifying ways to address this potential area of concern.

One solution might be to enhance interactions and volunteer behaviors that promote secure attachment formation. Fostering dogs might be another possible solution, as overall, foster dog attachment styles looked more similar to that of pet dogs in living homes.