Parents will debate the best way to raise their children for as long as we’re around, but it turns out that parenting styles can really impact on the behavior of dogs too – not just human children.
Oregon State University researchers Monique Udell and Lauren Brubaker analyzed 48 dogs and their parents. They used a Pet Parenting Style survey to determine dog parenting styles. They evaluated how the dogs reacted in certain situations too.
The Study
The aim of the study was to explore how interactions between dog and parent in the home outside of formal training can have an impact on the dog’s behavior and cognitive ability.
“We found that pet parenting style does predict patterns of dog behavior and cognition,” said Udell, an associate professor at Oregon State and an expert on dog behavior, in a press release from the university. “This an important finding because it suggests that dog owners who take the time to understand and meet their dog’s needs are more likely to end up with secure, resilient dogs.”
The researchers found that certain parenting styles led to higher rates of secure attachment, sociability, and problem-solving abilities. Those dogs whose parents practiced more of an authoritative style with high expectations and high responsiveness to their behavior were more likely to be better behaved than other dogs.
Not only that, but these dogs were more attached to their parents, more social, and more sensitive to social contexts. They performed better when problem-solving, too.
Authoritative vs Permissive Dog Parenting
Researchers defined authoritative parents as those who expect rules to be obeyed. Meanwhile, they promote individuality and independence at the same time. In the study, they contrasted them with permissive parents. For these parents, their dog’s freedom is the priority. However, their dogs didn’t show behavior of the same standard as the dogs of authoritative parents.
We need more research to help us find out more about how the parent-canine relationship impacts behavior. But, as a starting point, this study offers some valuable insights.
