Dog-directed parenting styles

Summary:

As the relationship between owner and dog resembles that of parent and child, we investigated the role of parenting styles in the owner-dog relationship. We established three such styles in likely highly-engaged dog owners. An authoritarian-correction orientated parenting style reflected high demandingness and the use of correctional methods. An authoritative-intrinsic value orientated parenting style reflected high responsiveness and a focus on the dog’s general needs and emotions. An authoritative-training orientated parenting style reflected high demandingness and responsiveness and a focus on teaching a dog how to behave. The styles may be consequential to owner/dog behaviour and the relationship between them and the latter style seems favourable. This as it related to the owner verbally praising the dog, the dog looking more frequently at the owner during task performance and the owner feeling less burdened by dog ownership. Thus, dog-directed parenting styles seem relevant and could be addressed in owner-dog education,