Researchers at the University of Helsinki have collected data on the personality traits of dogs, cats, and their owners to better understand the relationship between owner and pet attachment.
The study, which includes over 2,500 pet owners and 3,300 pets, reveals that the relationship between humans and pets can be described using two dimensions of insecure attachment: anxious and avoidant. Individual differences between these attachment styles can be observed in terms of respective needs for proximity and independence. For example, an anxiously attached pet owner may have a heightened need for proximity and be concerned about losing their pet, while an avoidantly attached pet owner may crave a high degree of independence and fear the loss of personal autonomy.
The study suggests that avoidantly attached owners may not provide sufficient security for their dog in threatening situations, leading to fear and aggressive behavior. Additionally, these owners may participate in fewer shared activities with their dog, which can contribute to impulsiveness in dogs. It is also possible that unwanted behavior in a dog may contribute to insecure attachment in owners, heightening their need for independence or proximity.
