Maria Cecília de Souza , Gabriel Quaresma Bastos , Rosana Suemi Tokumaru
{"title":"Attachment theory applied to the human-dog relationship","authors":"Maria Cecília de Souza , Gabriel Quaresma Bastos , Rosana Suemi Tokumaru","doi":"10.1016/j.jveb.2025.09.005","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work analyzes Attachment Theory from its development by John Bowlby, tracing its historical evolution and ethological foundations to its application in the study of human–dog relationships. This paper discusses the different types of attachment between dogs and humans in the context of emotional regulation and separation-related behaviors. Methodological challenges and limitations in adapting this theory to interspecific contexts are critically examined, including the scarcity of validated tools and the need for species-appropriate assessment strategies. Finally, the text highlights the potential of this theoretical framework to deepen our understanding of canine separation anxiety and guide future research that promotes animal welfare and more balanced multispecies relationships.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17567,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research","volume":"82 ","pages":"Pages 8-19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787825000905","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This work analyzes Attachment Theory from its development by John Bowlby, tracing its historical evolution and ethological foundations to its application in the study of human–dog relationships. This paper discusses the different types of attachment between dogs and humans in the context of emotional regulation and separation-related behaviors. Methodological challenges and limitations in adapting this theory to interspecific contexts are critically examined, including the scarcity of validated tools and the need for species-appropriate assessment strategies. Finally, the text highlights the potential of this theoretical framework to deepen our understanding of canine separation anxiety and guide future research that promotes animal welfare and more balanced multispecies relationships.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research is an international journal that focuses on all aspects of veterinary behavioral medicine, with a particular emphasis on clinical applications and research. Articles cover such topics as basic research involving normal signaling or social behaviors, welfare and/or housing issues, molecular or quantitative genetics, and applied behavioral issues (eg, working dogs) that may have implications for clinical interest or assessment.
JVEB is the official journal of the Australian Veterinary Behaviour Interest Group, the British Veterinary Behaviour Association, Gesellschaft fr Tierverhaltensmedizin und Therapie, the International Working Dog Breeding Association, the Pet Professional Guild, the Association Veterinaire Suisse pour la Medecine Comportementale, and The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.