COMO A CONVIVÊNCIA COM HUMANOS PODE MODULAR O COMPORTAMENTO DE CÃES

Abstract

In most households, dogs are considered members of the family, with this
interaction being of great importance to both dogs and humans in reducing stress and
depression, particularly for humans. Nevertheless, it is common in veterinary clinics to
observe dogs exhibiting characteristics very similar to those of their owners, such as
anxiety, agitation, aggression, among others, altering their natural behavior. The vast
majority assesses the benefits of having an animal for the mental health of the owners.
However, few extend these effects to pet animals. Thus, the aim of this research was
to identify the possible influence of the emotional state of the owners, particularly those
with anxiety, and its incidence on dogs, favoring the emergence of stereotypes such
as compulsive paw licking, prolonged lying down, etc. The technique of direct
documentation was used with a quantitative-descriptive field research approach,
involving studies of variable relationships. The research employed a structured
questionnaire with 31 closed-ended questions directed to both the owner and the
animal (dogs). The distribution of the forms was carried out digitally (social networks),
and the data were evaluated using descriptive statistics. The research results brought
forth information already confirmed in other studies, such as the improvement of
anxious symptoms in humans through living with their dog, the prevalence of females
with mental disorders, and the importance of environmental enrichment for a better
quality of life for dogs. However, further inquiries focused on dog behavior are needed
to obtain a clear definition of the proposed causal relationship in this research.