Rooney Nicola J, Bradshaw John W S
Anthrozoology Institute, University of Southampton.
J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2003;6(2):67-94. doi: 10.1207/S15327604JAWS0602_01.
It is often claimed that certain behavioral problems in domestic dogs can be triggered by the games played by dog and caregiver (owner). In this study, we examine possible links between the types of games played and dimensions of the dog-owner relationship that are generally considered to affect such problems. Fifty dog-owner partnerships were filmed during 3-min play sessions in which the owner was allowed to choose the games played. All partnerships then undertook a 1-hr test designed to measure elements of behavior commonly ascribed to "dominance" and "attachment." Principal components analysis of the data produced 2 dominance-related factors (Amenability and Confident Interactivity) and 4 factors describing aspects of attachment (Nonspecific Attention Seeking, Preference for Owner, Preference for Unfamiliar Person, and Separation-Related Behavior). Amenability, in particular, varied significantly between breeds. In the study, we then compared types of games played to each of these factors. Dogs playing rough-and-tumble scored higher for Amenability and lower on Separation-Related Behavior than did dogs playing other types of games. Dogs playing tug-of-war and fetch scored high on Confident Interactivity. Winning or losing these games had no consistent effect on their test scores. If the dog started the majority of the games, the dog was significantly less amenable and more likely to exhibit aggression. The results suggest that how dogs play reflects general attributes of their temperament and relationship with their owner. This study provides no evidence that games play a major deterministic role on dominance dimensions of dog-human relationships, but the results suggest that playing games involving considerable body contact may affect attachment dimensions.
人们常说，家犬的某些行为问题可能是由犬与照料者（主人）玩的游戏引发的。在本研究中，我们考察了所玩游戏的类型与通常被认为会影响此类问题的犬主关系维度之间的可能联系。在3分钟的玩耍时段对50对犬主组合进行了拍摄，期间主人可以选择所玩的游戏。之后，所有组合都进行了一项为时1小时的测试，旨在测量通常归因于“主导性”和“依恋性”的行为要素。对数据进行主成分分析产生了2个与主导性相关的因素（顺从性和自信互动性）以及4个描述依恋方面的因素（非特定注意力寻求、对主人的偏好、对陌生人的偏好以及与分离相关的行为）。尤其是顺从性，在不同品种之间有显著差异。在研究中，我们随后将所玩游戏的类型与这些因素中的每一个进行了比较。与玩其他类型游戏的犬相比，玩打闹游戏的犬在顺从性方面得分更高，在与分离相关的行为方面得分更低。玩拔河和捡回游戏的犬在自信互动性方面得分较高。在这些游戏中输赢对它们的测试分数没有一致的影响。如果犬发起了大多数游戏，那么这只犬的顺从性明显更低，且更有可能表现出攻击性。结果表明，犬的玩耍方式反映了它们的气质以及与主人关系的一般属性。本研究没有提供证据表明游戏在犬与人关系的主导性维度上起主要的决定性作用，但结果表明，玩涉及大量身体接触的游戏可能会影响依恋维度。
