Shore Elsie R, Burdsal Charles, Douglas Deanna K
Psychology Department, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260, USA.
J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2008;11(1):63-73. doi: 10.1080/10888700701729221.
Prior research has found that dog obedience training and the receipt of advice regarding companion animal (pet) behavior reduce the risk of nonhuman animal relinquishment to an animal shelter and increase human-companion animal interactions, but research also finds that only a minority of pet guardians participates in such activities. The researchers for this study asked 170 dog and cat guardians to assess the seriousness of common problem behaviors and how likely they were to seek help. The researchers also asked them to rate different methods of obtaining expert advice. The dog and cat guardians saw behaviors directly affecting humans as most severe; those involving the destruction of property were next in severity; and those affecting the animal more than the human were least severe. There were no significant differences in ratings by participants' gender or income. Participants indicated they were more likely to use free help options than fee-based services. The lack of a clear correlation between the seriousness of a behavior problem and likelihood of seeking help suggests that other factors may play a role in pet guardians' interest in obtaining expert advice.
先前的研究发现，犬类服从训练以及接受有关伴侣动物（宠物）行为的建议，可降低将非人类动物送到动物收容所的风险，并增加人与伴侣动物之间的互动，但研究也发现，只有少数宠物监护人会参与此类活动。本研究的研究人员询问了170名犬猫监护人，以评估常见问题行为的严重程度以及他们寻求帮助的可能性。研究人员还要求他们对获取专家建议的不同方法进行评分。犬猫监护人认为直接影响人类的行为最为严重；涉及财产破坏的行为次之；而对动物的影响大于对人类的影响的行为最不严重。参与者的性别或收入在评分上没有显著差异。参与者表示，他们更有可能使用免费帮助选项，而不是收费服务。行为问题的严重程度与寻求帮助的可能性之间缺乏明显的相关性，这表明其他因素可能在宠物监护人获取专家建议的兴趣中起作用。
