title: Application of functional analysis methods to assess human-dog interactions.
abstract: Research on owner-dog relationships suggests that they have remarkable features, paralleling those of infant to parents. In this study, we investigated whether, after being separated, access to the owner would function as a reinforcer for domestic dog behavior. We then conducted a functional analysis to determine the specific functional reinforcer (e.g., owner access, attention). Our results demonstrate that owner access can function as a reinforcer. This has implications for understanding the owner-dog relationship and using owner access as a training tool.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida.
authors.forename: Erica N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Feuerbacher
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University.
authors.forename: Clive D L
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Wynne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: domestic dog; functional analysis; social reinforcement