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Dog and owner relationships focus of new study

Researchers are urging people to take part in a new study which aims to better understand the relationship between owners and their dogs.

    Dog

    Researchers are urging people to take part in a new study which aims to better understand the relationship between owners and their dogs.

    The team at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) are asking dog owners across the world to complete an online survey as part of the project.

    It is hoped the study will help to shed light on the dynamic between dog and owner and the links between owner behaviour and dog lifestyles. The findings could help to improve advice around dog management and wellbeing.

    The survey asks owners questions such as how their dogs behave in different situations towards people and other dogs, and what they get up to on a typical day.

    Researcher Dr Lauren Finka who is based in NTU’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, said: “Our dogs are often treated as members of the family, with increasing evidence suggesting our relationships with them are complex and influenced by a range of factors”

    “We need responses from dog owners across the world to help us to better understand the human-dog dynamic and how this relates to dog’s behaviour and wellbeing”

    The survey can be completed here: https://ntusurvey.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/canine-health-and-lifestyle-survey

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      About Nottingham Trent University

      Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students. NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience. The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.

      It is one of the largest UK universities. With nearly 32,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. With an international student population of more than 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook. The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility.

      NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 87% satisfaction score in the 2019 National Student Survey.

      NTU is also one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly universities, containing some of the sector’s most inspiring and efficient award-winning buildings.

      It is home to world-class research, and won The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 – the highest national honour for a UK university. It recognised the University’s pioneering projects to improve weapons and explosives detection in luggage; enable safer production of powdered infant formula; and combat food fraud.

    Published on 30 October 2019
    • Category: Press office; School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences