A DOG IN YOUR HOME: It’s Not as Simple as It Seems!

Photo by Fabian Gieske on Unsplash

A dog is man’s best friend! But in our age of reevaluating values, even this age-old truth is being questioned by critically minded scientists. Ethologists from Hungary’s Eötvös Loránd University have found that having a dog in your home can have both positive and negative sides. The obligations and responsibilities that come with dog ownership turn out to be both a joy and a burden. Caring for a dog can be emotionally and financially demanding, consuming time and money, and may cause anxiety, sadness, and guilt. In the long run, these negative feelings can develop into chronic stress or depression.

«THE PET EFFECT»

he population of pet dogs is growing worldwide. The media often tell us that having a pet at home improves a person’s life, making it happier. And that’s certainly true for many people. But not for everyone: pet owners are not always happier or healthier than those without pets.

The results of numerous studies conducted on large, representative samples have failed to produce a unified conclusion about the so-called «pet effect». The most recent survey, involving 246 dog owners over the age of 18, was published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports.

Hungarian researchers set out to explore how dog owners perceive and describe the positive and negative sides of their experience.

DOG-RELATED NEGATIVES AND POSITIVES

To do this, researchers from the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University compiled a list of 33 neutrally worded statements. These included, for example: «Dogs need to be trained and disciplined», «Dogs can bring mess and dirt into the home», and «Dogs can keep children company».

The dog owners were then asked to rate these statements on a scale from -3 (a serious drawback) to +3 (a major advantage). Participants were also invited to describe, in their own words, what they considered the greatest value and the greatest benefit of owning a dog.

The highest-rated statement was the belief that dogs make people’s lives more vibrant — with an average score of 2.78. The most negatively rated aspect was the short lifespan of dogs — scoring -1.67 on average. Overall, the researchers noted that the positive statements outweighed the negative ones: 2.06 versus -0.66.

ASPECTS OF DOG OWNERSHIP

Laura Gillet, the lead author of the study, explained that the researchers grouped all aspects of dog ownership into three categories. The first encompasses the emotional, physical, and social benefits of having a four-legged companion.

The second includes negative emotions and practical problems that arise due to the presence of a dog. The third category relates to the long-term responsibilities and obligations of ownership: daily care, training, and the dog’s impact on the owner’s routine and quality of sleep.

Opinions were most divided regarding the third group. Some owners viewed their responsibilities positively, others neutrally, while some considered them a negative aspect of owning a dog.

FROM A LOVING EXPERIENCE TO A «NON-HUMAN» CONNECTION

More than 60% of owners named their relationship with the dog as the greatest benefit of ownership. They perceived these relationships as meaningful and valuable, describing their pets as honest, loyal, and supportive social partners who display unconditional, selfless love for their human family.

Thirty-one percent of respondents cited everyday advantages of owning a dog: healthier lifestyle, physical activity, being outdoors, and better time structure. The motivation of another 15% could be considered somewhat unusual.

For them, the benefit of living with a dog lies in the opportunity to connect with a representative of a different biological species, one whose qualities differ from those of humans.

A DOG ISN’T ABOUT MONEY!

The researchers couldn’t avoid touching on the topic of money — after all, caring for a dog is impossible without it. On this point, dog owners showed rare unanimity: 95% of respondents pointed to expenses related to veterinary care and feeding.

Only 4–5% of owners mentioned emotional or other types of costs. The study demonstrated how multifaceted the experience of owning a dog truly is — it simply cannot be described in universal terms that apply to everyone.

Whether one sees their pet as a burden or a source of joy depends entirely on individual circumstances and the personality of the owner. Some dog owners admitted that they were afraid to speak honestly about their struggles out of fear of being judged or labeled as bad owners.

Hungarian scientists believe that studies like this can help bridge the gap between owners’ expectations and reality, improving the lives of both people and pets. Owning a dog demands awareness and responsibility — especially since neither people nor dogs are perfect.

In an earlier study, a group of Finnish veterinarians and psychologists found that the arrival of a dog in the home can, in some cases, be accompanied by so-called «puppy blues» — a state of stress, irritability, and anxiety. From a human perspective, the behavior of our four-legged friends is far from flawless. Some form of behavioral deviation was found in more than 99% of pets.

«THE NASTY LITTLE ONES»

Dog «issues» are believed to be unrelated to breed, sex, sterilization status, or age. However, Finnish researchers found that older and smaller dogs are more likely to display aggression than younger and larger ones.

Then again, people’s tempers tend to worsen with age too! According to Finnish researchers, the most «ill-tempered little ones» are Shelties, Poodles, Toy Terriers, and Miniature Schnauzers. That said, not all canine anomalies are critical.

Some 85.9% of dogs show signs of excessive attachment — something most owners can learn to live with. In second place comes coprophagia (72.9%). Aggression ranks third (55.6%), and fourth is heightened anxiety (50%).

ALL PROBLEMS BEGIN IN CHILDHOOD

They say dogs resemble their owners — and if not in appearance, then certainly in spirit. Just like with people, most dog problems originate in childhood. British researchers investigating the issue found a strong correlation between parenting style and the way owners interact with their dogs.

The similarities don’t stop there: mothers interacting with their children and with their dogs exhibited similar patterns of increased oxytocin levels and brain activation. So, if you’re having issues with your dog, chances are the problem may not be entirely on their side.

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