Similarities and differences between dog–human and human–human relationships

Abstract

Abstract Most dog owners in Western countries regard their dogs as companions or family members, prompting extensive research on the human-animal bond. However, many studies rely on broad categories or single dimensions, such as satisfaction or attachment, which can oversimplify the complexity of these relationships. In contrast, our study employed a multifaceted approach, examining the dog-owner bond across 13 relationship scales and comparing these scales to four different types of human relationships to reveal the human-like roles of dogs within a family. Participants (N = 717) characterized their relationships with their dog and four human partners: closest kin, romantic partner, best friend, and child, using the Network of Relationships Inventory. The results showed that owners reported greater satisfaction with their dogs than with any human partner except their child. They received more Support from dogs than from any human partner except their child and experienced fewer Negative Interactions with their dogs compared to any human partner, except their best friend. Overall, the relationship with the dog provided high Companionship, opportunities for Nurturance, and minimal Negative Interactions. This may stem from the fact that the dog-human relationship features a more asymmetric power dynamic than human relationships – i.e., owners have full control over the dog’s life. Interestingly, a good relationship with a dog might also reflect the owner’s positive relationships with humans. In conclusion, the dog-human relationship exhibits characteristics of both child and best friend relationships, combining the positive aspects of the parent-child bond with the minimal negative interactions of close friendships. Characterizing the dog-owner relationship as a set of social provisions offers a valid way to evaluate relationships with dogs, providing an alternative theoretical framework to attachment theory for comparing dog-human and human-human relationships.