Abstract

This study aimed to discover whether it is possible to transfer attachment vocalizations theory to the human-dog relationship. This study looked at whether people who identified as pet parents showed higher distractions when performing an attention-related task than non-pet parents people with dogs. Also used were the sounds of a baby crying, a neutral dog voice (sniffing), another potentially distracting sound, and silence. 23 people with dogs were examined. A modified version of the Bourdon-Wiersma test and the Lexington Attachment to Pet Scale were used. The study found no significant statistical difference between the stimuli used and between the silence and the rest of the stimuli. Despite the lack of expected effects in the study, it is an important introduction to the subject of pet parenting. It also shows that the chosen way of measuring distraction with emotional stimuli may need to be more accurate. I also show possible future research directions.