Exploring Behaviours Percieved as Important to the Human-Dog Bond and their Translation to a Robotic Platform

Abstract

To facilitate long-term engagement with social robots, robots can be modelled on 'successful' social animalsspecifically, pet dogs. Unfortunately, scientific understanding is limited to qualities of dogs that are 'liked', opposed to behaviours that facilitate and maintain the human-dog bond. To better understand dog behaviours that are important for building bonds between owner and pet, we collected open-ended responses from dog owners (n=153). Thematic analysis identified 7 behaviour categories: the importance of 1) attunement, 2) communication, 3) consistency and predictability, 4) physical affection, 5) positivity and enthusiasm, 6) proximity, and 7) shared activities. We consider the feasibility of translating dog behaviours into a robotic platform, and potential barriers moving forward. In addition to providing insight into important behaviours for human-dog bonding, this work provides a springboard for those hoping to implement dog behaviours into animal-like agents, avatars, and robots.

The Link between the Nature of the Human–Companion Animal Relationship and Well-Being Outcomes in Companion Animal Owners

“…There is a strong link between perceived partner responsiveness and insensitivity and well-being outcomes in human-human relationships, and qualitative research points to pet insensitivity and responsiveness, or "attunement" as important for mental health [64]. However, no prior quantitative work has examined perceived responsiveness or insensitivity in companion animals directly as a factor within the human-companion animal relationship and its impact on mental well-being.…”