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A new study which aims to uncover the attitudes of dog owners’ management of their pets has been launched by animal behaviour experts at the University of Lincoln, UK.

As dog ownership increases each year, understanding the nuances of dog management becomes increasingly important. Dog owners use a variety of management techniques, all of which are unique to each owner, according to their personal preference and understanding of how they feel they can best manage their pet. These methods can assist owners in implementing preventative measures to guide their dog’s actions.

To better understand owners’ choice of techniques, the research team is conducting an online survey for dog owners, the results of which will provide valuable insight into the factors influencing owners’ decisions. Owners’ choice of management remains a relatively unexplored area of pet ownership, and it is hoped the results will identify the motivations behind the chosen methods, leading to a greater understanding of how dog owners manage pets.

Eilidh Gilbert, PhD student and survey lead at the University of Lincoln, explained: “Learning about people's attitudes to dog management practices will help us to paint a picture of what factors influence the decisions people make when they are managing their pets.”

“This study will also help to inform future research that will dig deeper into what motivates pet owners to choose the dog management methods they use. The findings will not only contribute to academic research but, we hope it will also serve as a resource for dog owners, trainers, and policymakers.”

The survey is available to take online by clicking here.