Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Separation related problems (SRP) in dogs have gained increasing attention in the field of animal behavior and welfare. However, there is still a gap between science and professional behavior practice, as the two fields are not yet fully connected. Particularly, research has not sufficiently drawn knowledge from professional practice, with only one article found where researchers have attempted to do so on this subject. The study included fifteen semi-structured, 45 minute interviews with dog professionals in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, targeting a diverse group of professionals within the behavioral field. The transcriptions were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Six themes and seventeen sub themes were produced. The themes derived from the interview material are called “behavioral issues”, “significant changes in routine”, “a body in flux”, “dog training gone wrong” and “psychological interplay between dogs and their owners”. These themes describe consistently identified backgrounds and character traits by dog professionals in dogs with SRP. The dog professionals also found that breed type was worth mentioning in this context. Most of the backgrounds and traits identified by dog professionals could be linked to potential risk factors for the development of SRP according to existing literature.