Attachment theory, originally developed to describe child–caregiver relationships, has increasingly been applied to dogs and their human companions. Riggio et al. (2020) explored whether dogs exhibit comparable attachment styles using modified versions of the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP), a well-established tool in human developmental psychology.
Two groups of dog–owner pairs underwent different SSP protocols, and dogs were classified using a novel adaptation of the infant-caregiver attachment system. Researchers compared securely attached and insecure-avoidant dogs using both continuous behavioral recordings and structured scoring for social play and greetings.
Findings revealed clear differences between the two groups. Secure dogs increasingly sought proximity and contact with their owners as the test progressed, showing behaviors consistent with strong emotional bonding. By contrast, avoidant dogs did not display increased proximity-seeking behaviors, even during the most challenging moments of the test. These behavioral differences mirror patterns observed in human children.
The study demonstrates that dogs can be reliably classified into distinct attachment styles similar to humans. This has important implications for understanding canine emotional development, caregiving needs, and training strategies. The authors suggest that larger studies could further validate these classifications and potentially identify additional patterns such as ambivalent and disorganized attachment in dogs.
Source: Riggio, G., Gazzano, A., Zsilák, B., Carlone, B., & Mariti, C. (2020). Quantitative Behavioral Analysis and Qualitative Classification of Attachment Styles in Domestic Dogs: Are Dogs with a Secure and an Insecure-Avoidant Attachment Different? Animals, 11. Published December 23, 2020.
