Riggio et al. (2022) investigated whether the quality of attachment between dogs and their owners influences physiological stress responses. The team studied 20 dogs (10 secure, 10 insecure) using the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP), a standardized method designed to induce mild stress through caregiver separation and reunion.
To evaluate acute stress, saliva samples were collected before and after the test to measure cortisol levels, alongside physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature. For chronic stress, hair samples were analyzed for cortisol content.
The results revealed that insecurely attached dogs showed significantly higher post-test salivary cortisol (p = 0.024) and a trend toward elevated heart rates compared to secure dogs. However, no significant differences were observed in hair cortisol levels, suggesting that attachment primarily affects acute rather than chronic stress markers.
These findings mirror patterns seen in human psychology, where insecure attachment is associated with heightened stress responses. The study underscores the importance of the dog–owner bond in shaping dogs’ emotional resilience and has implications for behavioral assessment and welfare management.
Source: Riggio, G., Borrelli, C., Campera, M., Gazzano, A., & Mariti, C. (2022). Physiological Indicators of Acute and Chronic Stress in Securely and Insecurely Attached Dogs Undergoing a Strange Situation Procedure (SSP): Preliminary Results. Veterinary Sciences, 9. Authors: G. Riggio et al. Journal: Veterinary Sciences.
