ABOUT

Dr. Monique Udell is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and an Associate Professor of Animal Sciences at Oregon State University, where she also runs the Human-Animal Interaction Lab. Much of her work focuses on the development of human-animal bonds and the impact that these bonds can have on the behavior and success of both species. She also studies the social behavior and cognition of a variety of species including cats, dogs, wolves and sheep, with a special interest in the influence of domestication and lifetime experience on behavioral development, welfare and learning. In addition, Dr. Udell is the Co-director of an animal assisted intervention program dedicated to improving the quality of life of children with and without developmental disabilities and their family dogs and cats. To find out more

Child-Dog Relationships and Wellbeing

It is well known that child-dog interactions can come with potential benefits and risks. Children can form strong bonds with pets and often start the conversation about bringing new animals into homes. However, the quality of the relationship formed between a child and dog can impact the wellbeing of the entire household, including the dog’s success. So how do we teach children and dogs to not only live safely together, but to form thriving partnerships? In this talk we will look at some of the ways child-dog relationships differ from adult-dog relationships, as well as the developmental and experiential roots of these differences. We will then discuss how training programs can be used to build deeper understanding and more secure bonds between children and their family dog. We will also talk briefly about cats and the ways we are currently expanding these questions and training opportunities to cat-child relationships as well.