Katrina Holland | University College London (original) (raw)
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Papers by Katrina Holland
This thesis explores human–dog relations and knowledge production at the nexus of dogtraining and... more This thesis explores human–dog relations and knowledge production at the nexus of dogtraining and scientific research, when dogs are trained to detect the odour of human disease via biological samples. Based on twelve months of fieldwork at two dog-training and research organisations, in the UK and USA, this thesis explores the practices through which bio-detection dogs are produced and how knowledge is produced about, and with, them. Whilst a growing body of scholarship exists across and beyond the social sciences, on both human–animal relations and the role of animals in laboratory practices, the relatively recent emergence of research practices involving bio-detection dogs illustrates a novel mode of incorporating animals into scientific practice that has, until now, evaded theoretical analysis. By focusing on this practice, this thesis contributes original insights to the literature regarding both multispecies relationships and science studies. Consistent with the intellectual c...
Animals, 2019
Given the prevalence of pet dogs in households throughout the world, decisions regarding dog acqu... more Given the prevalence of pet dogs in households throughout the world, decisions regarding dog acquisition affect many people each year. Across the stages of dog acquisition there is potential for practices that may promote or compromise canine welfare. For instance, prospective owners may not fully understand the time, energy and financial commitment entailed in their decision to acquire a dog. Thus, it is pressing that stakeholders, including those working in the canine welfare sector, refine their ability to identify and respond to trends in the behavior of potential dog owners. The motivations, attitudes and behaviors of current and prospective dog owners is a small but growing area of interdisciplinary study. Yet, no synthesis of the evidence exists. To address this gap, this critical review collates data and insights from studies published by academic researchers and animal welfare charities. The most widely reported factors associated with acquisition behavior include: the dog’...
Animals
On 23 March 2020, the UK Government imposed a nationwide lockdown as part of efforts to mitigate ... more On 23 March 2020, the UK Government imposed a nationwide lockdown as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. This study aimed to explore how the experience of dog ownership in the UK was impacted during this lockdown. Data for this research came from open-ended survey questions and an electronic diary completed by members of the general public and participants involved in “Generation Pup”, an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of dogs. A total of 10,510 free-text entries were analysed. Three major themes emerged: spending time at home with dog(s), walking practices, and behaviour and training. Owners valued having more time than usual with their dog(s) but also recognised that spending extra time with their dog(s) may negatively impact on the dog’s future ability to cope when left alone. However, very few owners provided alone time for their dog(s) during the lockdown. The opportunity to walk their dog(s) as part of their permitted daily exercise was regarded positively, ...
Animals
Initial COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom (23 March–12 May 2020) prompted life... more Initial COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom (23 March–12 May 2020) prompted lifestyle changes for many people. We explored the impact of this lockdown phase on pet dogs using an online survey completed by 6004 dog owners, who provided information including dog management data for the 7 days prior to survey completion (4–12 May 2020), and for February 2020 (pre-lockdown). We explored associations between potential predictors and four outcomes relating to changes pre-/during lockdown (reduction in number and duration of walks; increased frequency of play/training, and provision of toys). Most owners (79.5%) reported their dog’s routine had changed compared to pre-lockdown. There was a four-fold increase in the proportion not left alone for >5 min on any day during a weekly period (14.6% pre-lockdown, 58.0% during lockdown), with the proportion being left for ≥3 h at a time decreasing from 48.5% to 5.4%. Dogs were walked less often and for less time daily during loc...
Animals, 2019
Simple Summary: Each year, many people around the world get a pet dog. With so many different typ... more Simple Summary: Each year, many people around the world get a pet dog. With so many different types and breeds of dogs available, and a variety of sources from which to obtain a dog, the process of getting a dog can be complex. The decisions involved in this process are likely influenced by a variety of human-and dog-related factors and this review explores the factors that appear to be the most important. Abstract: Given the prevalence of pet dogs in households throughout the world, decisions regarding dog acquisition affect many people each year. Across the stages of dog acquisition there is potential for practices that may promote or compromise canine welfare. For instance, prospective owners may not fully understand the time, energy and financial commitment entailed in their decision to acquire a dog. Thus, it is pressing that stakeholders, including those working in the canine welfare sector, refine their ability to identify and respond to trends in the behavior of potential dog owners. The motivations, attitudes and behaviors of current and prospective dog owners is a small but growing area of interdisciplinary study. Yet, no synthesis of the evidence exists. To address this gap, this critical review collates data and insights from studies published by academic researchers and animal welfare charities. The most widely reported factors associated with acquisition behavior include: the dog's physical appearance, behavior and health; social influences, such as trends in the popularity of certain breeds; demographic and socioeconomic factors; and the owner's previous ownership experience. Overall, the research discussed in this paper highlights that complex interactions likely underpin the various factors that might influence prospective owners' motivators and behaviors.
This paper is an exploration of the communicative relationship between human and dog. By taking t... more This paper is an exploration of the communicative relationship between human and dog. By taking the view that language is not a prerequisite to generating inter-specific meaning, this paper analyses the modes of communication used by humans and dogs to generate authentic social relationships. A consideration of the cognitive capabilities of the dog, referencing studies in animal behaviour and cognitive psychology, provides an overview of the dog’s remarkable capacity to respond to human communicative cues, and to initiate human action. How humans respond to seeing such human-like abilities in dogs is then explored through an analysis of (the presently limited) anthropological and sociological material, illuminated by personal observations of human-dog interaction. It is argued that the concept of anthropomorphism helps humans to overcome the human/animal boundary and to work toward the practical alliance of two minds. Seeing parts of their own selves in the dog, reflected in the way owners “speak for” their dogs as they actively construct the dog’s mind, ultimately leads to a re-affirmation of what it is to be human. The absence of a shared language is what maintains human separation apart from and above all other animals including dogs, yet paradoxically it is also, to a great extent, what makes the unique human–dog bond so extraordinary.
This thesis explores human–dog relations and knowledge production at the nexus of dogtraining and... more This thesis explores human–dog relations and knowledge production at the nexus of dogtraining and scientific research, when dogs are trained to detect the odour of human disease via biological samples. Based on twelve months of fieldwork at two dog-training and research organisations, in the UK and USA, this thesis explores the practices through which bio-detection dogs are produced and how knowledge is produced about, and with, them. Whilst a growing body of scholarship exists across and beyond the social sciences, on both human–animal relations and the role of animals in laboratory practices, the relatively recent emergence of research practices involving bio-detection dogs illustrates a novel mode of incorporating animals into scientific practice that has, until now, evaded theoretical analysis. By focusing on this practice, this thesis contributes original insights to the literature regarding both multispecies relationships and science studies. Consistent with the intellectual c...
Animals, 2019
Given the prevalence of pet dogs in households throughout the world, decisions regarding dog acqu... more Given the prevalence of pet dogs in households throughout the world, decisions regarding dog acquisition affect many people each year. Across the stages of dog acquisition there is potential for practices that may promote or compromise canine welfare. For instance, prospective owners may not fully understand the time, energy and financial commitment entailed in their decision to acquire a dog. Thus, it is pressing that stakeholders, including those working in the canine welfare sector, refine their ability to identify and respond to trends in the behavior of potential dog owners. The motivations, attitudes and behaviors of current and prospective dog owners is a small but growing area of interdisciplinary study. Yet, no synthesis of the evidence exists. To address this gap, this critical review collates data and insights from studies published by academic researchers and animal welfare charities. The most widely reported factors associated with acquisition behavior include: the dog’...
Animals
On 23 March 2020, the UK Government imposed a nationwide lockdown as part of efforts to mitigate ... more On 23 March 2020, the UK Government imposed a nationwide lockdown as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. This study aimed to explore how the experience of dog ownership in the UK was impacted during this lockdown. Data for this research came from open-ended survey questions and an electronic diary completed by members of the general public and participants involved in “Generation Pup”, an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of dogs. A total of 10,510 free-text entries were analysed. Three major themes emerged: spending time at home with dog(s), walking practices, and behaviour and training. Owners valued having more time than usual with their dog(s) but also recognised that spending extra time with their dog(s) may negatively impact on the dog’s future ability to cope when left alone. However, very few owners provided alone time for their dog(s) during the lockdown. The opportunity to walk their dog(s) as part of their permitted daily exercise was regarded positively, ...
Animals
Initial COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom (23 March–12 May 2020) prompted life... more Initial COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom (23 March–12 May 2020) prompted lifestyle changes for many people. We explored the impact of this lockdown phase on pet dogs using an online survey completed by 6004 dog owners, who provided information including dog management data for the 7 days prior to survey completion (4–12 May 2020), and for February 2020 (pre-lockdown). We explored associations between potential predictors and four outcomes relating to changes pre-/during lockdown (reduction in number and duration of walks; increased frequency of play/training, and provision of toys). Most owners (79.5%) reported their dog’s routine had changed compared to pre-lockdown. There was a four-fold increase in the proportion not left alone for >5 min on any day during a weekly period (14.6% pre-lockdown, 58.0% during lockdown), with the proportion being left for ≥3 h at a time decreasing from 48.5% to 5.4%. Dogs were walked less often and for less time daily during loc...
Animals, 2019
Simple Summary: Each year, many people around the world get a pet dog. With so many different typ... more Simple Summary: Each year, many people around the world get a pet dog. With so many different types and breeds of dogs available, and a variety of sources from which to obtain a dog, the process of getting a dog can be complex. The decisions involved in this process are likely influenced by a variety of human-and dog-related factors and this review explores the factors that appear to be the most important. Abstract: Given the prevalence of pet dogs in households throughout the world, decisions regarding dog acquisition affect many people each year. Across the stages of dog acquisition there is potential for practices that may promote or compromise canine welfare. For instance, prospective owners may not fully understand the time, energy and financial commitment entailed in their decision to acquire a dog. Thus, it is pressing that stakeholders, including those working in the canine welfare sector, refine their ability to identify and respond to trends in the behavior of potential dog owners. The motivations, attitudes and behaviors of current and prospective dog owners is a small but growing area of interdisciplinary study. Yet, no synthesis of the evidence exists. To address this gap, this critical review collates data and insights from studies published by academic researchers and animal welfare charities. The most widely reported factors associated with acquisition behavior include: the dog's physical appearance, behavior and health; social influences, such as trends in the popularity of certain breeds; demographic and socioeconomic factors; and the owner's previous ownership experience. Overall, the research discussed in this paper highlights that complex interactions likely underpin the various factors that might influence prospective owners' motivators and behaviors.
This paper is an exploration of the communicative relationship between human and dog. By taking t... more This paper is an exploration of the communicative relationship between human and dog. By taking the view that language is not a prerequisite to generating inter-specific meaning, this paper analyses the modes of communication used by humans and dogs to generate authentic social relationships. A consideration of the cognitive capabilities of the dog, referencing studies in animal behaviour and cognitive psychology, provides an overview of the dog’s remarkable capacity to respond to human communicative cues, and to initiate human action. How humans respond to seeing such human-like abilities in dogs is then explored through an analysis of (the presently limited) anthropological and sociological material, illuminated by personal observations of human-dog interaction. It is argued that the concept of anthropomorphism helps humans to overcome the human/animal boundary and to work toward the practical alliance of two minds. Seeing parts of their own selves in the dog, reflected in the way owners “speak for” their dogs as they actively construct the dog’s mind, ultimately leads to a re-affirmation of what it is to be human. The absence of a shared language is what maintains human separation apart from and above all other animals including dogs, yet paradoxically it is also, to a great extent, what makes the unique human–dog bond so extraordinary.