Choice and Agency

The dog’s ability to make meaningful choices and influence what happens during an interaction.

Learned Helplessness

A state in which repeated lack of control can reduce attempts to act, escape, or solve problems.

Trust

Confidence that another individual will behave in a predictable, safe, and understandable way.

Attachment

An emotional bond that influences proximity seeking, security, exploration, and responses to separation.

Social Learning

Learning by observing or interacting with people, dogs, or other animals.

Emotional Contagion

The transfer or alignment of emotional states between individuals through social cues and interaction.