Risk factors for human-directed aggression by dogs: the human side of the problem. A two-part systematic review and narrative synthesis

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 106552 - 106552

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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The Animal Welfare Science of Working Dogs: Current Perspectives on Recent Advances and Future Directions

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8

Published: Oct. 15, 2021

Working dogs are prevalent throughout our societies, assisting people in diverse contexts, from explosives detection and livestock herding, to therapy partners. Our scientific exploration understanding of animal welfare have grown dramatically over the last decade. As community attitudes toward use animals continue change, applying this new knowledge improve everyday lives working will underpin sustainability with these roles. The aim report was consider studies decade (2011-2021) relation modern ethics, human interaction, five domains welfare: nutrition, environment, behavioral physical health, mental state. Using framework, we were able analyze concept contribution dog science. Noting some key advances across full life cycle, identify future directions opportunities for interdisciplinary research optimize welfare. Prioritizing practice be critical assure ongoing relationship between as co-workers.

Language: Английский

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Audience effect on domestic dogs’ behavioural displays and facial expressions

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: June 13, 2022

Abstract In the present study we investigated influence of positive and negative arousal situations presence an audience on dogs’ behavioural displays facial expressions. We exposed dogs to anticipation, non-social frustration social evoking test sessions measured pre post-test salivary cortisol concentrations. Cortisol concentration did not increase during tests there was no difference in or concentrations different conditions, excluding a level arousal. Displacement behaviours “looking away” “sniffing environment” occurred more frustration-evoking compared anticipation were correlated with “Ears forward” condition positively influenced by audience, negatively pre-test concentrations, suggesting it may be good indicator attention. flattener”, “blink”, “nose lick”, “tail wagging” “whining” associated but communicative component these visual displays. These findings are first step systematically which subtle cues could considered signals domestic dogs.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the relationship between horse-owner attributes and their approach to horse training

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 20

Published: June 20, 2024

The way horses are trained has implications for equine welfare and training success, yet little is known about the factors that influence horse-owners' choice of approach (TA). Limited understanding in area will likely hinder development dissemination evidence-based advice to owners. Consequently, this study aims identify demographic attitudinal horse-owner TA selection. A 22-question online survey collected information from 1,593 horse-owners their demographics, equestrian activities, goals beliefs. Participants rated how they were use six different horse TAs on a five-point scale. Multinomial regression analysis Spearman's correlation coefficients used associated with likelihood using each TA. Several reported use, including age, gender identity, goals, industry role whether had animal behavior. Beliefs sentience, cognitive ability science should inform correlated applying aversives. This provides insight further research educational strategies reduce approaches may compromise welfare.

Language: Английский

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Educational Apps and Dog Behavioural Problem Prevention: Associations Between the Zigzag Dog-Training App and Behavioural Problems

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4), P. 520 - 520

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Behavioural problems in dogs are a major welfare concern for both and owners, which can lead to relinquishment or euthanasia. As such, it is important find ways minimize the risk of development severity problematic behaviour. Such interventions should ideally occur early dog's need be widely easily accessible. One way implement such interventions, given modern smart phone use, via an educational application (app). Here, we conducted cross-sectional observational study where sought estimate associations between use Zigzag dog-training app (Zigzag Pet Care Services Ltd.) behaviours. We focused on subset survey population (n = 367) who did no training at all 194) only used (did not attend formal classes person training; n 173). Proportional odds ordinal logistic regression models were ratios 95% confidence intervals range behaviours as function percentage completion first four chapters while controlling age, sex, health, puppy was from. While sample sizes relatively small wide, 19 out 21 ratio point estimates favour being lower with increasing (the remaining 2 marginally above 1). There good evidence that increased any On contrary, there reasonable against null hypothesis association reducing familiar aggression, house soiling, chewing, barking, escaping, noise fear. causal effects cannot claimed, overall, reported favourable suggest further warranted.

Language: Английский

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Owner-Perceived Undesirable Behaviours in Young Dogs and Changes with Age

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(8), P. 1163 - 1163

Published: April 17, 2025

Dog behaviour that owners perceive as undesirable can compromise dog welfare, impact the owner and human–animal bond, may result in relinquishment or euthanasia. This longitudinal study explored type percentage of owner-perceived behaviours 6, 9, 12, 15 18-month-old dogs, examined differences prevalence four commonly reported across these timepoints. Owners their dog’s via free-text answers self-administered surveys. Of five timepoints studied, highest dogs by to display one more was 12-month survey (42.1%, 513/1219). Barking, jumping up, pulling on lead recall issues were most all Binomial mixed-effects models revealed a significant difference barking, between timepoints, but no occurrence up at people. With many this being behaviour, it is crucial stakeholders inform owners, especially first-time about they experience from young where seek appropriate training/behaviour advice potentially reduce risk related behaviour.

Language: Английский

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Testing the Level of Cortisol in Dogs

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(9), P. 1197 - 1197

Published: April 23, 2025

This paper focuses on cortisol levels in different dog matrices, emphasising the importance of non-invasive sampling for animal welfare and research ethics. The study reviewed over 18,000 articles from various databases, identifying 78 relevant studies that met inclusion criteria. findings reveal a growing trend matrices like saliva, hair, urine, reliably reflecting acute chronic stress responses while minimising during sampling. Other sample types, such as blood, are becoming less used due to their stress-inducing factors. Such an approach aligns with concerns regarding animals’ design. Each type contributes unique perspective, matrix choice depends objectives. Rather than one being universally superior or more reliable, they offer complementary data enhance our understanding animal’s profile. Cortisol concentrations may be influenced by many factors, environmental ones, living conditions, genetic social ones. analysis challenges often research, small sizes lack official assessment protocols. In future, researchers should focus interdisciplinary incorporating behavioural measures, other physiological indicators, refining methods. Those practices would canine evaluation promote ethical clinical practical settings.

Language: Английский

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Regular positive reinforcement training increases contact-seeking behaviour in horses

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 252, P. 105651 - 105651

Published: May 7, 2022

Horses are commonly trained using negative reinforcement. However, a growing body of scientific evidence supports positive reinforcement as an efficient training method for horses. In this study we investigated the effects adding small but regular amount to horses with A total 36 privately owned not previously were divided into (N = 17) and control 19) group. The owners in group asked follow plan based on eight nine weeks, addition their normal training. continued usual All subjected behavioural tests before after period: motionless human test assess contact-seeking behaviour cognitive bias emotional state. Mane hair samples obtained from all at start end period analyse cortisol concentrations expression long-term stress. addition, filled out questionnaire about perceived relationship period. We found that engaged more physical contact (P 0.050) unfamiliar person compared before. also tended improve owner-assessed score 0.072). They did not, however, show changes state assessed by > 0.1). Furthermore, no difference between groups terms concentrations. conclude can increase horses' towards humans is enough or stress levels.

Language: Английский

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Comparison of the Efficacy and Welfare of Different Training Methods in Stopping Chasing Behavior in Dogs

Animals, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(18), P. 2632 - 2632

Published: Sept. 11, 2024

Controversy surrounds the efficacy and welfare implications of different forms dog training with several studies asserting that electronic shock collars have negative impacts while not being more effective than non-aversive methods. However, these did specify schedule intensity punishment used or effectiveness method. In current study, we attempted to train dogs across six sessions desist from chasing a fast-moving lure in one three randomly assigned conditions then tested for retention generalization four further test trials. Group A was trained e-collars; B methods moving as A; C but initially slowly before its speed progressively increased. All stopped running towards after two sessions, none chased first tests: 67% final novel arena. None either successfully refrained any test. Video behavior coding indicated few stress-related behaviors groups.

Language: Английский

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The Science and Social Validity of Companion Animal Welfare: Functionally Defined Parameters in a Multidisciplinary Field

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(11), P. 1850 - 1850

Published: June 1, 2023

Social validity refers to the social significance and acceptability of intervention goals, procedures, outcomes. Animal practitioners, who are often guided by principles ABA, lack benefit verbal participants (at least with respect target animals) which assess a client's needs preferences. The study learner's welfare is useful for determining areas where needed or how learner feels about an that underway. Three tenets animal measurement include physiological function, naturalistic behavior, affect, affect private events, including emotions, function same variables contingencies responsible controlling public behavior. development new technologies allows us look "under skin" account subjective experiences can now be observed objectively. We introduce reader tools available from sciences objective perspective.

Language: Английский

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