Attention towards a handler in behavioural tests contributes to low ‘Distraction’ in guide dogs

Abstract

Guide dogs are one type of assistance dogs in Japan that help individuals who are visually impaired. The qualification of candidate dogs is judged based on temperament and health. Previously, our group showed that ‘Distraction’ was the most influential behavioural trait for qualification at the Japan Guide Dog Association (JGDA). In this study, to examine the underlying behavioural sub-traits associated with ‘Distraction’, we conducted behavioural tests focusing on the overall activity of candidate dogs and the degree to which they paid attention to a handler. The subjects were 59 candidate guide dogs (Labrador Retrievers) born and reared at the JGDA. At 7 weeks of age, we measured behavioural responses under the following situations: Isolation (5 min), Experimenter Entering (5 min), Elevation (30 s), and Restraint (30 s). At 14 months of age (during the second month of training), we measured behavioural responses and physiological responses (heart rate) under the following situations: Kennel (10 min), Isolation (5 min), and Experimenter Entering (5 min). When the dogs were 15 months of age (during the third month of training), we asked experienced trainers to complete a questionnaire to calculate the ‘Distraction’ score. We used multiple regression analysis (MRA) to examine the association between the ‘Distraction’ score, behavioural responses, and physiological responses at 7 weeks and 14 months of age. We found that dogs with lower ‘Distraction’ scores, i.e., less distractable, spent more time engaged in “struggle” behaviour in the Elevation condition at 7 weeks of age. At 14 months of age, they spent less time engaged in “active movement” and had a higher heart rate in the Isolation condition, and they spent more time engaged in “gaze” behaviour in the Experimenter Entering condition. According to the coefficient of determination and the standardized coefficients in the MRA, “gaze” in the Experimenter Entering condition had a comparatively large effect. Therefore, attention towards a handler, interpreted as “gaze”, appears to be an important underlying behavioural sub-trait for ‘Distraction’ compared with overall activity. These findings are expected to contribute to improving the training efficiency of guide dogs through the modification of both the training and breeding strategy.