Recognition of aggressive and anxious behaviors in canines by a group of Chilean veterinarians

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of veterinarians to recognize and interpret cues of aggression and anxiety in domestic dogs. Clinical veterinary ethology is defined as the science of diagnosing and treating primary behavioral disorders, including those caused by clinical disease and suboptimal performance (Luescher et al., 1989). This field of study is relevant given the expansion of human-animal relationships, which consequently increases the chances of animal behavioral issues (Chávez and Ubilla, 2014). A study conducted by Raffo (2015) determined that most people can correctly interpret canine body postures. However, no quantitative evidence supports the notion that veterinarians can recognize canine cues better than the general populace. This investigation focused on the recognition of canine aggression and anxiety by experienced veterinarians. A total of 139 veterinarians were surveyed. Highly experienced veterinarians excelled at recognizing canine behavior, but those with little to moderate experience performed poorly. Differences by sex were found, but results were inconclusive. While 66.18% (N = 93) of veterinarians recognized cues of aggression and anxiety, only 49.39% (N = 69) provided correct interpretations. This finding means that nearly 40% of veterinarians are at a greater risk for canine bites due to inadequately recognizing anticipatory cues of aggression. Finally, more than half of the surveyed veterinarians believed themselves able to recognize and interpret nonverbal cues in canines, but their actual abilities were considerably lower. In terms of job safety, this overconfidence would place veterinarians at a greater risk for being bitten.