Sex of Walker Influences Scent-marking Behavior of Shelter Dogs.

Betty Mcguire,Logan Underkofler,Kentner Fry,Destiny Orantes,Stephen Parry

doi:10.3390/ani10040632

Betty Mcguire, Logan Underkofler + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040632

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Abstract

Simple SummaryIn diverse settings, human presence and handling influence the behavior and physiology of other animals, often causing increased vigilance and stress, especially if the human is unfamiliar. Domestic dogs are unusual in that human interaction often reduces stress and behavioral signs of stress. Nevertheless, there is some evidence that the sex of an unfamiliar person can influence canine behavior. To determine whether sex of an unfamiliar walker might influence the behavior of dogs at an animal shelter, we observed 100 dogs during leash walks and recorded all occurrences of scent-marking behaviors. Male dogs urinated at higher rates when walked by unfamiliar women than when walked by unfamiliar men. Female dogs urinated at similar rates when walked by unfamiliar men and unfamiliar women. Sex of walker also influenced urinary posture in male dogs. Both male and female dogs were more likely to defecate when walked by unfamiliar women than when walked by unfamiliar men. Based on our findings, and those of others, we suggest that the sex of all observers and handlers be reported in behavioral studies of dogs and considered in behavioral evaluations at animal shelters, where results can impact whether or not a dog is made available for adoption.Interactions with humans influence the behavior and physiology of other animals, and the response can vary with sex and familiarity. Dogs in animal shelters face challenging conditions and although contact with humans typically reduces stress and behaviors associated with stress, evidence indicates that shelter dogs react differently to unfamiliar men and women. Given that some aspects of canine scent-marking behavior change under fearful conditions, we examined whether sex of an unfamiliar walker would influence scent-marking behavior of 100 shelter dogs during leash walks. Male dogs urinated at higher rates when walked by unfamiliar women than when walked by unfamiliar men; female dogs urinated at similar rates when walked by unfamiliar women and unfamiliar men. Sex of walker influenced urinary posture in male dogs, but not in female dogs. Both male and female dogs were more likely to defecate when walked by unfamiliar women than by unfamiliar men. Based on our findings that shelter dogs behave differently in the presence of unfamiliar men and women, we suggest that researchers conducting behavioral studies of dogs record, consider in analyses, and report the sex of observers and handlers as standard practice. We also recommend recording the sex of shelter staff present at behavioral evaluations because the results of these evaluations can impact dog welfare.

Highlights

Human presence and handling can affect the behavior and physiology of other animals, including species living in the wild [1,2,3,4] and in captive settings, such as zoos [5,6], farms [7,8,9], and research laboratories [10]
We found that two scent-marking behaviors of shelter dogs—urination and defecation—were influenced by the sex of an unfamiliar walker
Lore and Eisenberg [32] found that male dogs spent less time near an unfamiliar man than an unfamiliar woman, whereas female dogs did not differ in this regard; the authors found a similar pattern for direct body contact with an unfamiliar man and an unfamiliar woman

Summary

Introduction

Human presence and handling can affect the behavior and physiology of other animals, including species living in the wild [1,2,3,4] and in captive settings, such as zoos [5,6], farms [7,8,9], and research laboratories [10]. Domestic dogs present a somewhat special case in which contact with humans typically reduces both stress and the performance of behaviors associated with stress [18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26] This has been shown in animal shelters where dogs experience challenging conditions, such as isolation, lack of control, and exposure to unfamiliar people, dogs, and surroundings. Various forms of physical contact with humans (e.g., petting, massaging, and grooming) and different types of interactions with humans (e.g., walks, play sessions, training sessions, and having a person sit passively in the same enclosure), have been shown to reduce physiological measures of stress [18,19,20], produce favorable changes in behavior [21], or both [22,23,24,25,26]

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