The application/evaluation of canine behavioural assessments in shelter environments to recognise behavioural problems and adoption suitability.

Abstract

Behavioural assessments have been utilised in shelter environments in Australia and around the world to identify possible stable behavioural repertoires to help in the re-homing process. The assessments are further used to identify behavioural problems in dogs surrendered to shelters. In most cases, dogs are allowed a minimum three to five day acclimation period to the new unfamiliar environment before the assessment is conducted. Whilst the behaviour assessments are used by shelters to predict whether the dog is suitable for re-homing, the dynamic nature of behavioural patterns can introduce the potential for inaccurate assessments and interpretation. A thorough evaluation of the accuracy of the utilised sub-tests within the assessment is therefore required to understand if these methods are satisfactory in identifying behavioural problems and adoption suitability. The overall objective of this research was to review current assessments conducted at RSPCA shelters to understand whether there is a need to create more efficient and effective behavioural assessments, or whether the current assessments provide an accurate picture of a dog's behaviour in the new, adoptive home environment.The primary studies of this research were focused on the assessing the current protocols in place for canine behaviour assessments at RSPCA Qld. but firstly looking at the current literature behind behaviour assessments and outlining their positive applications (Chapter 1 and 2). Secondly, was to focus on if the manifestation of behaviour problems found in the behavioural assessment could be identified in in-kennel over the first five days (Chapter 3). The results from these findings indicated that the in kennel behaviours associated with fear, anxiety, and arousal in dogs were significantly correlated with the same behaviours in the formal assessment. With respect to outcomes, dogs that displayed more whining, tense body posture, standing leaning forward, panting, ears forward, less barking, lowered body and balanced/relaxed body posture, standing still, and standing by the wall had increased odds of failing the behaviour assessment. Over the five days in the kennel, the frequency and duration of fear-related behaviours decreased, suggesting a reduction in arousal as the dog became accustomed to the shelter environment. Thus, the study demonstrates that monitoring kennel behaviour could detect early signs of behaviour problems.The third goal of the thesis was to investigate the predictive value of a standardised test currently used by comparing behaviour assessment information to post adoption survey (Chapter 4). The results identified that friendly/social, fear and anxiousness identified in the shelter assessment significantly predicted their behaviour counterparts post adoption. However, behaviour problems such as aggression, food guarding and separation-related behaviours were not reliably predicted by the standardised behaviour assessment. The results suggest that further research is required to evaluate the predictability of behaviour assessment protocols for more specific behaviour problems that include different categories of aggression and separation-related problems. The fourth goal of the thesis was to identify whether the behaviour assessment could be more efficient and effective by reducing tests and refining current procedures (Chapter 5). The results suggested that the current protocol of 12 test used in the behaviour assessment could be reduced to 8 tests. Furthermore, repeats of the tests can be refined from 3 repeats to only conducting the test once in regards to touch sensitivity, play interactions, response to unusual/unpredictable stimulus, food possession, novel stimulus, time alone, and dog interactions. Current binary scoring of behaviour can be changed to scaling methodology based on behavioural categories. The findings suggest that reduction in testing procedures can help reduce time and refine scoring processes to help create more efficient and effective procedures.Finally, the fifth goal of the thesis was to suggest improvements to the behavioural assessment to identify predictability of the assessment from home information using questionnaire (Chapter 6). The study used information from home behaviour using a questionnaire and the implementation of a behaviour assessment of dogs in society. The results suggested that major findings in the study were consistent with previous chapters results in relation to positive correlations of fear, arousal, friendliness and anxiousness identified in home behaviour and the behaviour assessment. Furthermore, behaviours of friendliness, fearfulness, arousal, anxiousness, and aggression were positively predictive between home behaviour and tests in the behaviour assessment. This research has therefore developed a greater understanding of current canine behaviour assessment protocols used at RSPCA Qld. in regards to predictability of behaviour, behavioural problems and efficiency and effectiveness of testing procedures. This information will allow better identification of behaviour of dogs in shelters via earlier timing of reduced assessments procedures, in-kennel monitoring and re-testing of dogs.