Canine Behavior Problems Research Articles

The role of dogs is associated with owner management practices and characteristics, but not with perceived canine behaviour problems

AbstractOwned dogs are often regarded as family members, best friends, or even as substitutes for children. These new roles and their effects on human well-being have received scientific attention, but little is known about how attributing such social functions to dogs might influence the caring behaviour of the owner, which in turn can impact canine welfare. Our online survey of Hungarian dog owners (N = 790) aimed to describe what owners appreciate the most and the least in their dogs and to investigate the relationship between the social and non-social functions of the dog, the characteristics of the owner and the dog, the management practices of the owner, as well as the dog’s behaviour, including behaviour problems. We found that most owners appreciated petting and physical contact with their dog (97.6%), followed by ‘unconditional love’ (93.7%), the dog’s beauty (88.4%), and walking with the dog (86.5%). The most frequently mentioned problems were socialisation issues (20.4%) and lack of time (15.9%). Regarding canine behaviour, jumping up (33.2%), chasing animals (28.5%), territoriality (26.7%), and overexcitement (20.9%) were common problems. Almost a quarter of owners rated their dogs as totally obedient and 30.6% as totally safe off-leash. We identified three profiles of dog owners based on the roles they attribute to their dogs. Dogs with both companionship and practical functions (31.1%) were perceived as more obedient and provided higher safety benefits to their owners than others. Dogs regarded as ‘companion animals’ (19.4%) spent less time with their owners and had older owners than others. Lastly, owners labelled as ‘dog parents’ (49.5%) were more likely to keep their dog indoors only than others. Importantly, the roles attributed to dogs were not associated with owner-reported canine behaviour problems. We concluded that while the functions humans attribute to dogs are multiple and appear to have direct implications for the dogs’ daily lives, these variations in management practices do not necessarily seem to compromise their welfare.

The prevalence of behavior problems in dogs in the United States

Numerous studies have reported the prevalence of various behavior problems in dogs and cats around the world. The actual number of animals included in each varies but is typically less than 1000. The reported prevalence of the behavior problem also varies considerably. It was thought that data from 43,517 dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project (DAP), entered by their owners, might provide a more realistic picture of canine behavior problems in the United States. All behavior questions included in the DAP were taken from the C-BARQ and mini C-BARQ questionnaires and included four multi-question categories (i.e., aggression, separation and attachment behaviors, fear and anxiety behaviors, and housesoiling) and seven behaviors asked as single questions. Except for two yes/no questions, all were rated by the owner between 0 (no problem), 2 (moderate) and 4 (serious). Data was analyzed to determine the number of dogs showing moderate (2) to serious (4) levels of behavior appropriate for the question. Overall, 99.12% of dogs showed at least one problem of moderately serious (3) to serious (4) intensity or at least two problems of moderate to serious (2−4) intensity. Within the four multi-question categories, the prevalence of dogs showing moderate (2) to serious (4) behaviors at least twice with the category was 55.6% for aggression, 85.9% for separation and attachment behaviors, 49.9% for fear and anxiety behaviors, and 4.1% for housesoiling.

Preference of dogs towards feeding toys made of natural rubber, and their potential to improve canine behaviour: A study based on owners' observations

Improper feeding methods can be linked to canine behaviour problems, as the conventional bowl-feeding approach fail to mimic natural behaviour and is associated with obesity. Feeding toys can potentially contribute to the enhancement of dog behaviour by mimicking natural hunting behaviour and promoting increased canine activity. Para rubber is a natural rubber with high flexibility and is tolerant of animal teeth, making it safer for animals compared to plastic and silicone. This study had two main objectives: firstly, to examine dogs' preferences for the scent and colour added to a para rubber toy; and secondly, to explore the impact of using para rubber feeding toys on dog behaviours. The feeding toys were produced from natural rubber, with added scents and colours incorporated during their production. Subsequently, these toys were distributed to dog owners for evaluation. Owners completed the Thai version of the C-BARQ questionnaire, which evaluate canine behaviour both prior to and following a month of interaction with the toys. The findings indicated that dogs exhibited a preference for yellow toys over blue ones, as well as a preference for vanilla-scented toys compared to those with a beef scent. Following one month of consistent use of the para rubber toy, dogs tended to reduce various undesirable behaviours. Notably, excitation behaviour showed a nearly threefold decrease, and this reduction was statistically significant (p = 0.003). These outcomes emphasise the potential of natural rubber feeding toys in mitigating excitation-related behaviours, while also highlighting dogs' preference towards specific colours and scents. Consequently, there is a suggestion that enhancing toys with appealing scents or colours might foster greater interaction between dogs and their toys, potentially leading to a positive influence on their overall behavioural welfare.

Use of mirtazapine in the treatment of canine behaviour problems: A review of 32 cases.

Canine behaviour problems seen by speciality behavioural medicine services often involve chronic anxiety disorders that have resulted in maladaptation of the individual to its environment. Common stressors include the presence of other individuals (other dogs or people), noise and being alone. The treatment of these behavioural problems usually includes a combination of behaviour modification, environmental modification and biological therapies. Within the latter, anxiolytic drugs such as clomipramine or fluoxetine have proven useful. Here, we present a retrospectively analysed series of 32 cases that were treated with the anxiolytic drug mirtazapine, which is widely used in human medicine but has not previously been reported for the treatment of behavioural problems in dogs (although it is marketed as an appetite stimulant in cats). Cases included dogs with a range of anxiety-related behavioural problems. Eighty-one percent of dogs that presented with a behavioural problem showed improvement and suspected adverse effects were mild and tolerable. Further studies are required to isolate this result from the other therapeutic measures and to compare its efficacy with other drugs. Mirtazapine appears to be a suitable and safe option for the treatment of anxiety-related behavioural problems in dogs.

Tasipimidine, a novel orally administered alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, alleviates canine acute anxiety associated with owner departure—A pilot study

Separation anxiety in dogs is a problematic behavior characterized by anxiety that occurs exclusively in the owner's absence or virtual absence, resulting in owner complaints of destructiveness, excessive vocalization, and elimination in the home. The consequences of separation anxiety may include that the owners surrender their dog to a shelter, or even have the dog euthanized. Adrenergic alpha-2 agonists have been shown to be effective in alleviating acute canine fear-based behavior problems at subsedative doses. In this study, the objective was to assess the efficacy of tasipimidine, a novel orally administered adrenergic alpha-2 agonist, in alleviating acute anxiety associated with owner departure in dogs. Twelve clinically healthy privately-owned dogs with a history of separation anxiety were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical field study consisting of three 4-day treatment periods in randomized order each followed by a 3-day washout. In each treatment period a different treatment was administered. The three treatments were: placebo, tasipidimine 10ug/kg and tasipidimine 30 ug/kg, all prepared as an oral solution using the same base. At each of the 4-day treatment period study treatment was administered once daily one hour before owner´s departure. Effects of treatment on signs of separation anxiety were assessed by the owner using video recordings. Owner departure related acute anxiety severity score, dog's alertness, usability of the product and adverse events were recorded. Overall, the results showed a statistically significant treatment effect favoring tasipimidine (P= 0.001). When the doses were separately compared to placebo, the dog owners rated the effect of the study treatment more often positively after administering tasipimidine 30 µg/kg compared to placebo (OR 5.40; 95% CI 1.15-25.2; P = 0.032). A statistically significant reduction with the 30 µg/kg dose was seen in destructive/rearranging behavior (P = 0.006) and vocalization (P = 0.036). Most of the dogs were scored to be fully responsive at all time points (66.7%) and able to stand up and walk normally (91.7%), and none of the dogs was scored to be unresponsive or unable to walk. No serious adverse events were reported. The majority of the owners found the product very easy (75.0%) or easy (15.7%) to use. This was a small, cross-over study with one target to select the clinically most suitable dose. Tasipimidine should be further studied in a larger parallel group study to further evaluate its effect as a treatment option for dogs suffering from separation anxiety.

Welfare worries: a preliminary, cross-sectional study of general practice, small animal veterinarians perceptions and management of canine and feline behaviour problems.

Behavioural disease is one of the leading reasons for euthanasia in shelter dogs and cats. Information acquired via a survey of veterinarians (n=59) was used to understand the way canine and feline behaviour problems are viewed and managed by nonshelter, small animal general practice veterinarians. Participants (20%, n=12) felt that the following diseases were more of a welfare issue than behaviour problems: food sensitivity, osteoarthritis, puppy/kitten farms, skin disease, nutritional disease, parasitic disease, dental disease, obesity, in-breeding, over-population, neoplasia, greyhound racing, hyperthyroidism and renal disease. Behaviour problems in dogs and cats were not ranked in the top four welfare problems by 40% (n=23) of respondents. Behaviour case follow-up was poorer than physical health case follow-up. Respondents (20%, n=12) felt that veterinarians should 'possibly' be able to identify behaviour problems in dogs and cats, and 54% (n=32) felt that this was 'absolutely' their professional responsibility. Twelve percent (n=7) would reschedule behaviour appointments that had been booked in for them. Behaviour was more likely to be seen as a welfare issue by more experienced veterinarians and also, those with shelter experience. Half of respondents felt reluctant to discuss behaviour problems with clients because of deficiencies in behaviour knowledge. Eighty percent (n=47) felt their education equipped them poorly or extremely poorly in dealing with behaviour problems in dogs and cats. Consideration should be given for the inclusion of adequate behavioural medicine content in veterinary medicine curriculum to allow for graduates to possess a basic level of training and competency in this discipline.

Creation and Validation of a Tool for Evaluating Caregiver Burnout Syndrome in Owners of Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) Diagnosed with Behavior Disorders.

Simple SummaryGlobally, over half of the human population has at least one companion animal, with the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) standing out above other species. While this bond has mutual benefits, research shows that it can break due to canine behavioral disorders, leading to consequences including abandonment and/or euthanasia. The wear and tear implied by the physical, psychological and emotional demands when facing the care of a sick animal can lead to a continuous and prolonged level of stress, which in human medicine is referred to as caregiver burnout syndrome. Parallels can be drawn with dog owners handling animals with behavioral disorders, which makes it necessary to have a validated measurement instrument for this problem. The exhaustion of the caregiver of dependent people is evaluated through the Zarit Scale. The present study, through the Delphi method technique, modified and validated this scale to measure this overload in people with dogs with behavioral disorders. Three levels of overload were obtained (Low, Medium-Low and Medium-High Overload). Having an instrument that allows assessing the level of exhaustion of caregivers of dogs with behavior problems will provide information to help these people, and consequently their dogs, avoid the negative consequences of bond degradation.Currently, domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are the most common species among companion animals. The close bond that can grow between owners and their dogs could be worn out and finally broken due to various causes. One main cause is canine behavioral problems, leading to dogs being abandoned or euthanized due to the costs faced by the owner when caring for the animal. Tools have been developed to evaluate the mental and emotional cost of caring for humans, but there is currently no validated tool for evaluating this particular problem. The objective of this study was to develop a questionnaire to evaluate caregiver burnout syndrome for owners of dogs with behavioral disorders. The methodology used consisted of drafting the tool, peer validation using the Delphi methodology and internal validation via Cronbach’s alpha. Non-linear snowball sampling was used (n = 156 participants). A questionnaire with 35 questions was obtained which referred to various aspects of caregivers’ lives. Regarding the description of the sample used, 50% had Low Burnout, 41% had Medium-Low Burnout and 9% had Medium-High Burnout. Furthermore, regarding the internal validation of the questionnaire, the general Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was α = 0.9468. We can thus conclude that the questionnaire is valid for measuring caregiver burnout syndrome in owners of dogs with behavioral disorders.

Companion Dog Routine Inventory: Scale Validation and the Effect of Routine on the Human–Dog Relationship

ABSTRACT The dimensions and effects of the construct “child routine” have been broadly investigated in the field of social psychology. Three studies were conducted to adapt this construct to the field of human–animal relationships and to measure dog routine. The procedure included the initial item generation and item reduction process. Study 1 was conducted to examine the dimensionality, reliability, and validity of the scale. A total of 245 dog owners from Bogotá (Colombia) participated in this study. The results revealed four dimensions to measure the construct: (1) daily activities, (2) exercise, (3) discipline, and (4) family time. The reliability and validity of the scale were accepted. Study 2 was conducted to test the reliability of the scale in another country and in a different language (German). This study included an analysis of the nomological validity of the scale by examining the association between dog routine and canine behavioral problems. A total of 154 dog owners from Ingolstadt (Germany) participated in this study. The results supported the reliability and validity of the scale. Additionally, the results showed that a consistent routine is associated with reduced behavioral problems. Study 3 was performed to validate the scale in a third language (English) and to examine the associations between dog routine and behavioral problems, owner satisfaction, and intention to abandon the dog. A total of 182 English-speaking dog owners from Ingolstadt (Germany) participated in this study. The results showed that a consistent routine is associated with reduced behavioral problems, which is associated with higher owner satisfaction and reduced intention to abandon the animal. The implications of these results in the field of human–animal relationships and thoughts on future research are presented.

Behavioural and Physiological Correlates of the Canine Frustration Questionnaire.

Simple SummaryFrustration is a negative emotional state implicated in a range of canine behaviour problems. The Canine Frustration Questionnaire (CFQ) is an owner questionnaire developed to measure frustration tendencies in dogs. This study looks at behavioural and physiological measures and their relationship with the CFQ. A series of tests were designed to induce frustration in dogs, and these were completed by 44 dogs; each dog owner completed a CFQ. Specific behavioural measures were coded from the test footage, and the relationships with the CFQ scores were assessed. In addition, a saliva sample was collected before and after the test in 39 dogs so that cortisol, a measure of physiological arousal, could be measured. Various behavioural test measures (e.g., vocalising and lunging) were associated with CFQ scores. Cortisol change and cortisol levels after the tests were greater in dogs who were more highly frustrated. These results support the use of owner report through the CFQ to measure frustration tendencies.Frustration is a negative emotional state implicated in a range of canine behaviour problems. The Canine Frustration Questionnaire (CFQ) is the first psychometric tool developed to assess frustration tendencies in dogs based on owner report. However, to date, no published studies have assessed behavioural and physiological correlates of this trait. A novel behaviour test battery was developed to induce frustration in dogs, mapping onto the CFQ. Forty-four dogs were recruited and filmed whilst undertaking the test battery, and a CFQ was completed by each owner. Targeted behavioural measures were assessed from this footage, based on hypotheses aimed at evaluating convergent and discriminant validity with facets of the CFQ. In addition, a saliva sample was collected pre- and post-testing for 39 dogs, and a cortisol assay performed using ELISA to provide a physiological measure of arousal. A range of predicted behavioural test measures (e.g., vocalising and lunging) positively correlated with CFQ scores. For 22 dogs with pre-test salivary cortisol levels of <4 ng/mL (indicative of normal arousal at baseline), cortisol change and post-test cortisol levels positively correlated with the CFQ PC5 ‘Frustration coping’ score. These results provide further evidence of the validity of frustration tendencies as measured by owner report through the CFQ.

Owner Personality, Owner-Dog Attachment, and Canine Demographics Influence Treatment Outcomes in Canine Behavioral Medicine Cases.

Human and canine parameters can affect the development of canine behavior problems, although their influence on the dog's response to veterinary behavioral treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the possible associations between canine behavior following clinical intervention and canine demographic characteristics, owner personality and owner-dog attachment. The study included 131 dog-owner dyads who attended a veterinary behavioral service. Owners completed the C-BARQ at baseline, 3-months and 6-months, and the 10 Item Personality Inventory and Lexington Attachment to Pet Scale at baseline. Data were analyzed for the effect of clinical intervention on C-BARQ subscale scores using mixed effect models. Binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between behavior change and canine and owner parameters. Within 6-months of veterinary consultation, trainability increased (coefficient 0.03, p = 0.01) and chasing (coefficient −0.04, p = 0.02), separation-related behavior (coefficient −0.04, p = 0.01) and energy level (coefficient −0.04, p = 0.05) decreased. Treatment outcomes were associated with both canine and owner variables. Canine behavior at baseline was the most consistent predictor of behavior change with less desirable baseline behavior associated with greater odds of decreased problem behavior at three- and 6-months post-consultation across most C-BARQ subscales. Canine age and weight; owner conscientiousness, extraversion and openness; and owner-dog attachment were also associated with treatment outcomes for some behavioral categories. These findings could be used by veterinarians to formulate more accurate prognoses and provide owners with targeted advice to reduce the influence of background factors on the dog's response to clinical behavioral intervention.

Social-Cognitive Processes Before Dog Acquisition Associated with Future Relationship Satisfaction of Dog Owners and Canine Behavior Problems

ABSTRACT Making the right decision before acquiring a dog may help prevent the development of canine behavior problems and increase the likelihood of a satisfactory relationship. In this study, social-cognitive factors in decision-making were assessed in the phase before the acquisition of a dog (the motivational phase) to see whether they were associated with later canine behavior problems and satisfaction with the dog after formation of a relationship (the experience phase). Respondents (n = 193) filled in an online questionnaire several months before acquiring a dog and six and 18 months thereafter. Results indicate that the confidence of dog owners in their ability to train and care for a dog—assessed before acquisition—was associated with fewer canine behavior problems, more satisfaction with the dog, and lower perceived costs in the experience phase. Self-efficacy had no effect on consistency between planned and actual acquisition. People scoring high on social norms were more likely to adhere to their plans, while those who expected many advantages were less likely to do so. Moreover, several preparation activities were associated with consistency, with more frequent doubt in the motivational phase being related to greater inconsistency. People who frequently read books about owning dogs and who often talked about this with others were more likely to adhere to their initial plans. In contrast, those who often visited websites offering/selling dogs were less consistent, possibly due to impulse buying. In conclusion, the quality of the relationship with a dog seems partly related to human decision-making factors occurring before the dog has been acquired. Longitudinal studies of human–animal relationships could enhance knowledge concerning the social-cognitive processes underlying our relationships with animals, possibly providing starting points for interventions aimed at improving the welfare of both animals and humans.

Prevalence of 17 feline behavioral problems and relevant factors of each behavior in Japan.

Undesirable behaviors exhibited by cats are regarded as feline behavioral problems. Like canine behavioral problems, feline behavioral problems are commonly reported by owners. Thus, in order to advise cat owners appropriately, veterinarians, particularly general veterinary practitioners, are encouraged to have sufficient knowledge of these problems. However, in ordinary Japanese homes, only a small number of feline behavioral problems have been investigated in terms of prevalence and relevant factors. Comprehensive survey data may improve understanding of feline behavioral problems. In the present study, we distributed an online survey including general information and questions about 17 feline behaviors which can be problematic for owners, to investigate: (1) the prevalence of feline behavioral problems, (2) the most common behavioral problems, and (3) relevant factors for each behavior. We collected 1,376 valid responses. Among all cats, 75.7% exhibited at least one behavioral problem. “Pica” and “Showing fear while on the examination table” were the most frequently reported behavioral problems. To identify factors related to the expression of each behavior, we conducted multiple logistic regression analyses, with the presence of behaviors as objective variables and cats’ general information as explanatory variables. Age, sex, breed, number of cats in the household, and type of residence were each associated with more than one behavior. The present study revealed the prevalence of 17 feline behavioral problems in Japanese homes and relevant factors of each behavior. These findings will help veterinarians understand and address feline behavioral problems.

Canine behaviour problems in Brazil: a review of 180 referral cases

BackgroundBehavioural case loads may vary due to cultural differences, and so it is important to know how these differ with geography.MethodsOne hundred and eighty dog cases referred to a veterinary...

A survey of dog owners’ perceptions on the use of psychoactive medications and alternatives for the treatment of canine behavior problems

To evaluate dog owners' opinions regarding the use of psychoactive medications and alternatives in dogs, 513 past or present dog owners completed an online, anonymous survey. Owners reported their comfort levels, concerns, and relevant decision factors regarding the use of psychoactive medications (divided into categories of fast-acting/situational and slow-acting/daily medications), herbal or nutritional supplements, pheromonal products, and cannabinoid products for their dogs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric correlation analysis. Dog owners were more comfortable overall with the use of fast-acting versus slow-acting medications (62.3% [N = 320] and 42.7% [N = 219] were comfortable, respectively). The most concerning undesirable effects for owners were sedation, potential for addiction, and changing their dog's personality in a negative way. Most dog owners (90.3%, N = 463) considered proven effectiveness to be an important consideration factor when considering psychoactive medication or alternative use for their dogs, followed by ease of administration (79.9%, N = 410), veterinarian recommendation (77.4%, N = 397), and cost (76.6%, N = 393). Owners who had a personal history of taking psychoactive medications for anxiety or depression expressed higher comfort levels giving their dogs fast-acting medications, slow-acting medications, pheromonal products, and cannabinoids than owners who had not taken these products. The information gathered in this study will help veterinarians understand their clients' attitudes toward psychoactive medications and alternatives and be prepared to address owners' questions and concerns.

Demographics and comorbidity of behavior problems in dogs

Periodic canine population studies establish essential frames of reference for analyzing trends in demographics and the prevalence of problematic behaviors. An understanding of the correlations between individual behavior problems can shed light on the pathogenesis and comorbidity of various conditions. It is our hope that the results of this substantial study will help to confirm those of previous studies, provide new data about behavior problems, and, by association, help establish their etiology. In this study, we hosted a public, online questionnaire to capture up-to-date demographic and behavior problem metrics. Surveyed problematic behaviors include fear/anxiety, aggression, jumping, excessive barking, coprophagia, obsessive-compulsive/compulsive behaviors, house soiling, rolling in repulsive materials, overactivity/hyperactivity, destructive behavior, running away/escaping, and mounting/humping. The study sample consisted of 4114 dogs, spanning mixed and pure breeds, submitted by 2480 dog owners. Male and female dogs were equally represented, a majority of which were neutered. The prevalence of canine behavior problems was 85%. We found sex, neuter status, origin, and lineage to have a notable effect on the prevalence of behavior problems. We also found age, neutered status, origin, and lineage to have a notable effect on the number of behavior problems per dog. Owners were asked to provide details of any behavior problem they reported such as intensity, frequency, and situation in which the behavior problem occurred. We examined the problematic behaviors in terms of their overall prevalence, and characteristics, and computed correlations between the various behavior problems. The findings from our study provide insight into the magnitude of owner-reported canine behavior problems encountered by owners and hopefully will encourage veterinarians to further incorporate aspects of behavior problem management into their daily work.

Prevalence of 25 canine behavioral problems and relevant factors of each behavior in Japan.

Undesirable behaviors exhibited by dogs are called canine behavioral problems. Behavioral problems are common among dogs kept in ordinary homes; hence, veterinarians need to have sufficient knowledge of these problems, so as to advise owners. Among dogs kept in ordinary Japanese homes, only a few behaviors have been investigated regarding prevalence and relevant factors. To improve understanding of behavioral problems, a comprehensive survey is crucial. In this study, we distributed an online survey including general information and questions about 25 canine behaviors that can become problematic to owners, to investigate (1) the prevalence of behavioral problem, (2) the most common behavioral problems, and (3) the relevant factors of each behavior. We collected 2,050 valid responses. Among all dogs, 86.0% exhibited at least one behavioral problem. “Barking at noises inside the house”, “Barking at unfamiliar visitors”, and “Pica” were the most frequent behavioral problems. To reveal those factors related to the expression of each behavior, we performed multiple logistic regression analyses, with the presence of behaviors as objective variables and dogs’ general information as explanatory variables. Breed, age, the presence of other dogs in the household, sex, neutering status, source of acquisition, and type of residence were associated with 19, 16, 5, 4, 4, 4, and 1 behaviors, respectively. This study revealed the prevalence of 25 canine behavioral problems in Japan and relevant factors of each behavior. Our findings will be useful for veterinarians in advising owners about preventing behavioral problems.

Lack of association between paw preference and behaviour problems in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris

Evidence suggests that paw preferences are related to emotional functioning in the domestic dog. Whether motor bias in this species is related to the display of behaviour problems, which often have their basis in emotional reactivity, is still unknown. This study therefore explored the relationship between lateralised motor behaviour in the form of paw preferences and the occurrence of canine behaviour problems. Fifty-two dogs presenting with one or more behaviour problems, and 61 control animals, had their paw preferences assessed using the commonly employed Kong™ ball test. The dogs’ behavioural profile was determined using the C-BARQ, a psychometric tool designed to provide standardized evaluations of canine behaviour. Analysis revealed a roughly equal split in the proportion of dogs classified as ambilateral and lateralised, although dogs were more like to be ambilateral than left- or right-pawed. Dogs differed significantly in their behavioural profile, with animals in the behaviour problem group displaying more severe patterns of stranger- and dog-directed aggression and fear, non-social fear and touch sensitivity than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in the distribution, direction or strength of the dogs’ paw use between the two groups of animals. The dogs’ paw preference classification was significantly associated with one of the C-BARQ subscale scores, namely stranger-directed aggression, with left-pawed dogs having lower scores on this subscale than right-pawed or ambilateral animals. The direction of the dogs’ paw use in the behaviour problem group was significantly correlated with C-BARQ scores for the subscales of stranger-directed aggression, stranger-directed fear and attention-seeking behaviour, with higher subscale scores associated with increasing right-pawedness. There was no significant correlation between the direction of the dogs’ paw use and any of the other C-BARQ subscale scores. The strength of the dogs’ paw preferences was not significantly correlated with any of the C-BARQ subscale scores for either the control or behaviour problem group of animals. Canine sex was not significantly related to either the dogs’ paw preferences or the presentation of behaviour problems. Overall, this study provides little evidence in support of a relationship between paw preference and the occurrence of behaviour problems in the domestic dog. Further, longitudinal, work is recommended in an effort to unravel the ontogeny of lateralisation and its association with emotional reactivity in this species.

Associations between owner personality and psychological status and the prevalence of canine behavior problems.

Behavioral problems are a major source of poor welfare and premature mortality in companion dogs. Previous studies have demonstrated associations between owners’ personality and psychological status and the prevalence and/or severity of their dogs’ behavior problems. However, the mechanisms responsible for these associations are currently unknown. Other studies have detected links between the tendency of dogs to display behavior problems and their owners’ use of aversive or confrontational training methods. This raises the possibility that the effects of owner personality and psychological status on dog behavior are mediated via their influence on the owner’s choice of training methods. We investigated this hypothesis in a self-selected, convenience sample of 1564 current dog owners using an online battery of questionnaires designed to measure, respectively, owner personality, depression, emotion regulation, use of aversive/confrontational training methods, and owner-reported dog behavior. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses identified modest, positive associations between owners’ use of aversive/confrontational training methods and the prevalence/severity of the following dog behavior problems: owner-directed aggression, stranger-directed aggression, separation problems, chasing, persistent barking, and house-soiling (urination and defecation when left alone). The regression models also detected modest associations between owners’ low scores on four of the ‘Big Five’ personality dimensions (Agreeableness, Emotional Stability, Extraversion & Conscientiousness) and their dogs’ tendency to display higher rates of owner-directed aggression, stranger-directed fear, and/or urination when left alone. The study found only weak evidence to support the hypothesis that these relationships between owner personality and dog behavior were mediated via the owners’ use of punitive training methods, but it did detect a more than five-fold increase in the use of aversive/confrontational training techniques among men with moderate depression. Further research is needed to clarify the causal relationship between owner personality and psychological status and the behavioral problems of companion dogs.

Reduced heart rate variability in pet dogs affected by anxiety-related behaviour problems

We present here the first evidence of correlation between canine anxiety-related behavioural problems and heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is known to be related to a range of mental disorders in humans; however this has not been explored in dogs. Behavioural problems in dogs can result in suffering, property destruction and human injury. Dog behaviour problems were assessed by owner questionnaire and the extreme high and low scoring dogs were recruited into either affected (n=10) or unaffected (n=20) groups. HRV was assessed in dogs at their homes, while being held in lateral recumbency for 5min using manual restraint. Salivary cortisol samples were taken before and after HRV testing. Dogs were assessed as either being reactive to the procedure (barking, growling, struggling or shaking) or unreactive. There was no effect of reactivity or behaviour problems on salivary cortisol levels at baseline or in response to the treatment. There was a significant effect of reactivity on HR (F1,26=5.54; P=0.026), and no effect of behaviour problems (F1,26=1.07; P=0.311). There was no effect of reactivity on any of the HRV measures. The presence of behaviour problems had a significant effect on a range of measures of HRV, with unaffected dogs having higher standard deviation of RR intervals (F1,26=6.39; P=0.018), higher high frequency spectrum (F1,26=5.23; P=0.031) and higher low frequency spectrum (F1,26=9.25; P=0.005) power. There was no effect of behaviour problems on very low frequency spectrum power (F1,26=1.40; P=0.248). Together these results provide evidence for a fundamental physiological difference between dogs affected or unaffected with behaviour problems. This study provides evidence for further investigation into the role of HRV in the pathophysiology of canine anxiety-related behaviour problems.

Prevalence of canine behavior problems related to dog-human relationship in South Korea—A pilot study

This population study examined the prevalence of 10 common, broadly classified behavior problems exhibited by dogs reported by 174 dog owners in South Korea. Most respondents (147; 84.5%) stated that their dog exhibited at least one behavior problem. The main behavior problems reported by owners were excessive barking (82; 47.1% of all owners), inappropriate elimination (71; 40.8%), aggressive behavior (62; 35.6%), fearfulness (52; 29.9%), and separation anxiety (48; 27.6%). Male dogs were more likely to exhibit excessive barking and destructiveness than female dogs. Interestingly, neutered dogs showed more unacceptable behaviors than intact dogs, particularly excessive barking, aggression, and excessive activity. Young dogs were less likely than adult dogs to exhibit fearfulness or separation anxiety, but adult dogs were less likely than young dogs to exhibit destructiveness. Statistically significant associations were detected between at least one obedience training session per week and reduced inappropriate elimination (P < 0.05); between no obedience training and increased fearfulness (P < 0.05); between fewer walks and excessive barking (P < 0.05); and between being left home alone for 3 to 6 hours per day and excessive barking (P < 0.05), inappropriate elimination (P < 0.05), and destructiveness (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that there is a need for further detailed analyses of the various factors involved in behavioral problems in companion dogs. Such studies could be useful in improving the quality of the dog-human relationship and animal welfare in South Korea because they could lead to prevention of undesirable behavioral problems and reduction in dog relinquishment.