Owner-reported aggressive behavior towards familiar people may be a more prominent occurrence in pet shop-traded dogs

Factors behind the Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats by their Guardians in Portugal

In Portugal, the relinquishment of dogs and cats is a major problem. Thus, the authors developed a questionnaire to understand the factors influencing the relinquishment of companion animals in Portugal. With a view to analyze the factors behind relinquishment by companion animal guardians, the authors analyzed surveys completed by 72 participants, divided into two groups: REL (relinquisher, n = 36), i.e., guardians who had relinquished a companion animal and NREL (non-relinquisher, n = 36) i.e., guardians who had never relinquished a companion animal. The only significant factors for the REL group were the presence of children and the type of dwelling (apartment). Additionally, the duration of guardianship of the companion animal before relinquishment (REL group) was significantly shorter if there were children in the household than if there were no children.

Impacts of Puppy Early Life Experiences, Puppy-Purchasing Practices, and Owner Characteristics on Owner-Reported Problem Behaviours in a UK Pandemic Puppies Cohort at 21 Months of Age

Problem behaviours are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia of young dogs. Previous research has identified associations between owner-reported problem behaviours and risk factors, including how dogs were acquired as puppies, early socialisation experiences, and owners' experience levels. Puppies acquired during the 2020 phase of the UK COVID-19 pandemic ("Pandemic Puppies") were more likely to be exposed to many of these risk factors compared to puppies acquired in 2019; however, consequences for their adult behaviour are, as yet, unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these early-life and provenance-based risk factors, in addition to owner management strategies (including training methods) into early adulthood, upon adult dog behaviour aged 21 months. An online longitudinal cohort study of n = 985 Pandemic Puppies was conducted, recruited from a cohort of n = 4369 puppies originally surveyed in November-December 2020, which included data on how and why they were acquired and their socialisation/habituation experiences <16 weeks of age. Nearly all owners (96.7%) reported that their dog had exhibited at least one problem behaviour up to 21 months of age (median: 5; IQR: 3-7). Almost one third of dogs (30.9%) were reported to have displayed separation-related behaviours. Multivariable linear regression modelling revealed that owners reporting more problem behaviours were more likely to use multiple aversive training techniques (e.g., physical punishment), the use of which was notably high in this population (82.3%) compared to previous studies. Attendance at online puppy classes was the sole protective factor against owner use of aversive training methods. Almost one third of owners had underestimated how hard training their dog would be; this view was more likely among first-time owners. Urgent efforts are required to support this vulnerable population of dogs, including providing owner education regarding humane training techniques, to improve canine emotional health and avoid future relinquishment and/or behavioural euthanasia.

An Assessment of Scientific Evidence Relating to the Effect of Early Experience on the Risk of Human-Directed Aggression by Adult Dogs

Human-directed aggression by domestic dogs is a major worldwide public health problem. The causes of aggression are complex, and research in this area often has to balance ecological validity with pragmatic controls; accordingly, it often does not meet the thresholds for quality typically used in reviews applying a classical "evidence-based" approach. Here, we propose a method of literature assessment that makes the "best use" of available evidence to identify and synthesise evidence relating to the most likely risk factors reported in the scientific literature. We used a systematic review process to initially identify relevant literature relating to potential early life experience (i.e., in the first six months of life) risk factors in the dog for human-directed aggression in the adult animal. Fourteen papers met our initial screening process and were subsequently analysed in detail, with data extracted and effect sizes calculated where possible. This highlighted the potential importance of the source of the animal, the age at which it was rehomed, the reason for the acquisition, the experience level of the owner, the animal's socialisation experiences, the consistent husbandry and management practices, the training, the sex ratio of the litter and the history of dogs that display aggression in the pedigree as risk factors. Taken together, it seems that early experiences which limit the ability to develop effective coping strategies and routines may be particularly important. We provide guidance for the future standardised reporting of risk related to human-directed aggression by dogs to allow greater synthesis of the literature in the future.

Early life adversity in dogs produces altered physiological and behavioral responses during a social stress-buffering paradigm

Although owners can act as stress buffers for their dogs, whether dogs with poor early life histories with humans will respond similarly is unknown. We tested 45 dogs, 23 of which were rescued from adverse conditions, in a social paradigm in which a threatening stranger confronted them with either their owner or an unfamiliar human present. Salivary cortisol levels were assessed at three points, and the dogs' behavior and owners' responses to questionnaires were evaluated. Dogs from adverse backgrounds engaged in greater contact and exhibited more relaxed behaviors and social referencing when their owners were present. Dogs from the comparison group explored more when accompanied by their owners. Dogs from adverse backgrounds experienced greater decreases in cortisol levels from the first to third samples relative to dogs in the comparison group. Dogs from adverse backgrounds were also more likely to respond fearfully to a threatening stranger. Their owners rated them as having higher levels of stranger-directed fear, nonsocial fear, separation-related problems, attention seeking, and lower levels of chasing and trainability. These findings from this study suggest that early adverse environments may have lasting effects on dogs' social behavior.

Canine Socialisation: A Narrative Systematic Review

There are over 10 million pet dogs in the UK alone, and they have become a member of modern human families. If not properly socialised as puppies, dogs have a higher risk of problematic behaviours during adulthood, yet socialisation studies are lacking. Much of the experimental research was carried out at least 50 years ago, and the importance of socialisation was demonstrated so clearly that further studies with unsocialised controls would be deemed unethical. In this review, the aim was to evaluate all literature relevant to canine socialisation. This review used PRISMA-P guidelines to identify 29 studies: 14 were questionnaire-based studies (two of which also had a testing element), 15 included some form of experimental manipulation relating to socialisation, and one was a purely observational study. Based on this literature review, we recommend future research into minimum necessary socialisation levels, as well as breed differences in the timing of effective socialisation. Such studies will help owners and breeders produce well-adjusted adult dogs.

Development and Training for Working Dogs

Individual differences in behavior lead to wide variability in working dog suitability, and are the primary reason for rejection or early release. Behavioral suitability of a working dog is shaped by interactions with its environment during early development and specialized training. Understanding how aspects of development and training affect a working dog's performance is critical for practitioners to effectively evaluate and treat behavioral concerns in working dogs. This article provides an overview of critical aspects of puppy development that influence future behavior, and reviews important features of training that influence a dog's ability to learn and perform its designated task.

Use of the Milan Pet Quality of Life Instrument (MPQL) to Measure Pets' Quality of Life during COVID-19

Simple Summary

COVID-19 caused unprecedented lifestyle changes, with unknown effects on pets’ quality of life. We studied the role of personality, the human–animal relationship, COVID-19-related factors, and demographics on feline and canine quality of life (QoL). We used the novel Milan Pet Quality of Life instrument (MPQL), derived from previous scales, which summarises four QoL domains: physical, psychological, social, and environmental. Our findings indicate that pets’ demographics, life experience, and personality could explain a large part of the physical QoL. Conversely, the owners’ demographics, COVID-19-related changes, and the owners’ personality mostly explained the pets’ psychological QoL. Predictably, outdoor access in the home environment and the country of residence mostly explained the pets’ environmental QoL. Finally, the pets’ social QoL was explained by all previous aspects: pets’ characteristics and personality, environment and COVID-19-related changes, and the pet–human relationship. We suggest that these results may be explained by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the owners’ psychological state and lifestyle, which in turn alter the way the owners interact with their pets and look after them. However, the owners’ personality and mood may also influence the way they interpret and report their pets’ behavior and emotional state. These findings highlight the importance of the One Health–One Welfare perspective.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused lifestyle changes, with unknown effect on pets’ quality of life (QoL). Between May and July 2020, we distributed an online survey to investigate the role of several factors on feline and canine QoL, including lockdown-related factors. We used existing scales to measure human and pets’ personalities (Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Personality Questionnaire, RST-PQ; RST-Dog; RST-Cat) and the human–animal relationship (Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale, LAPS) and the Milan Pet Quality of Life instrument (MPQL). Overall, 235 participants reported about 242 adult pets (N_cats = 78, N_dogs = 164). Factor analysis confirmed the structure and internal reliability of the existing scales (RST-PQ, RST-Dog, RST-Cat, LAPS) and suggested a four-factor structure for the MPQL (physical, psychological, social, environmental). The results indicate that the pets’ psysical QoL was largely explained by pet-related elements (pets’ demographics and life experience, and pets’ personality). Conversely, the pets’ psychological QoL was explained mostly by owner-related elements, such as the owners’ demographics, COVID-19-related changes, and the owners’ personality. Predictably, the pets’ environmental QoL is mostly explained by environmental factors, such as the outdoor access in the home environment and the country. Finally, the pets’ social QoL was explained by the larger combination of models: pets’ characteristics and personality, environment and COVID-19-related changes, and the pet–human relationship. These findings can be explained by two non-mutually exclusive mechanisms. The reported changes may be a by-product of the COVID-19 pandemic’s psychological and lifestyle effects on the owners, which in turn alter the way the owners interact with their pets and look after them. However, the owners’ characteristics and mood may bias their answers regarding their pets.

Environmental influences on development of executive functions in dogs

Executive functions (EFs) are a set of cognitive processes used for effortful self-regulation of behaviour. They include inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility and, in some models, attention. In humans, socioeconomic factors and life experiences shape development of EFs. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) must often regulate their behaviour in the human environment (e.g. no jumping up on humans or chasing cats), and life experiences also probably influence the development of EFs in dogs. Research into dog cognition and behaviour has been thriving, and some methods used to explore these concepts (e.g. object-choice task, questionnaires measuring traits like distraction and aggression) are likely to be sensitive to differences in EFs, even if that is not their stated aim. Here we examine relevant studies to identify experiential factors which may influence the development of EFs in dogs living in human care. These are early experience, training, housing and stress. We conclude that the development of dogs' EFs may be negatively affected by hardships, and positively by surmountable challenges, early in life. Training methods appear important, with punishment-based methods leading to poorer dog EFs. Kennel environments seem to affect dog EFs negatively. While mild stressors might enhance the development of EFs, too much stress seems to have negative effects. Regulation of behaviour, a key outcome of EFs, is crucial for dogs' integration into human society. We should, therefore, strive to better understand how the environment shapes dogs' EFs.

Moving from information and collaboration to action: report from the 4th international dog health workshop, Windsor in May 2019

Background

Dogs are the most popular mammal kept as a companion animal globally. Positive human-dog relationships can benefit both the human owners as well as the dogs. However, popularity as a companion animal species does not universally benefit dogs in reverse. Breed-related health problems in dogs have received increasing attention over the last decade, sparking increased concerns for dog welfare across many stakeholders. Progress towards improved welfare requires meaningful collaboration between all those working in dog health, science and welfare. The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD), together with an alternating host organisation, holds biennial meetings called the International Dog Health Workshops (IDHW). The IPFD 4th IDHW was hosted by the UK Kennel Club in Windsor, UK in May 2019. With the aim of encouraging international and multi-stakeholder collaborations that are effective and ongoing, the 4th IDHW 2019 provided a forum to identify specific needs and actions that could improve health, well-being and welfare in dogs, building on outcomes and evaluating actions of previous IDHWs.

Results

The workshop included 126 decision-leaders from 16 countries and was structured around five key themes identified as needing international, multi-stakeholder attention. These included the concept of “breed”, supply and demand, breed-specific strategies for health and breeding, genetic testing and extreme conformations. The review of progress made since the 3rd IDHW 2017 and the comprehensive lists of actions agreed upon during the current meeting suggest that movement from information and collaboration to action has been achieved. Working groups with specific tasks were identified and many plan to continue to communicate through forum communities on DogWellNet.com.

Conclusions

The IDHW provides a forum for formal and informal discussion between relevant groups so that key dog health and welfare issues can be identified and defined, and plans can be agreed for effective actions to address them. The 3rd IDHW 2017 resulted in a number of significant outcomes. New and continuing actions were laid down at the 4th IDHW 2019, which will be re-evaluated at the 5th IDHW facilitating continual progress.

On the origin of puppies: breeding and selling procedures relevant for canine behavioural development

The success of the dog as a companion animal has undeniably led to a shift in dog breeding practices. While effects of inbreeding or large-scale breeding have given rise to numerous studies about potentially related health issues, it remains unclear to what extent behavioural development of dogs is influenced. By investigating the environment of puppies while at the breeder, the authors aimed to make an inventory of current practices regarding management, socialisation and environmental learning and subsequently to identify potential differences between breeder types. The cross-sectional study, conducted during 2016, revealed considerable variability in environment among dog breeders. Small-scale breeders, and especially occasional breeders (less than 10 adult dogs on-site) provided most enrichment, both social and non-social, by, for instance, providing more outdoor access for pregnant dams and puppies or by providing access to visitors more freely. Environmental stimuli were less controlled in occasional breeders, raising the debate about quantity versus quality of stimuli at a young age. Large-scale breeders declared to screen potential owners less intensely and time to advise them was limited. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that compares a large number of environmental factors between the different dog breeding categories.

A cross-sectional survey to evaluate the pet squirrel population and ownership profiles

While the presence of squirrels in households is growing, little data is published on their status in captivity. A web-based questionnaire for owners was devised eliciting information about them, their squirrels and their squirrels' husbandry and health. One hundred owners answered the survey, with most respondents being located in Europe (n = 81). Only data from these respondents were analysed. Twenty-five percents of the owners housed an invasive non-native species of European Union concern (S. carolinensis and T. sibiricus), some of which were younger than three years of age and all but one were sexually intact. This is of particular concern, as the acquisition of these invasive species is illegal since 2015 (European Union Regulation 1143/2014), due to the severe threats they pose to biodiversity. Moreover, escapes derived from improper keeping of intact specimens may augment feral populations or establish new colonies. Among 81 cases, only 5% were neutered, mostly for health reasons. Sixty-three percents of the squirrels had health problems, particularly dermatologic (52%) and intestinal disorders (34%). Most owners reported to visit the veterinarian only if their pet was ill rather than for preventive care. This is the first survey on pet squirrel ownership reported to date. Information that emerges from this study will be useful in implementing rational veterinary strategies for managing pet squirrels properly and, in parallel, meeting the challenges arising from private keeping of alien species.

Assessment of owner-directed aggressive behavioural tendencies of dogs in situations of possession and manipulation

Excessive aggression is a common behaviour problem in dogs that can have various destructive effects on the affected people and the implicated dog. Aggressive behaviour directed towards the owner or other family members is one of the most frequently occurring aggressive phenotypes. Here, we examine the reliability of a short questionnaire assessing aggressive behaviours by two, contextually different behavioural tests: 'take away bone' and 'roll over'. Based on dogs' behaviour in the tests, we sorted dogs (N = 93) in two groups for each test, namely a less and a more disobedient/resistant group. The two principal components obtained in our questionnaire-'obedient' and 'aggressive towards owner'-showed significant differences between the behaviour groups. While dogs in the less disobedient/resistant groups had significantly higher 'obedient' and significantly lower 'aggressive towards owner' scores, dogs in the more disobedient/resistant groups had significantly higher 'aggressive towards owner' and significantly lower 'obedient' scores. Dogs' age, sex and neuter/spay status expressed their effect through interactions. Males, young dogs and intact dogs were less 'obedient' than older ones, while resistant spayed/neutered dogs were more aggressive towards the owner. The questionnaire used is a safe, easy to deploy and time-efficient tool to reliably assess certain owner-directed aggressive tendencies of family dogs.