Factors associated with aggressive responses in pet dogs

Yuying Hsu, Liching Sun

Factors associated with aggressive responses in pet dogs

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 123, Issues 3–4, March 2010, Pages 108–123

Abstract

This study used The Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) and regression models to explore the relative importance of dog and owner characteristics, living environment and owner–dog interaction to household dogs’ aggressiveness towards strangers, owners and other dogs. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 10 interpretable factors from the Chinese translation of C-BARQ: stranger-directed aggression, owner-directed aggression, dog-directed aggression, social fear, nonsocial fear, separation-related behavior, attachment or attention-seeking behavior, trainability, excitability and pain sensitivity. The factor structure of our study largely resembled that reported in Hsu and Serpell (2003) and van den Berg et al. (2006; Dutch translation of C-BARQ). All factors of the translated C-BARQ have adequate reliability (Cronbach α: 0.74–0.93) and are thus suitable for measuring temperament traits in Taiwan's pet dogs. Intrinsic and environmental variables important to the three aggression subscales were not entirely the same, but breed (P ≤ 0.020) and physical punishment (P ≤ 0.053) had significant relationships with all of them. Golden Retriever scored the lowest while dogs subjected to physical reprimands scored significantly higher on aggression subscales. In addition, higher scores on stranger-directed aggression were associated (P ≤ 0.027) with living in rural areas, in houses with yard space and with more household members and being acquired either as puppies or for guarding purposes. Higher scores on owner-directed aggression were associated (P ≤ 0.040) with male and older dogs, being neutered/spayed, having female owners, fewer other dogs in the household and being kept outside the house. Higher scores on dog-directed aggression, on the other hand, were associated (P ≤ 0.050) with living in houses with either yard space or more household members and with spending less time with owners. Stranger- and dog-directed aggression had more important intrinsic and environmental variables common to them than did owner-directed aggression, which suggests that aggression towards owners may be regulated by different mechanisms from aggression towards strangers and other dogs. Although no causal relationship between dog aggression and environmental variables can be implied from observational studies, the results of this and other studies lend support to the possibility of reducing dogs’ aggressive responses through proper management by owners.

Service dog selection tests: Effectiveness for dogs from animal shelters

Emily Weiss, Gary Greenberg

Service dog selection tests: Effectiveness for dogs from animal shelters

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 53, Issue 4, July 1997, Pages 297–308

Abstract

Assistance dogs are trained to help people with various physical and mental handicaps. These dogs are selected using a test comprising several behavioral components. Anecdotal reports have shown that only about 50% of the dogs so selected successfully complete training and become assistance dogs. Traditionally training centers had used puppies, but recently some trainers have begun to use dogs from animal shelters and pounds. This study randomly chose six males and three female adult dogs of appropriate breed types, from a shelter environment and conducted an 11-item selection test on each. The dogs were then trained in both basic obedience and a retrieval task. We found no correlation between an animals' overall performance on the selection test and its ability to complete the retrieval task. One behavior trait, fear/submission, however, was predictable from the selection phase.

Describing categories of temperament in potential guide dogs for the blind

Julie A Murphy

Describing categories of temperament in potential guide dogs for the blind

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 58, Issues 1–2, June 1998, Pages 163–178

Abstract

Trainers at the Royal Guide Dogs Associations of Australia (RGDAA) assess 12-month-old potential guide dogs for 20 categories of temperament after walking and observing each dog over 5 days in increasingly complex environments. The present study investigated how trainers interpret these temperament categories from the canine behaviour observed. Dogs were videotaped by the author on their final assessment walk. Trainers who had no prior knowledge of the dogs on the videotapes observed the tapes and pointed out segments which, in their opinion, showed dogs expressing particular categories of temperament. One hundred and two segments of tape were isolated and examined in detail. The elements of behaviour observed in each segment were noted. Descriptions or `indicator sets' were determined for nine temperament categories. Each set lists the elements of behaviour shown by dogs in 60%–69%, 70%–79% and ≥80% of cases. Indicator sets were not determined for categories that were rarely identified by trainers, rarely observed in dogs, or which could not be assessed from a single videotaped walk. Although each indicator set was unique, some elements of behaviour were common to more than one set. Therefore, it is best to interpret temperament categories from many elements of behaviour rather than just one or two. If adopted by other guide dog associations, the indicator sets derived from this study may be useful in standardising the identification and assessment of temperament categories of potential guide dogs by avoiding anthropomorphism or misinterpretation of dogs' behaviour.

Development and validation of a novel method for evaluating behavior and temperament in guide dogs

James.A Serpell, Yuying Hsu

Development and validation of a novel method for evaluating behavior and temperament in guide dogs

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 72, Issue 4, 1 June 2001, Pages 347–364

Abstract

Most guide and service dog organizations would benefit from the development of accurate methods for the early evaluation of canine temperament traits. This paper describes the development and validation of a novel questionnaire method for assessing behavior and temperament in 1-year-old guide dogs. Volunteer puppy-raisers scored a total of 1097 prospective guide dogs on a series of 40 semantic differential-type, behavioral rating scales. Principle components factor analysis of these scores extracted eight stable and interpretable common factors: stranger-directed fear/aggression, non-social fear, energy level, owner-directed aggression, chasing, trainability, attachment, and dog-directed fear/aggression. Three of these eight factors exhibited moderate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α≥0.72), while the reliabilities of the remaining factors were relatively low (Cronbach’s α=0.53–0.61). The eight factors were then validated against the guide dog school’s own criteria for rejecting dogs for behavioral reasons. The results of this analysis confirmed the construct validity of the puppy raisers’ questionnaire assessments of their dogs, and suggested that such methods can provide a useful and accurate means of predicting the suitability of dogs for guiding work. Various modifications to the original questionnaire are proposed in order to enhance its overall reliability.

Factors associated with success in guide dog training

Lara S. Batt, Marjolyn S. Batt, John A. Baguley, Paul D. McGreevy

Factors associated with success in guide dog training

Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, Volume 3, Issue 4, July–August 2008, Pages 143–151

Abstract

Tests of motor laterality and behavioral reactivity, as well as salivary cortisol concentrations, were examined in this pilot study to identify dogs best suited to guide dog work. Over a 14-month period, lateralization tests were conducted and cortisol concentrations were determined on 3 separate occasions, and temperament testing was performed on 2. Potential guide dogs (N = 43) involved in this study were 5 golden retrievers (4 males, 1 female) and thirty-eight Labrador retrievers (8 black males, fifteen yellow males, 5 black females, and ten yellow females). Results from these tests were then compared with the ultimate success of the dogs in the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT training program. This comparison produced evidence that motor lateralization (particularly the rate at which both paws were used during the Kong Test and the lateralization index during the Tape Test), reactions to an unfamiliar dog, the latency for dogs to drop and rest during an uninterrupted period, and the dog's color and breed were predictive of ultimate success. This study also identified 14 months of age as a more accurate time to assess dogs for these traits than either 6 months of age or at the age at which they completed their training (ranging from 14 to 20 months of age).

Using genetic technologies for promoting canine health and temperament

P.N Olson, M.F Hall, J.K Peterson, G.S Johnson

Using genetic technologies for promoting canine health and temperament

Animal Reproduction Science, Volumes 82–83, July 2004, Pages 225–230

Abstract

The entire canine genome is scheduled to be sequenced by researchers at the Whitehead Institute/MIH Center for Genome Research by the end of 2004. Thus, new genetic technologies are likely to be developed that can soon predict certain aspects of health and temperament in dogs. The C. familiaris is similar in size to that of humans and other mammals, with an estimated 2.8 billion base pairs. Although, the boxer was chosen as the first breed to sequence, it will have application for all dog breeds. Once the entire genome is sequenced, genetic markers for specific diseases and temperaments may be developed, which can guide breeders to make informed decisions concerning breeding management. Such a technology may be useful for guide and service dog organizations that have breeding colonies. It is important that the human-animal bond be preserved for as long as possible, both for pet owners and also for those disabled individuals who depend upon a dog for independence and mobility. Because genetic diseases may not manifest in carriers, and some genetic diseases do not manifest until after a dog is older and has already produced other animals with the same defect, genetic markers to identify some of the over 400 genetic diseases could be very useful in promoting canine health.