1. Do Canine Behavioural Assessments and Characteristics Predict the Human-Dog Interaction When Walking on a Leash in a Shelter Setting?
- Author
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Clive J. C. Phillips, Mandy B. A. Paterson, Hao-Yu Shih, and Fillipe Georgiou
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,leash tension ,Demographics ,shelter ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Article ,human-dog interaction ,0403 veterinary science ,Physical medicine and rehabilitation ,lcsh:Zoology ,medicine ,lcsh:QL1-991 ,verbal cue ,lcsh:Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,body gesture ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,040201 dairy & animal science ,behaviour ,Verbal cues ,on-leash walk ,canine behavioural assessment ,lcsh:SF600-1100 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Psychology - Abstract
Inappropriate leash reactivity is one of the most common problems in shelter dogs, which negatively affects the health of dogs and reduces their adoptability. We explored 370 human-dog interactions, involving 74 volunteers and 111 dogs, in an animal shelter when volunteers walked shelter dogs on a leash, considering the effects of canine demographics and the results of the shelter&rsquo, s canine behavioural assessments. The interaction was video recorded and coded using ethograms, and a leash tension meter was used to measure the pull strength of dogs and handlers. Results showed that dogs that were more relaxed during the shelter assessment (i.e., when socialising with humans or being left alone in a new environment) were less reactive on the leash, with lower tension and pulling frequency. Moreover, socialised and relaxed dogs displayed more positive body language, such as tail in a high position, gazing at the handler, and exploring the environment. When walking with these dogs, volunteers utilised fewer verbal cues and body language during the walk. In addition to the canine behaviour assessment, there were correlations between canine demographics and the behavioural interaction and humans&rsquo, perception. Finally, volunteers perceived the walk as less satisfactory when they needed to pull the leash harder during the walk. This research suggests that the RSPCA behavioural assessment may be useful in predicting the behaviour of shelter dogs when walked by volunteers.
- Published
- 2020
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