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Heritier C, Riemer S, Gaschler R. The Power Is in the Word-Do Laypeople Interpret Descriptors of Dog Emotional States Correctly? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3009. [PMID: 37835615 PMCID: PMC10571880 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A basic understanding of dog behaviour and emotion is relevant not only for professionals, such as veterinary personnel or dog trainers, but also for dog owners and for people with little contact with dogs. Information about dog behaviour and emotions is mostly conveyed verbally. This study explores whether definitions of dog behaviour and emotion are understood in such a way that they can be allocated to a descriptor (i.e., a label such as "fearful"), even by people with low background knowledge. If people can match descriptors to definitions, this suggests that the definitions are distinct enough and elicit mental representations of behaviour that can fit the label. Good agreement on the definitions is a prerequisite for the validity of the descriptors used; however, no study to date has tested this. A sample of 236 adults was asked to match descriptors of Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) for veterinary and shelter situations to their correct definitions, e.g., the descriptor "fearful" to its definition "dog may try to flee, hide or freeze; ears back". Matching was substantially above chance; nonetheless, the mean proportion of correct responses was only 50% (SD ± 16.6%) for the veterinary QBA set and 33% (SD ± 14.3%) for the shelter QBA set. Performance in the matching task was positively correlated with measures of experience with dogs. Taken together, the results suggest that descriptor-definition pairs used to describe dog behaviour need to be clearly defined to avoid misinterpretations when teaching laypeople how to interpret canine behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Heritier
- Department of Psychology, FernUniversität Hagen, Universitätsstraße 47, 58097 Hagen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Riemer
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Robert Gaschler
- Department of Psychology, FernUniversität Hagen, Universitätsstraße 47, 58097 Hagen, Germany
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Kölzsch A, Lameris TK, Müskens GJDM, Schreven KHT, Buitendijk NH, Kruckenberg H, Moonen S, Heinicke T, Cao L, Madsen J, Wikelski M, Nolet BA. Wild goose chase: Geese flee high and far, and with aftereffects from New Year's fireworks. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kölzsch
- Department of Migration Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Radolfzell Germany
- Department of Biology University of Konstanz Konstanz Germany
- Institute for Wetlands and Waterfowl Research (IWWR) e.V. Verden Germany
| | - Thomas K. Lameris
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University Den Burg The Netherlands
| | | | - Kees H. T. Schreven
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Nelleke H. Buitendijk
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Helmut Kruckenberg
- Institute for Wetlands and Waterfowl Research (IWWR) e.V. Verden Germany
| | - Sander Moonen
- Team Animal Ecology Wageningen Environmental Research Wageningen The Netherlands
- Institute of Avian Research Wilhelmshaven Germany
| | | | - Lei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology Research Center for Eco‐Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jesper Madsen
- Department of Ecoscience Aarhus University Rønde Denmark
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of Migration Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Radolfzell Germany
- Department of Biology University of Konstanz Konstanz Germany
| | - Bart A. Nolet
- Department of Animal Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
- Department of Theoretical and Computational Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
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Wascher CAF, Arnold W, Kotrschal K. Effects of severe anthropogenic disturbance on the heart rate and body temperature in free-living greylag geese ( Anser anser). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac050. [PMID: 36033970 PMCID: PMC9406602 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbances are a major concern for the welfare and conservation of wildlife. We recorded heart rate and body temperature of 20 free-living greylag geese in response to a major regularly re-occurring anthropogenic disturbance-New Year's Eve fireworks. Heart rate and body temperature were significantly higher in the first and second hour of the new year, compared with the same hour on the 31st of December, the average during December and the average during January. Heart rate and body temperature was not significantly affected by sex or age. From 0200 to 0300 onwards, 1st of January heart rates did not significantly differ from the other periods; however, body temperatures were significantly increased until 0300-0400. From 0400 to 0500, heart rate was not affected by any of the investigated factors, whereas body temperature was significantly increased on the 1st of January compared with the 31st of December and the December average but not compared with the January average. To conclude, our results show that New Year's Eve fireworks cause a substantial physiological response, indicative of a stress response in greylag geese, which is costly in terms of energy expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia A F Wascher
- Corresponding author: School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK. Tel: +4369912381419.
| | - Walter Arnold
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kurt Kotrschal
- Core Facility Konrad Lorenz Forschungsstelle for Behaviour and Cognition, University of Vienna, 4645 Grünau im Almtal, Austria
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Audience effect on domestic dogs' behavioural displays and facial expressions. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9747. [PMID: 35697913 PMCID: PMC9192729 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study we investigated the influence of positive and negative arousal situations and the presence of an audience on dogs’ behavioural displays and facial expressions. We exposed dogs to positive anticipation, non-social frustration and social frustration evoking test sessions and measured pre and post-test salivary cortisol concentrations. Cortisol concentration did not increase during the tests and there was no difference in pre or post-test concentrations in the different test conditions, excluding a different level of arousal. Displacement behaviours of “looking away” and “sniffing the environment” occurred more in the frustration-evoking situations compared to the positive anticipation and were correlated with cortisol concentrations. “Ears forward” occurred more in the positive anticipation condition compared to the frustration-evoking conditions, was positively influenced by the presence of an audience, and negatively correlated to the pre-test cortisol concentrations, suggesting it may be a good indicator of dogs’ level of attention. “Ears flattener”, “blink”, “nose lick”, “tail wagging” and “whining” were associated with the presence of an audience but were not correlated to cortisol concentrations, suggesting a communicative component of these visual displays. These findings are a first step to systematically test which subtle cues could be considered communicative signals in domestic dogs.
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Investigating the effect of sound in horror clip on the cardiac electrophysiology of young adults using wavelet packet decomposition and machine learning classifiers. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING ADVANCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bea.2022.100037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Gobbo E, Zupan Šemrov M. Neuroendocrine and Cardiovascular Activation During Aggressive Reactivity in Dogs. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:683858. [PMID: 34434983 PMCID: PMC8381274 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.683858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to investigate cardiovascular activation by measuring changes in facial and body surface temperature using infrared thermography, and neuroendocrine activation using salivary cortisol (CORT) and serotonin concentration (SER) in dogs exhibiting aggressive reactivity in real time. Based on two factors, owner-reported past aggressive behaviors, and detailed behavioral observations collected during a Socially Acceptable Behavior test consisting of 16 subtests and, each individual was categorized as aggressive or non-aggressive. CORT and SER showed no difference in neuroendocrine activity between dogs, but aggressive dogs with higher levels of aggression were found to have lower SER. Aggressive dogs also had an increase in facial temperature from pre-test values. The discovery of a correlation between tail wagging and left tail wagging with aggression level and aggression-related behaviors in aggressive dogs is further evidence of the right hemisphere specialization for aggression previously reported in the literature. This study provides the first evidence that both cardiovascular and neuroendocrine systems are activated during an active act of aggression in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gobbo
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Manja Zupan Šemrov
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domžale, Slovenia
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Bremhorst A, Mills DS, Würbel H, Riemer S. Evaluating the accuracy of facial expressions as emotion indicators across contexts in dogs. Anim Cogn 2021; 25:121-136. [PMID: 34338869 PMCID: PMC8904359 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-021-01532-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Facial expressions potentially serve as indicators of animal emotions if they are consistently present across situations that (likely) elicit the same emotional state. In a previous study, we used the Dog Facial Action Coding System (DogFACS) to identify facial expressions in dogs associated with conditions presumably eliciting positive anticipation (expectation of a food reward) and frustration (prevention of access to the food). Our first aim here was to identify facial expressions of positive anticipation and frustration in dogs that are context-independent (and thus have potential as emotion indicators) and to distinguish them from expressions that are reward-specific (and thus might relate to a motivational state associated with the expected reward). Therefore, we tested a new sample of 28 dogs with a similar set-up designed to induce positive anticipation (positive condition) and frustration (negative condition) in two reward contexts: food and toys. The previous results were replicated: Ears adductor was associated with the positive condition and Ears flattener, Blink, Lips part, Jaw drop, and Nose lick with the negative condition. Four additional facial actions were also more common in the negative condition. All actions except the Upper lip raiser were independent of reward type. Our second aim was to assess basic measures of diagnostic accuracy for the potential emotion indicators. Ears flattener and Ears downward had relatively high sensitivity but low specificity, whereas the opposite was the case for the other negative correlates. Ears adductor had excellent specificity but low sensitivity. If the identified facial expressions were to be used individually as diagnostic indicators, none would allow consistent correct classifications of the associated emotion. Diagnostic accuracy measures are an essential feature for validity assessments of potential indicators of animal emotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bremhorst
- Division of Animal Welfare, DCR-VPHI, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK.
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB), University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - D S Mills
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
| | - H Würbel
- Division of Animal Welfare, DCR-VPHI, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - S Riemer
- Division of Animal Welfare, DCR-VPHI, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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Riemer S, Heritier C, Windschnurer I, Pratsch L, Arhant C, Affenzeller N. A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010158. [PMID: 33445559 PMCID: PMC7826566 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The majority of dogs and cats are fearful during veterinary visits, and some individuals may show aggression as a result. We review ways to avoid negative experiences and promote positive emotions in animals visiting the veterinarian. Whenever an animal is in the practice, the veterinary team should endeavour to make the visit as pleasant as possible, by using non-threatening body language and by creating positive associations. High-value food (unless an animal needs to be fasted) or toys should be used generously throughout the visit. In the interaction with the animals, low-stress handling methods, brief pauses and adjusting the procedure based on the animal’s body language help them to feel secure. Distractions can be used to minimise perceived pain such as from injections. If a known painful area needs to be treated, pain killers are advised. For animals that are very fearful, several medication options are available that can be given prior to the veterinary visit to help them with their fears. With reward-based training, animals can learn to accept veterinary procedures. A stress-free veterinary visit benefits all involved parties—the animals, their owners, as well as the veterinary team. Abstract A high proportion of dogs and cats are fearful during veterinary visits, which in some cases may escalate into aggression. Here, we discuss factors that contribute to negative emotions in a veterinary setting and how these can be addressed. We briefly summarise the available evidence for the interventions discussed. The set-up of the waiting area (e.g., spatial dividers; elevated places for cat carriers), tailoring the examination and the treatment to the individual, considerate handling (minimal restraint when possible, avoiding leaning over or cornering animals) and offering high-value food or toys throughout the visit can promote security and, ideally, positive associations. Desensitisation and counterconditioning are highly recommended, both to prevent and address existing negative emotions. Short-term pain from injections can be minimised by using tactile and cognitive distractions and topical analgesics, which are also indicated for painful procedures such as ear cleanings. Recommendations for handling fearful animals to minimise aggressive responses are discussed. However, anxiolytics or sedation should be used whenever there is a risk of traumatising an animal or for safety reasons. Stress-reducing measures can decrease fear and stress in patients and consequently their owners, thus strengthening the relationship with the clients as well as increasing the professional satisfaction of veterinary staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Riemer
- Companion Animal Behaviour Group, Division of Animal Welfare, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Ines Windschnurer
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria; (I.W.); (C.A.)
| | - Lydia Pratsch
- Veterinary Behaviour Consultant, 1200 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Christine Arhant
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria; (I.W.); (C.A.)
| | - Nadja Affenzeller
- Department of Companion Animals, Clinical Unit of Internal Medicine Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna), 1210 Vienna, Austria;
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