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McGuire B, Song A. Influence of Sex of Stranger on Responses of Shelter Dogs during Canine Behavioral Evaluations. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2461. [PMID: 37570270 PMCID: PMC10416897 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In many situations, domestic dogs display greater uneasiness with unfamiliar men than unfamiliar women. However, little is known about whether the sex of an unfamiliar person is a risk factor for stranger-directed aggression, especially with respect to behaviors less intense than biting. We analyzed data collected by behavioral staff over a 27-month period (n = 283 dogs) at a New York shelter to determine whether the sex of an unfamiliar person influenced behaviors assessed during the Stranger test of the canine behavioral evaluation. Scores ranged from 1 (calm and friendly) to 5 (will not approach stranger or unsafe to allow an approach). No concerning behaviors (scores 1-3) were assessed for 19.2% of 26 undersocialized dogs from one home and 89.9% of the remaining 257 dogs. Within the group of 257, those tested with a male stranger had significantly higher scores than those tested with a female stranger; the effect size was small to moderate. Thus, we found that dogs responded differently to male and female strangers during this testing situation, but from a practical standpoint, our findings do not warrant adjustments in how shelters conduct or interpret tests for stranger-directed aggression. Our findings also highlight the importance of early exposure to different people and situations for dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty McGuire
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Andrew Song
- Department of Information Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA;
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Horses cross-modally recognize women and men. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3864. [PMID: 36890162 PMCID: PMC9995451 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30830-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown that horses have the ability to cross-modally recognize humans by associating their voice with their physical appearance. However, it remains unclear whether horses are able to differentiate humans according to different criteria, such as the fact that they are women or men. Horses might recognize some human characteristics, such as sex, and use these characteristics to classify them into different categories. The aim of this study was to explore whether domesticated horses are able to cross-modally recognize women and men according to visual and auditory cues, using a preferential looking paradigm. We simultaneously presented two videos of women and men's faces, while playing a recording of a human voice belonging to one of these two categories through a loudspeaker. The results showed that the horses looked significantly more towards the congruent video than towards the incongruent video, suggesting that they are able to associate women's voices with women's faces and men's voices with men's faces. Further investigation is necessary to determine the mechanism underlying this recognition, as it might be interesting to determine which characteristics horses use to categorize humans. These results suggest a novel perspective that could allow us to better understand how horses perceive humans.
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Piotti P, Piseddu A, Aguzzoli E, Sommese A, Kubinyi E. Two valid and reliable tests for monitoring age-related memory performance and neophobia differences in dogs. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16175. [PMID: 36171232 PMCID: PMC9519567 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19918-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The prolonged lifespan of companion dogs has resulted in increased behavioural and physical challenges linked to old age. The development of behavioural tests to identify and monitor age-related differences has begun. However, standardised testing requires validation. The present study aimed to assess external validity, interobserver reliability, and test-retest reliability of an indoor test battery for the rapid assessment of age-related behavioural differences in dogs. Two experimenters tested young dogs (N = 20, mean age ± SD = 2.7 ± 0.4 years) and old dogs (N = 18, mean age ± SD = 11.8 ± 1.3 years) in the test battery once and then again after two weeks. Our results found external validity for two subtests out of six. On both test occasions, old dogs committed more errors than young dogs in a memory subtest and showed more object avoidance when encountering a novel object. Interobserver reliability and test-retest reliability was high. We conclude that the Memory and Novel object subtests are valid and reliable for monitoring age-related memory performance and object neophobic differences in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Piotti
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan (UNIMI), 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Andrea Piseddu
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.,Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Enrica Aguzzoli
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Sommese
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eniko Kubinyi
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, 1117, Budapest, Hungary. .,MTA-ELTE Lendület "Momentum" Companion Animal Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
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Shih HY, Paterson MBA, Pachana NA, Phillips CJC. Volunteers' Demographics That Affect the Human-Dog Interaction During Walks in a Shelter. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:699332. [PMID: 34557538 PMCID: PMC8452965 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.699332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Different people relate to dogs in different ways. We investigated differences between volunteers in their behavioural interactions with shelter dogs when they were walked on a leash. Cameras were used to record and quantify the behaviour of volunteers and a leash tension metre was used to measure pulling by both volunteers and shelter dogs. Effects of volunteers' age, body height, educational level, marital status, and experiences of living and working with dogs, and living with children, were examined. Older volunteers talked to the dogs more often during the walk than younger ones. Taller volunteers had reduced physical contact with dogs, and dogs pulled more frequently on the leash while walking with them. Volunteers with a postgraduate degree more frequently praised dogs and rewarded dogs with food and used more body language in the form of hand gestures and physical contact. Married and partnered volunteers more often praised dogs, while separated/divorced or widowed volunteers initiated more frequent physical contacts. Dogs pulled less when walking with volunteers who had experience of living with dogs, and these volunteers interacted with dogs using fewer verbal and body languages. Finally, those living with children more frequently communicated with dogs using body language (e.g., hand gestures and physical contact). We conclude that shelters should carefully consider volunteers' demographics when selecting them to walk dogs with various behavioural characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yu Shih
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Mandy B A Paterson
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia.,Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nancy A Pachana
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Clive J C Phillips
- Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Bentley, WA, Australia
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Shih HY, Phillips CJC, Mills DS, Yang Y, Georgiou F, Paterson MBA. Dog Pulling on the Leash: Effects of Restraint by a Neck Collar vs. a Chest Harness. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:735680. [PMID: 34552977 PMCID: PMC8450523 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.735680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leash pulling is a concern for dog owners and can be detrimental to the health and welfare of dogs. Neck-collars and back-connection harnesses are popular restraint types. Harnesses have been proposed as a better and more considerate option for canine health and welfare. Anecdotally, dogs pull more when wearing a back-connection harness; however, there is no scientific evidence for this perception. This study aimed to investigate how strongly dogs pull on the lead to achieve a food treat or toy under restraint by a neck-collar versus a back-connection harness. A within-subject counterbalanced design was used for the study, involving 52 shelter dogs. A customised canine leash tension metre was connected to the collar or harness to record the pulling of the dogs, including measuring the maximal and mean leash tension, and the time spent pulling. In addition, dog behaviours were recorded using two cameras from two separate directions. The maximal and mean leash tension and the pulling time were greater under restraint by harness when attracting dogs with food treats. No significant difference between harness and collar was found in potential stress-related behaviours (e.g. tail and ear positions, lip-licking, and panting). However, dogs looked at the experimenter more often when restrained by harness than collar in the food treat attraction test. No significant difference was detected between harness and collar with respect to leash tension and stress-related behaviours in the toy attraction test. These findings suggest that dogs tend to pull stronger and more steadily when wearing a back-connection harness compared to a neck collar to reach the food treat but not the toy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yu Shih
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Clive J C Phillips
- Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Daniel S Mills
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Yifei Yang
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Fillipe Georgiou
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Mandy B A Paterson
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia.,Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Shih HY, Paterson MBA, Georgiou F, Mitchell L, Pachana NA, Phillips CJC. Two Ends of the Leash: Relations Between Personality of Shelter Volunteers and On-leash Walking Behavior With Shelter Dogs. Front Psychol 2021; 12:619715. [PMID: 33935871 PMCID: PMC8079626 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.619715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Human personality influences the way people interact with dogs. This study investigated the associations between the personality of animal shelter volunteers and behavior during on-leash walks with shelter dogs. Video recording and a canine leash tension meter were used to monitor the on-leash walking. Personality was measured in five dimensions (neurotic, extroverted, open, agreeable and conscientious) with the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Neurotic volunteers pulled the leash harder and tended to interact with dogs using more body language; dogs being walked by neurotic volunteers in turn displayed more lip-licking and body shaking and were more likely to be rated as well-behaved. Extroverted volunteers were associated with stronger maximal leash tension at both the human and dog ends of the leash, and they praised the dog more, often in a high pitched voice. These volunteers eliciting more tail-wagging and body shaking by the dog. Extroverted volunteers were also more tolerant of different dog behaviors. Volunteers with personalities characterized by “openness to experiences” were less likely to verbally attract the attention of dogs, praise dogs and talk to them in a high-pitched voice; however, dogs walked by these volunteers were more likely to pull on the leash, and engaged in more lip-licking but less sniffing. “Agreeable” volunteers liked to verbally attract the attention of the dogs and more commonly initiated hand gestures and physical contact, causing the dogs to pull less frequently; dogs in these dyads displayed more gazing and lip-licking behaviors. Conscientious volunteers were less likely to pull the leash and tended to have more physical contact with the dogs but did not favor verbal communication and did not use a high pitched voice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yu Shih
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Mandy B A Paterson
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia.,Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Fillipe Georgiou
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Leander Mitchell
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Nancy A Pachana
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Clive J C Phillips
- Curtin University Sustainable Policy (CUSP) Institute, Bentley, WA, Australia
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Anzulewicz A, Fenner K, Hyde M, Heald S, Burattini B, Romness N, McKenzie J, Wilson B, McGreevy P. The Impact of the Sex of Handlers and Riders on the Reported Social Confidence, Compliance and Touch Sensitivity of Horses in Their Care. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010130. [PMID: 33430130 PMCID: PMC7827593 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Any influence of the sex of the human partner in human–horse interactions on the behaviour of horses is currently largely anecdotal. Associations between the sex of humans and equine behaviour may have welfare implications. Our study investigates observations of ridden and non-ridden horse behaviour, as reported by respondents (n = 1420) to the Equine Behaviour and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ). Results reveal some human sex-related differences between horses handled and ridden by male and female humans. Horses ridden or handled by male humans were more likely to be difficult to catch and defensive when approached, but less likely to pull on the reins/brace the neck or toss their head. The study revealed the importance of considering the sex of the rider or handler when investigating equine behaviour. Abstract Current evidence of how human sex-related differences in riders and handlers may influence horse behaviour is limited. The Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) was used to collect demographic data on riders and handlers (n = 1420) and behavioural data on their horses. It includes demographic items about the sex of the respondent and how frequently the horse has been ridden or handled by male and female humans. The questionnaire then gathers observations on the horse’s behaviour on the ground and under saddle or when driven. Using E-BARQ’s battery of 97 questions, the current study showed differences in ridden and non-ridden horse behaviour that were related to the sex of the rider or handler. Data were evaluated using multivariate analysis and revealed that horses handled by male humans were significantly more difficult to catch (t-value = −3.11; p = 0.002) and significantly more defensive when approached (t-value = −2.104; p = 0.035), but significantly less likely to pull on the reins/brace the neck or toss their head (t-value 1.980; p = 0.048) than horses handled more frequently by female humans. The differences found between male and female horse handlers suggest that sex is an important factor to consider when understanding equine behaviour. Our study explored reported differences in confidence, handling and working compliance and touch sensitivity among horses ridden and handled by male and female humans and suggested further research into how these differences are gendered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Anzulewicz
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (K.F.); (M.H.); (B.B.); (N.R.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (P.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Kate Fenner
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (K.F.); (M.H.); (B.B.); (N.R.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (P.M.)
| | - Michelle Hyde
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (K.F.); (M.H.); (B.B.); (N.R.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (P.M.)
| | - Susan Heald
- Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada;
| | - Bibiana Burattini
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (K.F.); (M.H.); (B.B.); (N.R.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (P.M.)
| | - Nicole Romness
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (K.F.); (M.H.); (B.B.); (N.R.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (P.M.)
| | - Jessica McKenzie
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (K.F.); (M.H.); (B.B.); (N.R.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (P.M.)
| | - Bethany Wilson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (K.F.); (M.H.); (B.B.); (N.R.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (P.M.)
| | - Paul McGreevy
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; (K.F.); (M.H.); (B.B.); (N.R.); (J.M.); (B.W.); (P.M.)
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Do Canine Behavioural Assessments and Characteristics Predict the Human-Dog Interaction When Walking on a Leash in a Shelter Setting? Animals (Basel) 2020; 11:ani11010026. [PMID: 33375738 PMCID: PMC7823978 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We explored 370 human-dog interactions in an animal shelter when volunteers walked shelter dogs on a leash, considering the effects of canine demographics and the results of the shelter’s canine behavioural assessments. 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 guidance cues and body language during the walk. In addition to the canine behaviour assessment, there were correlations between canine demographics (i.e., age, skull shape, body size, and previous ownership history) and the behavioural interaction and humans’ 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. 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’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’ 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.
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