Analysis of correlations between early social exposure and reported aggression in the dog

Wormald, Dennis; Lawrence, Andrew J; Carter, Gabrielle; Fisher, Andrew

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2016.08.071

Cited by 20 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Previous research has shown that suboptimal learning opportunities before eight weeks of age are a risk factor for behavioural issues later in life (Appleby et al 2002). The quality of socialisation is also important, as puppies that are exposed to negative incidents are more likely to show aggression later in life (Wormald et al, 2016). Owners who have received advice regarding their puppy from a veterinary behaviourist report fewer UBs thus illustrating the importance for owners to receive good behavioural advice when their dog is young to prevent UBs from 15 arising or to prevent them from worsening as that is when owners may seek to resolve the problems (Gazzano et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England

et al. 2018

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Undesirable behaviours (UBs) are common in dogs and can jeopardise animal and human health, leading to dog abandonment and euthanasia. Dogs exhibiting UBs may have compromised welfare from underlying emotional motivations for the behaviour (e.g. anxiety) or from how owners might seek resolution (e.g. aversive techniques). The objective of this study was to estimate proportional mortality due to UBs and risk factors for death due to UBs, including death from road traffic accidents, in dogs under three years of age attending primary-care veterinary practices in England from 2009-2014. Cases were identified by searching de-identified electronic patient records from primary-care veterinary practices participating in the VetCompass Programme. The findings highlight that dogs under three years of age are at a proportionately high risk of death due to UBs (33.7%) compared with other specific causes of death (e.g. Gastrointestinal issues:14.5%). Male dogs had 1.40 times the odds of death from UB compared with females. The proportional mortality from UB for male dogs where information on the cause of death was available was 0.41. Neutered dogs had 1.94 times the odds of death due to an UB compared with entire dogs. Aggression was the most prevalent UB overall. Veterinarians had recommended referral in 10.3% of cases where dogs died due to exhibiting an UB and had dispensed nutraceutical, pheromone or pharmacological treatment to 3.0% of the UB cases that died. This study shows that undesirable behaviours require better preventive measures and treatment, 3 through further research and education of veterinarians, other professionals within the dog industry and owners.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England

et al. 2018

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“…Many of these studies focus on specific behaviours, such as aggression or noise-related fear responses. Wormald et al (2016) [ 98 ] assessed whether owners restricted their puppy to the household, if aggression and fear were present at an early age, and whether this affected the dog’s future behaviour. Early exposure to public areas was not correlated with reduced inter-dog aggression as adults [ 98 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canine Socialisation: A Narrative Systematic Review

McEvoy

Espinosa

Crump

et al. 2022

Animals

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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.

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“…It is important to see, however, that the familiarity between the young puppies and the other adult dogs they interact with also can play a crucial role in the behavioral development of the juvenile dogs. Earlier, it was found [52] that the younger the puppy was when its new owners introduced it to other dogs, the higher the chance became that later the dog showed undesired aggression towards conspecifics. Adding these findings to our results, one could conclude that the predominantly amicable interactions (including alloparental care) with familiar dogs at the breeder's home could provide the best experience for young puppies with their conspecifics; meanwhile, owners should be careful with the early exposure of the puppies to possibly negative experiences with unknown dogs at public areas [52].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Earlier, it was found [52] that the younger the puppy was when its new owners introduced it to other dogs, the higher the chance became that later the dog showed undesired aggression towards conspecifics. Adding these findings to our results, one could conclude that the predominantly amicable interactions (including alloparental care) with familiar dogs at the breeder's home could provide the best experience for young puppies with their conspecifics; meanwhile, owners should be careful with the early exposure of the puppies to possibly negative experiences with unknown dogs at public areas [52]. So far, this particular aspect of environmental effects on behavioral ontogeny has only been marginally covered by other studies (e.g., [33,53]), where the focus has mainly been on other behaviors, such as interactions with the physical environment or with humans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forgotten, But Not Lost—Alloparental Behavior and Pup–Adult Interactions in Companion Dogs

Pongrácz

Sztruhala

2019

Animals

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Socialization with humans is known to be a pivotal factor in the development of appropriate adult dog behavior, but the role and extent of dog–dog interactions in the first two months of life is rarely studied. Although various forms of alloparental behaviors are described in the case of wild-living canids, the social network of companion dogs around home-raised puppies is almost unknown. An international online survey of companion dog breeders was conducted, asking about the interactions of other dogs in the household with the puppies and the pups’ mother. Based on the observations of these breeders, our study showed an intricate network of interactions among adult dogs and puppies below the age of weaning. Alloparental behaviors (including suckling and feeding by regurgitation) were reportedly common. Independent of their sex, other household dogs mostly behaved in an amicable way with the puppies, and in the case of unseparated housing, the puppies reacted with lower fear to the barks of the others. Parousness, sexual status, and age of the adult dogs had an association with how interested the dogs were in interacting with the puppies, and also with how the mother reacted to the other dogs. Our study highlights the possible importance of dog–dog interactions during the early life of puppies in forming stable and low-stress interactions with other dogs later in life.

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Analysis of correlations between early social exposure and reported aggression in the dog

Cited by 20 publications

References 21 publications

Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England

Mortality resulting from undesirable behaviours in dogs aged under three years attending primary-care veterinary practices in England

Canine Socialisation: A Narrative Systematic Review

Forgotten, But Not Lost—Alloparental Behavior and Pup–Adult Interactions in Companion Dogs

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