Long-Lasting Chews Elicit Positive Emotional States in Dogs during Short Periods of Social Isolation

Abstract

Dogs may experience negative emotional states when isolated from human caregivers and conspecifics. This study aimed to evaluate how dogs interact with different enrichments during a short period of social isolation, as a first step towards identifying methods for improving their emotional wellbeing. Using a cross-over design, dogs (n = 20) at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute were exposed to four different food-based enrichments while left alone in a familiar room for 20 min: long-lasting chew (Chew), kibble in a treat-dispensing toy (Toy), and kibble dispensed through a smart treat-dispensing device with (Device + Voice) and without (Device) a person talking to the dog. Time spent engaging with each enrichment item and emotional valence and arousal (7-point scale collected every 5-min) were scored from videos. The results of linear mixed models indicated Chew was the most successful enrichment, with dogs having lower arousal scores (p < 0.05 vs. Device and Toy) during the first five minutes of isolation, higher positive valence scores (p < 0.05 vs. all) during the second five minutes of isolation, and spending the most total time engaged (p < 0.01 vs. all). Based on these findings, long-lasting chews should be further explored to assess their impact on dog emotional wellbeing.

‘Bowls are boring’: Investigating enrichment feeding for pet dogs and the perceived benefits and challenges

“…53 Future studies could also investigate the types of behaviours and emotions elicited from different types of enrichment, as it appears that dogs experience different emotions while using different toys. 54 This understanding could be used to better inform the CEF types used depending on the emotion and behaviour desired from the dog. Practitioners recommending the use of CEF should advise owners to look out for frustration behaviours and provide instruction on how to adjust CEF to ensure enjoyment.…”

“…This could include looking at more detailed behaviours, including facial expressions, that may indicate affective state 53 . Future studies could also investigate the types of behaviours and emotions elicited from different types of enrichment, as it appears that dogs experience different emotions while using different toys 54 . This understanding could be used to better inform the CEF types used depending on the emotion and behaviour desired from the dog.…”

Evaluation of indicators of acute emotional states in dogs

“…Additionally, three trained dog behaviour coders provided QBA scores on all videos collected during this study, using a list of terms (Table 3 .) modified from previous research assessing dog emotional states in different settings 22 , 49 . New terms (‘agitated’, ‘calm’, ‘confident’ and ‘happy’) were added to ensure inclusion of terms covering a range of emotional states from across the four emotion quadrants.…”

Do you need to chew? A case report on dogs’ behavioural needs

“…The goal was to reduce mounting and promote a positive emotional state, by focusing on teaching potential alternative behaviours like chewing. 10 Training began when the dog was calm and was then extended to more difficult situations. The long-lasting chewing activities involved dried meat, chewable within 15 minutes, 11 and provided daily at the same time.…”

“…Chewing activities were provided to the dog daily, especially before family time and in any circumstances perceived as unfamiliar to him. The goal was to reduce mounting and promote a positive emotional state, by focusing on teaching potential alternative behaviours like chewing 10 . Training began when the dog was calm and was then extended to more difficult situations.…”