Pilot study evaluating surface temperature in dogs with or without fear-based aggression

Neuroendocrine and Cardiovascular Activation During Aggressive Reactivity in Dogs

“…In addition to neuroendocrine activation, activation of the sympathetic nervous system leading to lower surface temperature has been documented in several animal studies when animals were presented with various aversive situations [monkeys: ( 18 ); dogs: ( 15 , 17 ); rabbits: ( 19 ); pigs: ( 20 )]. To our knowledge, only two studies examined surface temperature in an aggressive context [pigs: ( 20 ); dogs: ( 21 )]. When comparing temperature change relative to baseline, Rigterink et al ( 21 ) found an increase in eye temperature in both aggressive and non-aggressive dogs, whereas we found no such changes in facial or body surface temperature, regardless of aggression group.…”

“…To our knowledge, only two studies examined surface temperature in an aggressive context [pigs: ( 20 ); dogs: ( 21 )]. When comparing temperature change relative to baseline, Rigterink et al ( 21 ) found an increase in eye temperature in both aggressive and non-aggressive dogs, whereas we found no such changes in facial or body surface temperature, regardless of aggression group. However, we believe that the discrepancy between the results is due to the fact that their aggressive group consisted of only 27% of dogs that showed aggressive reactivity during interaction with an unfamiliar person, whereas in our study all such dogs were included and their temperature changes were observed on a smaller area that is assumed to be highly reactive.…”

“…Other animal studies showed a decrease in nasal surface temperature in response to threatening stimuli [monkeys: ( 11 , 18 )] and a decrease in ocular bulb and periocular area temperature exposed to various stressors [rabbits: ( 19 )]. The only two studies that observed cardiovascular activity during an aggressive act in animals were by Boileau et al ( 20 ) and Rigternik et al ( 21 ) and they reported inconsistent results. Boileau et al ( 20 ) reported a decrease in dorsal surface temperature in pigs during a fight, while Rigternik et al ( 21 ) found no differences between the control group and aggressive dogs that showed human-directed aggression.…”

“…The only two studies that observed cardiovascular activity during an aggressive act in animals were by Boileau et al ( 20 ) and Rigternik et al ( 21 ) and they reported inconsistent results. Boileau et al ( 20 ) reported a decrease in dorsal surface temperature in pigs during a fight, while Rigternik et al ( 21 ) found no differences between the control group and aggressive dogs that showed human-directed aggression.…”

Where Do We Stand in the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris) Positive-Emotion Assessment: A State-of-the-Art Review and Future Directions

“…In dogs, there has been a growing interest in utilizing IRT to investigate negative emotion-induced surface heat increase associated mainly with stress, fear-based aggression, and separation anxiety, both in clinical and home settings (Travain et al, 2015;Riemer et al, 2016;Csoltova et al, 2017;Rigterink et al, 2018).…”