All posts; Tags Include "Shelter"

August 3, 2016
02:45 PM
352 views

Why Do People Choose Certain Dogs?

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

Many factors go into people’s choice of dogs. Animal welfare isn’t always top of the list, but could this change?English Bulldogs only live six years, according to a recent paper that highlights the lack of genetic diversity in this breed (Pederson et al 2016). Karin Brulliard of the Washington Post spoke to one of the authors of the study, Niels Pederson. “There are genetic diseases that [breeders] could test for, but they choose not to. Which means they’re more interested in the coat c........ Read more »

Asher, L., Diesel, G., Summers, J., McGreevy, P., & Collins, L. (2009) Inherited defects in pedigree dogs. Part 1: Disorders related to breed standards. The Veterinary Journal, 182(3), 402-411. DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.08.033

Brown, W., Davidson, J., & Zuefle, M. (2013) Effects of Phenotypic Characteristics on the Length of Stay of Dogs at Two No Kill Animal Shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 16(1), 2-18. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2013.740967

Diverio, S., Boccini, B., Menchetti, L., & Bennett, P. (2016) The Italian perception of the ideal companion dog. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 27-35. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2016.02.004

Garrison, L., & Weiss, E. (2014) What Do People Want? Factors People Consider When Acquiring Dogs, the Complexity of the Choices They Make, and Implications for Nonhuman Animal Relocation Programs. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 18(1), 57-73. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.943836

Ghirlanda, S., Acerbi, A., Herzog, H., & Serpell, J. (2013) Fashion vs. Function in Cultural Evolution: The Case of Dog Breed Popularity. PLoS ONE, 8(9). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074770

King, T., Marston, L., & Bennett, P. (2009) Describing the ideal Australian companion dog. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 120(1-2), 84-93. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.04.011

Lampe, R., & Witte, T. (2014) Speed of Dog Adoption: Impact of Online Photo Traits. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 18(4), 343-354. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.982796

McMillan, F., Serpell, J., Duffy, D., Masaoud, E., & Dohoo, I. (2013) Differences in behavioral characteristics between dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores and those obtained from noncommercial breeders. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 242(10), 1359-1363. DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.10.1359

Mornement, K., Coleman, G., Toukhsati, S., & Bennett, P. (2012) What Do Current and Potential Australian Dog Owners Believe about Shelter Practices and Shelter Dogs?. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People , 25(4), 457-473. DOI: 10.2752/175303712X13479798785850

Mornement, K., Coleman, G., Toukhsati, S., & Bennett, P. (2015) Evaluation of the predictive validity of the Behavioural Assessment for Re-homing K9's (B.A.R.K.) protocol and owner satisfaction with adopted dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 35-42. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.03.013

Pedersen, N., Pooch, A., & Liu, H. (2016) A genetic assessment of the English bulldog. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 3(1). DOI: 10.1186/s40575-016-0036-y

Pirrone, F., Pierantoni, L., Pastorino, G., & Albertini, M. (2016) Owner-reported aggressive behavior towards familiar people may be a more prominent occurrence in pet shop-traded dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 13-17. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2015.11.007

Protopopova, A., & Wynne, C. (2014) Adopter-dog interactions at the shelter: Behavioral and contextual predictors of adoption. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 109-116. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.04.007

Protopopova, A., Brandifino, M., & Wynne, C. (2016) Preference assessments and structured potential adopter-dog interactions increase adoptions. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 87-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.12.003

Siettou, C., Fraser, I., & Fraser, R. (2014) Investigating Some of the Factors That Influence “Consumer” Choice When Adopting a Shelter Dog in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 17(2), 136-147. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.883924

Svoboda, H., & Hoffman, C. (2015) Investigating the role of coat colour, age, sex, and breed on outcomes for dogs at two animal shelters in the United States. Animal Welfare, 24(4), 497-506. DOI: 10.7120/09627286.24.4.497

Teng, K., McGreevy, P., Toribio, J., & Dhand, N. (2016) Trends in popularity of some morphological traits of purebred dogs in Australia. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 3(1). DOI: 10.1186/s40575-016-0032-2

Waller, B., Peirce, K., Caeiro, C., Scheider, L., Burrows, A., McCune, S., & Kaminski, J. (2013) Paedomorphic Facial Expressions Give Dogs a Selective Advantage. PLoS ONE, 8(12). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082686

January 27, 2016
08:30 AM
642 views

Shelter Dogs Live Up To Expectations (Mostly)

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

Testing behaviour in the shelter is tricky, but most people who adopt a dog would do so again. Animal shelters often assess the behaviour of dogs before rehoming them, but because the tests are not always scientifically validated, Mornement et al (2014) developed the B.A.R.K. protocol. Results of the B.A.R.K. on 74 shelter dogs successfully predicted in-home ratings for fear and friendliness after the dogs had been adopted, but not anxiety, activity level or compliance. A follow-up paper by........ Read more »

Mornement, K., Coleman, G., Toukhsati, S., & Bennett, P. (2015) Evaluation of the predictive validity of the Behavioural Assessment for Re-homing K9's (B.A.R.K.) protocol and owner satisfaction with adopted dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 35-42. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.03.013

Mornement, K., Coleman, G., Toukhsati, S., & Bennett, P. (2014) Development of the behavioural assessment for re-homing K9's (B.A.R.K.) protocol. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 75-83. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.11.008

January 20, 2016
08:30 AM
523 views

Finding out if shelter dogs are friendly: testing the B.A.R.K. protocol

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

Research shows the challenges of assessing behaviour in shelter dogs.We know our pets well. My dog Bodger is bouncy and friendly; he sits to be patted, then jumps up with a surreptitious kiss; he likes zucchini and hates thunder. We form these observations through time spent with our dogs. But at animal shelters it’s not so easy. How do you assess the temperament of a dog you’ve only just met?Research by Kate Mornement(Monash University; Pets Behaving Badly) et al investigates this problem. ........ Read more »

Mornement, K., Coleman, G., Toukhsati, S., & Bennett, P. (2014) Development of the behavioural assessment for re-homing K9's (B.A.R.K.) protocol. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 75-83. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.11.008

January 13, 2016
08:30 AM
687 views

How Audiobooks Can Help Shelter Dogs

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

New research shows listening to audiobooks can help dogs waiting for adoption.Imagine how it must feel to be a dog at a shelter, taken from your normal environment for reasons you don’t understand, with unfamiliar smells and noises, including other dogs barking. Could the sounds of music or a person reading help? A new study by Clarissa Brayley and Tamara Montrose (Hartpury Animal Behaviour College) tests audiobooks and music to see if they calm the dogs, and finds beneficial results from audi........ Read more »

Brayley, C., & Montrose, V. (2016) The effects of audiobooks on the behaviour of dogs at a rehoming kennels. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 111-115. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.11.008

November 4, 2015
08:30 AM
883 views

Large Study Finds No Evidence for "Black Dog Syndrome"

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

A study of over 16,000 adoptable dogs finds black dogs don’t take longer to be adopted after all.Understanding what people look for in adoptable dogs can make a big difference to animal shelters. It makes sense to target promotions in order to stop dogs having lengthy stays. But you can only do this if you know what people want. The idea that black dogs wait longer for a new home than dogs of other colours has been around for a while. New research by Heather Svoboda and Christy Hoffman (C........ Read more »

Brown, W., Davidson, J., & Zuefle, M. (2013) Effects of Phenotypic Characteristics on the Length of Stay of Dogs at Two No Kill Animal Shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 16(1), 2-18. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2013.740967

Svoboda, H., & Hoffman, C. (2015) Investigating the role of coat colour, age, sex, and breed on outcomes for dogs at two animal shelters in the United States. Animal Welfare, 24(4), 497-506. DOI: 10.7120/09627286.24.4.497

August 12, 2015
08:30 AM
755 views

Proof the Internet helps Cat Adoptions

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

And that toys are important in photographs of adoptable cats.We all assume that internet photos and adverts play an important role in pet adoption these days, and now it’s possible to put a figure on it, at least for cats. 82.5% of people who adopted a cat from a shelter in Western New York said Petfinder strongly or moderately influenced their adoption. The length of time cats waited for adoption varied from 1 to 126 days. Cats whose Petfinder profiles were clicked more than once a day were t........ Read more »

Lampe, R., & Witte, T. (2014) Speed of Dog Adoption: Impact of Online Photo Traits. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1-12. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.982796

Siettou, C., Fraser, I., & Fraser, R. (2014) Investigating Some of the Factors That Influence “Consumer” Choice When Adopting a Shelter Dog in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 17(2), 136-147. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.883924

Workman, M., & Hoffman, C. (2015) An Evaluation of the Role the Internet Site Petfinder Plays in Cat Adoptions. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1-10. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2015.1043366

July 15, 2015
08:30 AM
833 views

Great Photos are Important to Dog Adoption

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

What if the adoption of shelter dogs could be sped up with better photographs? A new study by Rachel Lampe and Thomas Witte (Royal Veterinary College, Herts) studies the effect of photographs of black Labrador Retriever crosses on the length of time before they found a new home. ... Read more »

Lampe, R., & Witte, T. (2014) Speed of Dog Adoption: Impact of Online Photo Traits. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1-12. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.982796

May 17, 2015
08:30 PM
189 views

Less Talk More Touch: What's Your Dog Saying to You?

by Cobb & Hecht in Do You Believe In Dog?

Guest post by: Erica Feuerbacher, PhD, of Carroll College Anthrozoology Program (Facebook)via Flickr creative commonsHi Mia and Julie, Like you and your readers, much of my energy is devoted to my dogs’ happiness. I can identify a plethora of things they do that make me happy and I want to know what makes them happy; I explore this in my research. What types of human interactions do dogs prefer and under what circumstances? Knowing this might help us understand how to produce and maintain........ Read more »

Feuerbacher, E., & Wynne, C. (2015) Shut up and pet me! Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) prefer petting to vocal praise in concurrent and single-alternative choice procedures. Behavioural Processes, 47-59. DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.08.019

May 13, 2015
08:30 AM
885 views

6 Reasons to Love Canine Science

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

Recent years have seen a blossoming of the field of canine science. Here are some reasons to love it.Because dogs are amazing, and science proves it!We love our dogs, and fMRI studies show how important people are to dogs (their caudate lights up on smelling a familiar human, Berns et al 2014). Dogs can learn to follow pointing gestures, will try to comfort a crying stranger and respond to the sound of a baby crying. Chaser the border collie knows 1000 words. And we mustn’t forget how am........ Read more »

Berns, G., Brooks, A., & Spivak, M. (2015) Scent of the familiar: An fMRI study of canine brain responses to familiar and unfamiliar human and dog odors. Behavioural Processes, 37-46. DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.02.011

Casey, R., Loftus, B., Bolster, C., Richards, G., & Blackwell, E. (2014) Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 52-63. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.12.003

Freedman, D., King, J., & Elliot, O. (1961) Critical Period in the Social Development of Dogs. Science, 133(3457), 1016-1017. DOI: 10.1126/science.133.3457.1016

Gácsi, M., Vas, J., Topál, J., & Miklósi, �. (2013) Wolves do not join the dance: Sophisticated aggression control by adjusting to human social signals in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 145(3-4), 109-122. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.02.007

Feuerbacher, E., & Wynne, C. (2012) RELATIVE EFFICACY OF HUMAN SOCIAL INTERACTION AND FOOD AS REINFORCERS FOR DOMESTIC DOGS AND HAND-REARED WOLVES. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 98(1), 105-129. DOI: 10.1901/jeab.2012.98-105

Hall, N.J., Lord, K., Arnold, A-M.K., Wynne, C.D.L., & Udell, M. (2015) Assessment of attachment behaviours to human caregivers in wolf pups (Canis lupus lupus). Behavioural Processes, 15-21. info:/

Herron, M., Shofer, F., & Reisner, I. (2009) Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117(1-2), 47-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.12.011

McGowan, R., Rehn, T., Norling, Y., & Keeling, L. (2013) Positive affect and learning: exploring the “Eureka Effect” in dogs. Animal Cognition, 17(3), 577-587. DOI: 10.1007/s10071-013-0688-x

Morrow, M., Ottobre, J., Ottobre, A., Neville, P., St-Pierre, N., Dreschel, N., & Pate, J. (2015) Breed-dependent differences in the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior in puppies. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2015.03.002

O'Haire, M., McKenzie, S., McCune, S., & Slaughter, V. (2013) Effects of Animal-Assisted Activities with Guinea Pigs in the Primary School Classroom. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People , 26(3), 445-458. DOI: 10.2752/175303713X13697429463835

Protopopova, A., & Wynne, C. (2014) Adopter-dog interactions at the shelter: Behavioral and contextual predictors of adoption. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 109-116. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.04.007

Rooney, N., & Cowan, S. (2011) Training methods and owner–dog interactions: Links with dog behaviour and learning ability. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 132(3-4), 169-177. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.03.007

Rooney, N., Morant, S., & Guest, C. (2013) Investigation into the Value of Trained Glycaemia Alert Dogs to Clients with Type I Diabetes. PLoS ONE, 8(8). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069921

Siettou, C., Fraser, I., & Fraser, R. (2014) Investigating Some of the Factors That Influence “Consumer” Choice When Adopting a Shelter Dog in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 17(2), 136-147. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.883924

April 8, 2015
08:30 AM
863 views

Why Do People Relinquish Large Dogs?

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

When someone gives up a large dog to a shelter, what are the usual reasons?Research by Emily Weiss (ASPCA) et al looks at why people relinquish large dogs – and whether there are interventions that could have helped the animal stay in its home. The results show that people issues, rather than dog issues, are given as the main reason. They also highlight that owners have many good things to say about their dog, even as it is relinquished.In the US, large dogs are at a greater risk of euthanasia........ Read more »

Weiss, E., Slater, M., Garrison, L., Drain, N., Dolan, E., Scarlett, J., & Zawistowski, S. (2014) Large Dog Relinquishment to Two Municipal Facilities in New York City and Washington, D.C.: Identifying Targets for Intervention. Animals, 4(3), 409-433. DOI: 10.3390/ani4030409

March 25, 2015
08:30 AM
1,462 views

Can Street Dogs Become Good Pets?

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

From free-ranging dog to new home. It sounds like a fairy-tale, but how does it work out?A recent survey by Yasemin Salgiri Demirbas (Ankara University) et al investigates how well free-roaming urban dogs fit into a family home once they are adopted. The results show the dogs adapt well to their new homes.The scientists say, “Every year in Turkey, thousands of free-ranging dogs are brought to dog shelters. These dogs are mongrel dogs with stray origins.” There is often a bias against adoptin........ Read more »

Blackwell, E., Twells, C., Seawright, A., & Casey, R. (2008) The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 3(5), 207-217. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2007.10.008

Salgirli Demirbas, Y., Emre, B., & Kockaya, M. (2014) Integration ability of urban free-ranging dogs into adoptive families' environment. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 9(5), 222-227. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2014.04.006

Lord, L., Reider, L., Herron, M., & Graszak, K. (2008) Health and behavior problems in dogs and cats one week and one month after adoption from animal shelters. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 233(11), 1715-1722. DOI: 10.2460/javma.233.11.1715

McMillan, F., Duffy, D., & Serpell, J. (2011) Mental health of dogs formerly used as ‘breeding stock’ in commercial breeding establishments. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 135(1-2), 86-94. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.09.006

Sherman, B., & Mills, D. (2008) Canine Anxieties and Phobias: An Update on Separation Anxiety and Noise Aversions. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 38(5), 1081-1106. DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2008.04.012

January 21, 2015
08:30 AM
1,268 views

Do Dogs Prefer Petting or Praise?

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

A new study asks dogs to make the choice. Photo: Felix Rohan / Shutterstock Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE ... Read more »

Feuerbacher, E., & Wynne, C. (2015) Shut up and pet me! Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) prefer petting to vocal praise in concurrent and single-alternative choice procedures. Behavioural Processes, 47-59. DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.08.019

Feuerbacher, E., & Wynne, C. (2012) RELATIVE EFFICACY OF HUMAN SOCIAL INTERACTION AND FOOD AS REINFORCERS FOR DOMESTIC DOGS AND HAND-REARED WOLVES. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 98(1), 105-129. DOI: 10.1901/jeab.2012.98-105

Fukuzawa, M., & Hayashi, N. (2013) Comparison of 3 different reinforcements of learning in dogs (Canis familiaris). Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 8(4), 221-224. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2013.04.067

OKAMOTO, Y., OHTANI, N., UCHIYAMA, H., & OHTA, M. (2009) The Feeding Behavior of Dogs Correlates with their Responses to Commands. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 71(12), 1617-1621. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.001617

Saito, A., & Shinozuka, K. (2013) Vocal recognition of owners by domestic cats (Felis catus). Animal Cognition, 16(4), 685-690. DOI: 10.1007/s10071-013-0620-4

December 17, 2014
08:30 AM
992 views

Picking a New Dog is a Complex Choice

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

It’s not a case of ‘any puppy will do’ - the whole package counts.Photo: DragoNika / ShutterstockSurprisingly little is known about how people choose a new dog considering how popular they are. While it’s a personal choice, it has wider implications – humane societies would really like to know how to increase adoptions from shelters and decrease purchases from puppy mills. Could relocation programs, where dogs are brought in from out of town, be part of the solution?A new paper by Laur........ Read more »

Garrison, L., & Weiss, E. (2014) What Do People Want? Factors People Consider When Acquiring Dogs, the Complexity of the Choices They Make, and Implications for Nonhuman Animal Relocation Programs. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 18(1), 57-73. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.943836

Mornement, K., Coleman, G., Toukhsati, S., & Bennett, P. (2012) What Do Current and Potential Australian Dog Owners Believe about Shelter Practices and Shelter Dogs?. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People , 25(4), 457-473. DOI: 10.2752/175303712X13479798785850

Siettou, C., Fraser, I., & Fraser, R. (2014) Investigating Some of the Factors That Influence “Consumer” Choice When Adopting a Shelter Dog in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 17(2), 136-147. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.883924

September 3, 2014
01:22 PM
1,430 views

Adopting Shelter Dogs: Should Fido Lie Down or Play?

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

If you go down to the shelter today, will you bring home a dog? A new study by Alexandra Protopopova and Clive Wynne (2014) finds that interactions between dogs and potential adopters predict the likelihood of adoption.Photo: Alexey Shinkevich / ShutterstockEvery year in the USA, 3-4 million healthy, potentially-adoptable, homeless animals are euthanized (AHA and PetSmart 2012). Many would be saved if there was a better understanding of how to increase adoptions from animal shelters. Previ........ Read more »

Protopopova, A., & Wynne, C. (2014) Adopter-dog interactions at the shelter: Behavioral and contextual predictors of adoption. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 109-116. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.04.007

June 11, 2014
11:47 AM
1,277 views

Do Dogs Get that Eureka! Feeling?

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

Does successful problem solving make dogs happy?Photo: Mackland / ShutterstockNew research by Ragen McGowan et al (University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden) investigates whether dogs enjoy the experience of solving a problem in order to obtain a reward, or if it is just the reward itself that makes them happy.Rather unusually, the idea came from a study that found cattle who completed a task to earn a reward seemed to be happier than those who just received the reward. The design of McG........ Read more »

Feuerbacher E N, & Wynne C D L. (2012) Relative efficacy of human social interaction and food as reinforcers for domestic dogs and hand-reared wolves. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 105-129. DOI: 10.1901/jeab.2012.98-105

Fukuzawa, M., & Hayashi, N. (2013) Comparison of 3 different reinforcements of learning in dogs (Canis familiaris). Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 221-224. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2013.04.067

McGowan RT, Rehn T, Norling Y, & Keeling LJ. (2014) Positive affect and learning: exploring the "Eureka Effect" in dogs. Animal cognition, 17(3), 577-87. PMID: 24096703

Okamoto Y, Ohtani N, Uchiyama H, & Ohta M. (2009) The feeding behavior of dogs correlates with their responses to commands. The Journal of veterinary medical science / the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science, 71(12), 1617-21. PMID: 20046029

May 7, 2014
08:30 AM
1,692 views

What Do People Look for When Adopting a Dog?

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

A study of over 2000 shelter dogs investigates the physical and behavioural characteristics that make dogs get rehomed faster. Some of the results may surprise you.Photo: Melissa King / ShutterstockA recent study by Christina Siettou et al (University of Kent) uses techniques from consumer analysis to gain a better understanding of people’s choices when adopting a dog from a shelter. The researchers looked at the different characteristics of dogs waiting for homes and compared it to the ........ Read more »

Siettou, C., Fraser, I., & Fraser, R. (2014) Investigating Some of the Factors That Influence “Consumer” Choice When Adopting a Shelter Dog in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 17(2), 136-147. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2014.883924

April 2, 2014
08:30 AM
1,269 views

How About that Doggy at the Hair Salon?

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

Can we speed up the process of re-homing shelter dogs by getting the dog out of the shelter and into the community?Photo: AdamEdwards / ShutterstockEvery year, many dogs find new homes through animal rescues and shelters, but some have a long wait and many are never re-homed. What if there was a way to free up shelter space and encourage people who would not visit the shelter to adopt? A new paper by Heather Mohan-Gibbons et al (2014) assesses the success of a scheme in which dogs were mov........ Read more »

Mohan-Gibbons, H., Weiss, E., Garrison, L., & Allison, M. (2014) Evaluation of a Novel Dog Adoption Program in Two US Communities. PLoS ONE, 9(3). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091959

October 16, 2013
08:30 AM
1,306 views

Homeless Cats: Lessons from Australia

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

Photo: joyfuldesigns/Shutterstock Although there are many un-owned cats, surprisingly little is known about the cats taken in by shelters and rescues. Without this information, it is difficult to design strategies to tackle the problem. A study in the Australian Journal of Veterinary Medicine by Alberthsson et al investigates the source and characteristics of cats admitted to RSPCA shelters in Queensland from July 2006 to June 2008.All eleven RSPCA shelters in Queensland took part. During t........ Read more »

Alberthsen C, Rand JS, Bennett PC, Paterson M, Lawrie M, & Morton JM. (2013) Cat admissions to RSPCA shelters in Queensland, Australia: description of cats and risk factors for euthanasia after entry. Australian veterinary journal, 91(1-2), 35-42. PMID: 23356370

Weiss E, Patronek G, Slater M, Garrison L, & Medicus K. (2013) Community partnering as a tool for improving live release rate in animal shelters in the United States. Journal of applied animal welfare science : JAAWS, 16(3), 221-38. PMID: 23795686

July 31, 2013
08:30 AM
1,860 views

The Importance of Food in Dog Training

by CAPB in Companion Animal Psychology Blog

It goes without saying that food is vitally important and also one of life’s luxuries. Many people routinely use food such as chicken or treats to train their dogs, while others are offended by the idea and think their dog should obey commands for praise or affection. Who is right?Several scientists have looked at this topic recently. Last year we reported on a study by Erica Feuerbacher and Clive Wynnethat compared the use of a food reward to petting and praise in training. In a series of fi........ Read more »

Feuerbacher E N, & Wynne C D L. (2012) Relative efficacy of human social interaction and food as reinforcers for domestic dogs and hand-reared wolves. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 105-129. DOI: 10.1901/jeab.2012.98-105

Fukuzawa, M., & Hayashi, N. (2013) Comparison of 3 different reinforcements of learning in dogs (Canis familiaris). Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 221-224. DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2013.04.067

Okamoto Y, Ohtani N, Uchiyama H, & Ohta M. (2009) The feeding behavior of dogs correlates with their responses to commands. The Journal of veterinary medical science / the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science, 71(12), 1617-21. PMID: 20046029

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