Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6379773 | Applied Animal Behaviour Science | 2008 | 9 Pages |
Abstract
The potential risk factors associated with the canine behavioural problems, separation-related distress (SRD) and feed-related aggression (FRA) were evaluated by a questionnaire, distributed through Dog's Life magazine. Data on 690 Australian dogs in 485 self-selected respondent households showed that dogs acquired from friends or family had a higher probability of exhibiting low SRD scores than dogs acquired from pet shops (PÂ =Â 0.003). Male dogs had a higher probability of exhibiting high SRD scores (PÂ =Â 0.039) as did intact dogs (PÂ =Â 0.011). Dogs that generally engaged in game-playing with their owners had a higher probability of exhibiting low SRD scores (PÂ =Â 0.023). However, dogs that played games within the first 30Â min of their owner arriving home had a higher probability of exhibiting high SRD scores (PÂ =Â 0.020) than dogs that did not. The probability of SRD also increased with the number of human adult females in the house (PÂ =Â 0.014). The following factors showed a positive association with a higher probability of FRA: mixed breeds (PÂ =Â 0.019), increasing dog age at acquisition (PÂ =Â 0.048), increasing number of females in the household (PÂ =Â 0.003), increasing number of dogs in the household (PÂ =Â 0.000) and feeding a dog treats during the owner's dinner (PÂ =Â 0.019).
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Animal Science and Zoology
Authors
Paul D. McGreevy, Abby M. Masters,