Special Issue "Canine Behavior, Behavioral Wellbeing"
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Companion Animals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2022.
Special Issue Editor
Interests: behavior disorders; behavioral wellbeing; translational research; biomarkers; objective measurement; dogs; cats; companion animals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Canine behaviors have been studied from the aspect of owner’s perceptions, symptoms of behavior disorders, and medical disorders such as neurological conditions or pain. In recent years, as the knowledge of this field has grown, there is increased awareness of the importance of psychological and behavioral well-being and their impact on the physiological health of dogs. However, we also realize more studies are needed to collect quantitative data that allow for clinical application.
Multidimensional factors that help to enhance our scientific understanding of canine behaviors are
- Interpreting and evaluating behaviors;
- Preventing behavior disorders;
- Optimizing therapeutic outcomes;
- Evaluating behavior training and management;
- Assessing environmental factors;
- Examining influence of caregiver’s satisfaction or burden.
This Special Issue welcomes contributions on these topics in original and clinical investigations or literature reviews from interdisciplinary research.
Dr. Niwako Ogata
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- behavior assessment
- behavior problems/disorders
- behavioral well-being
- behavior management/treatment
- behavior modification
Planned Papers
The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.
Title: Stranger-directed aggression in pet dogs: Owner, environment, training and dog-associated risk factors
Authors: Hannah E. Flint (1,2), Jason B. Coe (1), David L. Pearl (1), James A. Serpell (3), Lee Niel (1*)
Affiliation: 1: Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1 2: Current address: WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, Leicestershire, UK, LE14 4RT 3: Department of Clinical Studies VHUP, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19104
Abstract: Stranger-directed aggression (SDA) in dogs can result in injuries, impair the human-animal bond and lead to increased use of physical punishment, relinquishment or euthanasia. We determined risk factors for SDA in dogs using an online questionnaire assessing dog temperament (using C-BARQ), as well as dog and owner characteristics, training and environment. General SDA score was analyzed using mixed linear regression (n=2,760), and severe SDA (bites or bite attempts) was compared to threatening behaviours using a mixed logistic regression model (n=2,383 dogs); household was included as a random effect. Various factors were associated with increased SDA scores including dog temperament (higher impulsivity and fear of strangers, indifference towards strangers as a puppy), dog characteristics (male, neutered for behaviour, breed differences), training and environment (fed on a schedule, use of potentially aversive methods and aids in training, limited exposure to strangers as a puppy, history of abuse), and owner characteristics (extroverted owners, reduced ability to identify absence of aggression). Lower SDA scores were associated with crating, training with positive reinforcement and redirection, and exercising on-leash, off-leash or at the dog park. Severe SDA was associated with severe fear of strangers, higher impulsivity scores, male dogs, limited exposure to and indifference towards strangers as a puppy, use of potentially aversive methods and aids in training, and limited exercising off leash. The primary risk factors for SDA relate to dog and training variables, and these results can be used to inform future research examining appropriate training and management of dogs to pre-vent development of SDA.