Puppy behavior at the veterinary clinic: A pilot study

Abstract 

New owners usually have many questions regarding their puppy’s behavior during the first physical examination. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the behaviors expressed by puppies when exposed to a veterinary clinic environment. The puppies’ response to physical examination was also studied. A total of 102 puppies, between 8 and 16 weeks of age and of various breeds, were filmed during a standardized physical examination at the veterinary clinic. The study included an observation of the puppy free on the floor (FF) followed by a physical examination on a table (PET) and various manipulations on the floor (MF). During FF, the behavioral categories recorded were: activity, exploration, facial expression, puppy solicitation of interaction with the veterinarian, vocalization, and others. During PET and MF, the type of interaction with the veterinarian, facial expression, and ear position were examined. The study revealed some significant differences between behaviors exhibited by puppies according to their sex, age, and estimated adult weight. Behaviors generally varied widely among puppies, but some individuals showed “extreme behaviors” (outliers) compared to the median puppy. These behaviors included more active avoidance, more locomotion, more panting, or more vocalization, which were often correlated across contexts. These findings suggest that even at a young age, some puppies can be differentiated from others by specific behaviors. Whether or not these individuals are at higher risk of developing behavioral disorders as adults remains to be investigated.

Keywords: puppy, dogs, behavior, veterinary clinic, physical examination