Elsevier

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Volume 6, Issue 4, July–August 2011, Pages 225-231
Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Research
Risk factors associated with behavioral problems in dogs

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.01.006Get rights and content

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was carried out as a preliminary report on the prevalence and risk factors for owner-perceived behavioral problems in the dog population. A total of 232 owners were interviewed by means of an epidemiologic questionnaire in a hospital environment and data were analyzed using a logistic model. Statistical multivariate analysis confirmed the relationship between sex and age and inter-dog aggressiveness. Size of the dog was related to other aggressive behaviors (toward people and toward objects in movement) and different kinds of fears. Breeds classified as potentially dangerous did not show aggressiveness more often than the remaining ones. Sex, age, and size were linked with inappropriate elimination behavior and age of acquisition of the dog with destructive behaviors. These findings support previous contributions and suggest some new data on the epidemiology of behavioral on problems in domestic dogs, which could be useful to improve animal welfare through reducing dog relinquishment and abandonment by preventing undesirable behavioral problems.

Introduction

Undesirable behaviors are common problems in the domestic dog population. So-called behavioral problems are risk factors for relinquishment of dogs to an animal shelter (Patronek et al., 1996). Besides, dog bites in human beings are a complex problem for public health (Weiss et al., 1998), with a huge media focus and negative social effect. Some behavior pathologies, such as separation anxiety, pose problems in the field of animal welfare (Horwitz, 2002).

Many differences are found between the prevalence of behavioral problems in previously published data. In the United States, it has been estimated that 40% of the dog and cat population have behavioral problems (Voith, 1985); other studies in the same country show a prevalence rate of 87% for this pattern in dogs (Campbell, 1986). In the United Kingdom or Australia (Adams and Clark, 1989; O'Farrell, 1992), about 80% of dogs exhibited undesirable behaviors. In Denmark, 29% of the dogs show these kinds of problems, despite the fact that only 4 behaviors were analyzed: dominance toward the owner, inter-dog dominance aggression, separation anxiety, and shooting phobia (Rugbjerg et al., 2003). In summary, it has been estimated that between 40% and 87% of the dogs may exhibit behavioral problems.

Several studies show that aggressiveness is the most frequent behavior pathology in dogs (Voith, 1985, Knol, 1987, Wright and Nesselrote, 1987, Landsberg, 1991, Hsu and Serpell, 2003, Bamberger and Houpt, 1991-2001, Yalcin and Batmaz, 2000-2004). Other frequent behavioral problems reported in these published papers are inappropriate elimination (Voith, 1985, Landsberg, 1991) or different anxieties, such as separation anxiety disorder (Hsu and Serpell, 2003, Bamberger and Houpt, 1991-2001, Yalcin and Batmaz, 2000-2004).

In the United States and Australia, it was verified that the most frequent behavioral problems were jumping on people, excessive vocalizations, and destructive conducts (Campbell, 1986, Adams and Clark, 1989). In Spain, Fatjó et al. (2006) observed that destructiveness, aggressiveness, and house soiling were the most common complaints regarding behavioral problems in dogs.

Many of the studies reflect that dogs show generally more than one behavior problem (Campbell, 1986, Adams and Clark, 1989, Hsu and Serpell, 2003, Bamberger and Houpt, 1991-2001, Fatjó et al., 2006, Yalcin and Batmaz, 2000-2004).

Data also indicate that certain breeds are prone to suffering these inconveniences. Some studies have reported significant differences between breeds in all the analyzed patterns (Takeuchi and Mori, 2006) and for different analysis factors, such as aggressiveness, reactivity, and immaturity (Bradshaw and et al., 1996).

Studies have shown clear breed differences for canine aggressiveness (Borchelt, 1983, Podberscek and Serpell, 1997). Takeuchi and Mori (2006) demonstrated differences in canine behavioral predisposition among breeds in different countries, suggesting that the genetic basis of breed-specific temperamental traits is manifested independently of the cultural or regional identities of the owners.

It has also been verified that certain behaviors are associated with a specific breed, such as the aggressive behavior in English cocker spaniels, which specially affect males and golden coat specimens (Podberscek and Serpell, 1997). Guy et al. (2001) included the dog’s weight in their evaluations, and concluded that increasing body size was associated with a reduced odds of biting.

Behavioral problems are more frequent in early-to-middle age. The average age of dogs presented for behavioral problems is 2.5-3.7 years (Wright and Nesselrote, 1987, Landsberg, 1991, Hsu and Serpell, 2003, Bamberger and Houpt, 1991-2001), except for those that have phobias. The average age of diagnosis for phobias is 6.5 years (Bamberger and Houpt, 2006).

Time and source of acquisition could also be an important factor. Fatjó, et al. (2007) revealed the relation between the age of acquisition and aggressiveness. Most aggressive dogs (65.6%) were adopted within the “socialization period” (from 3 to 12 weeks of age), whereas 17% came into their new household between 12 weeks and 12 months of age. In all, 9.5% of dogs were adopted during the neonatal and transitional periods (from birth to 21 days) and 7.9% after the first year of life. With respect to the source from which the dog was obtained, a high percentage of aggressive dogs were homebred, acquired from professional breeders or from a pet shop (Fatjó et al., 2007)

Earlier research revealed that males have higher risk for behavioral problems than females (Wright and Nesselrote, 1987, Landsberg, 1991, Hsu and Serpell, 2003). Investigations suggest an important role of the hormone testosterone in the development of various misconduct. All forms of aggression are observed in males (Borchelt, 1983, Bradshaw et al., 1996, Guy et al., 2001, Takeuchi and Mori, 2006, Bamberger and Houpt, 1991-2001), whereas females are more inclined to intraspecific aggression.

Some studies suggest that female dogs were rated higher than males on both phobias (Bamberger and Houpt, 2006) and excessive demand for affection (Bradshaw et al., 1996), whereas inappropriate elimination and certain immature behaviors were found to be more common in males (Landsberg, 1991).

Aggressiveness could be affected by the reproductive status of the animal. Entire males could have an increased probability of being aggressive than neutered dogs; conversely, aggressiveness is observed more often in spayed females (Borchelt, 1983, Wright and Nesselrote, 1987, Wright, 1991). Guy et al. (2001) indicated that both neutered males and spayed females showed a positive association with a higher probability of aggression. However, Blackshaw (1991) found that entire males and females are more aggressive than neutered males and spayed females. Sexually intact dogs were less likely to have separation anxiety as compared with neutered dogs (Flannigan and Dodman, 2001, Takeuchi et al., 2001).

Originally, Hopkins et al. (1976) pointed out that behavior patterns of roaming, fighting with other males, mounting other dogs or people, and urine marking in the house were reduced by castration. Other studies did not find any relation between castration and urine marking (Hart, 1974, Reid et al., 1984, Yeon et al., 1999).

One of the main reasons dogs are given away, abandoned, or euthanized is troublesome behavior problems. The knowledge of the epidemiology of these problems is an essential key to establish treatment and prevention programs. Most of the studies performed have focused on a univariant approach and several are based on cases presented to a specialist behavioral clinic. Despite numerous studies, there are still discrepancies about the most common behavior problems and the influence of the relationship of some risk factors with these misbehaviors.

In this sense, this study was designed as a preliminary report on the prevalence and risk factors for owner-perceived behavioral problems using a multivariate approach.

Section snippets

Study design and animals surveyed

This was a cross-sectional study carried out in 2008 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital “Rof Codina” (Veterinary Faculty of Lugo), which is a reference center for veterinary clinics in Northwest Spain.

Animals included in the study were selected during the aforementioned period from cases sent to the internal medicine and surgery services whose owners were willing to participate, thus fulfilling all the inclusion criteria.

The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) Dogs aged ≥1 year, (2) dogs

Results

The prevalence estimation of the behavior problems observed more frequently is shown in Table 2.

Logistic regression model found 2 major factors associated with aggressiveness toward other dogs: Sex and age. Males were 1.63 times more likely to show this behavior and no differences were found between neutered and not neutered dogs. Moreover, prevalence for this misconduct slightly increased with age (Table 3).

Only morphotype was associated with other aggressive behaviors in the univariate

Discussion

Studies undertaken to determine the direct link between behavioral problems and several factors using a multivariate approach that allows controlling interaction and confounding factors are sparse. This is the main strength of our study, where the number of participating dogs (n = 232) ensured validity of statistical methodology (Doménech, 2004). A limitation of the current study, which should not be underestimated, was the potential role that other risk factors may have played in the present

Conclusions

The findings of the present study support previous findings and suggest some new information to the epidemiology of behavioral problems in domestic dogs.

In summary, fears are the most common behavioral problem in the studied dog population. Dogs classified as dangerous do not seem to be more aggressive than the rest. Sex is related to inter-dog aggressiveness and complaints about elimination behaviors, but reproductive status is not significant. The morphotype seems to be associated with

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