Elsevier

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Volume 15, September–October 2016, Pages 1-11
Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Canine Research
An epidemiological analysis of dog behavior problems presented to an Australian behavior clinic, with associated risk factors

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2016.07.001Get rights and content

Abstract

Records of dogs presented to a behavior clinic servicing the eastern seaboard of Australia in and around Brisbane and the Gold Coast were analyzed for principal behavior problems and the related factors, from information recorded at the time that the owner approached the clinic for assistance. Data relating to 7,858 dogs presenting with 11,521 behavior problems between 2001 and 2013 were analyzed. Twenty-two principal behavior problems were identified, of which the most common, in declining order, were aggression toward people, barking, and anxious behavior. Male dogs were at greater risk of several behavior problems, compared to female dogs. Low socioeconomic status of owners and a short period spent at home each week were also associated with a greater risk of several behavior problems. The prevalence of breeds and breed groups presented to the clinic were compared with dog registrations at the local city council, and there were more working dogs; hounds and utility dogs; and fewer terriers, toy dogs, and nonsporting dogs in the clinic population. Uncommon breeds were overrepresented in the clinic population compared to local registrations. The risk of developing behavior problems is discussed in the light of evidence about the dogs and their owners.

Introduction

Dogs are important to human society for their companionship and the many other roles that they fulfill (Coppinger and Schneider, 1995, Jagoe and Serpell, 1996, Kobelt et al., 2003). However, behavior problems in companion animals present serious public health, economic, and animal welfare concerns. We use the term behavior problems to describe any behavior exhibited by a companion animal that is unacceptable to the owner (Wells, 1996, Amat et al., 2009). Canine behavior problems break down the bond between dog and owner (Campbell, 1999), sometimes leading to the abandonment of the dog to a shelter (Patronek et al., 1996) and may ultimately lead to euthanasia of the dog (Patronek et al., 1995, Houpt et al., 1996). In both Australia and the United Kingdom about 80% of dogs have been reported as exhibiting behaviors undesirable to owners (Adams and Clark, 1989, O’Farrell, 1992, Martınez et al., 2011). Approximately 50% of owners relinquishing their dogs around the world do so because of behavior problems (Patronek et al., 1996, Segurson et al., 2005). In Australia, there are an estimated 4.2 million dogs (ANKC, 2015) and in 2009-2010, 20,177 dogs were euthanized in RSPCA shelters, 10,784 (53%) of whom met this fate because of behavior problems (RSPCA, 2010).

Exhibition of canine behavior problems depends on many risk factors, including breed, age, sex, neuter status, relationship with owners, acquisition, and diet (Voith et al., 1997, Wells and Hepper, 2000, Kim et al., 2009, Khoshnegah et al., 2011). The dwelling place is also important: most of the 63% of Australian households that have a pet dog (Animal Health Alliance, 2013) live in suburbia and keep the dog confined to household backyards for much of the time (Kobelt et al., 2003). In addition, in modern society, many owners work full time and therefore have to leave their dog at home alone for most of the day, which may result in the dog experiencing anxiety and separation-related behavior problems (Rugbjerg et al., 2003, Rehn and Keeling, 2011, Scaglia et al., 2013).

Many researchers have reported associations between specific dog breeds and a high prevalence of certain behavior problems (Podberscek and Serpell, 1997, Bradshaw and Goodwin, 1998, Svartberg, 2006, Takeuchi and Mori, 2006). Although genetic factors undoubtedly play a major role in the underlying mechanism for some behavior problems (Overall, 1994, Overall, 2005, Overall and Dunham, 2002), it is the interaction between genetics, environment, and experience that governs behavioral development (Plomin and Asbury, 2005). Breed-related risk factors can result from genetic predispositions to environmental influences (Mertens, 2002). Some epidemiological studies have found that breed and sex-related factors are affected by geographical and cultural differences (Landsberg, 1991, Bamberger and Houpt, 2006).

Many environmental factors, and in particular owners' characteristics (e.g., age, sex, level of education, levels of experience, extent of interaction with dogs, personality, and area of residence), are risk factors for behavior problems (Podberscek and Serpell, 1997, Messam et al., 2008, Perez-Guisado and Munoz-Serrano, 2009). Several canine behavior problems, including separation anxiety, can be attributed to responses to anxiety or stress (Horwitz et al., 2002). Dogs with separation anxiety frequently display excessive vocalization, destructive behavior, elimination in the house, pacing, salivating, and trembling (McCrave, 1991, Voith and Borchelt, 1996, Overall, 1997).

The most commonly reported clinical behavior problems in dogs include aggression, destructiveness, elimination, fearful behavior, and barking (Marder and Voith, 1991, Mugford, 1995, Landsberg et al., 1997, Overall, 1997, Wells and Hepper, 2000, Kim et al., 2009). In the United States, the most frequent behavior problem is reported to be aggression, which in one study was mostly toward people, but dogs also displayed separation anxiety, house soiling, attention-seeking behavior, barking, and destructive behavior (Bamberger and Houpt, 2006). Aggression has been cited as the most frequent complaint regarding canine behavior presented to specialists, reported in 42%-66% of all cases seen by small animal behaviorists (Borchelt, 1983, Overall, 1997, Beaver, 1999). In a survey of small animal veterinary practices in Spain (Fatjó et al., 2006), most canine aggression was directed toward other dogs (39%), with 24% and 37% toward family and nonfamily members, respectively. Lindell (2002) reports that in an unpublished survey conducted in the United States of 722 dogs from 502 different households, 76% of dogs showed aggressive behavior, 70% inappropriate elimination, 57% pulled on their lead, 48% were easily excitable, and 23% behaved improperly when travelling.

Epidemiological studies are important to understand the risk factors for behavior problems and to facilitate the use of the best preventive measures. Although there have been some surveys undertaken to gain information on dogs in Australian households (Adams and Clark, 1989, McHarg et al., 1995, Kobelt et al., 2003), to the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical epidemiological study of a large database of behavior problems in Australian dogs. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the risk factors for behavior problems in dogs. Specifically, we asked whether the following dog and owner characteristics, breed, breed group, pure versus mixed/crossbred dogs, dog gender, neutered versus entire status, postcode of the owner, and time spent at home by the owner, were associated with increased risk for behavior problems.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

Participants in the study were dog owners who contacted a Brisbane-based companion animal behavior clinic (Pethealth.com.au). A total of 9200 questionnaire responses from the self-selecting owners of dogs with behavior problems were downloaded from the database of the clinic. The owners included “clients” (n = 3171), who paid for a face-to-face consultation, “customers” (n = 533), who purchased products, for example, training classes or pet accessories, but not a consultation, and “prospective

Owner characteristics

Postcode information was obtained for 6,347 cases (81%), but the clients' normal home/work routine was mostly unreported (n = 5,932, 76%). Of those responding to the query about daily routine, the most common category was 20-40 hours/week at work (n = 647, 8.2%) or mostly home (n = 635, 8.1 %). Less commonly, respondents reported a variable work routine (shift work) (n = 372, 4.7%) or spending 40-60 hours/week at work (n = 269, 3.4%). Few responders reported spending less than 20 hours/week at

Discussion

Dogs exhibit a range of behaviors related to their emotional state (Beaver, 1982). Experience, genetics, and environment are the 3 dominant influences on most aspects of behavior (Gottesman and Hanson, 2005). In this study, the dog's breed, sex, neuter status, and the owners' socioeconomic status and work routine were all associated with some of the listed behavior problems assayed through an Australian behavior clinic. In this population, behavior problems were most affected by neutering

Conclusions

An analysis of dog and owner characteristics of cases at a dog behavior clinic has revealed the principal behavior problems in this region, in declining order, aggression, barking, and anxious behavior. Breed information identified that more owners of working dogs; hounds and utility dogs; and fewer owners of terriers, toy dogs, and nonsporting queried the clinic about their dogs' behaviors. Breeds that were uncommon in our database were overrepresented, compared to Gold Coast City Council

Acknowledgments

No external funding was provided for this study. Ramazan Col received a scholarship from Council of Higher Education of Turkey to study at the University of Queensland.

The idea for the study was conceived by Cam Day and it was designed by Clive Phillips. The study was performed by Ramazan Col and Clive Phillips. The data were collected by Cam Day. The data were analyzed by Clive Phillips and Ramazan Col. The article was written by Ramazan Col and Clive Phillips, in consultation with Cam Day.

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