Three Things to Know
Traditional one-time shelter assessments have been criticized for their inaccuracies, which may have resulted in the euthanasia of adoptable dogs. Researchers sought to determine if kennel behavior monitoring could provide additional insights.
Using video recording and automated tools, researchers observed dogs for one hour each day during their first five days in the shelter. A strong correlation was found between formal assessments and kennel behaviors, suggesting that kennel observations can predict the outcomes of formal assessments.
Researchers recommended combining continuous kennel monitoring with formal assessments and addressing negative behaviors, such as tense body posture and panting, early on.
The Full Picture
Dog shelters often conduct standard behavior assessments to determine a dog’s adoptability. However, these assessments have been criticized for their inaccuracies, particularly in predicting behavior problems. The unfamiliar test environment, including strange smells and the presence of other dogs, can stress the animal and influence its behavior during the one-off assessment.
Researchers have proposed an alternative approach: monitoring dogs in their kennels. By observing their behavior in a familiar setting, where they gradually acclimate to the shelter environment over a period of time, a more accurate assessment of their behavior, including interactions with handlers and other animals, can be obtained. In addition, by recognizing stress responses early, shelter staff can intervene to better a dog’s mental health and improve adoption outcomes.
The study, “Early Recognition of Behavior Problems in Shelter Dogs by Monitoring them in their Kennels after Admission to a Shelter,” aims to compare behaviors observed during the first five days of shelter stay with those exhibited in a structured assessment. This research has the potential to provide valuable insights for improving the adoption suitability assessment process.
Study Methods
Study Subjects
Conducted in a shelter in Queensland, Australia, the study included 38 healthy, privately surrendered dogs (18 male, 20 female). The dogs were aged 6 months to 10 years and had no prior shelter history. The most common breeds were Bull Terriers (9) and Kelpie Crosses (6). All dogs were housed individually in 3.5 m² kennels with concrete floors, solid dividers, and raised beds. They received twice-daily walks and meals.
Behaviour Monitoring
Researchers observed the dogs’ behaviours over five days in their kennels. They leveraged video cameras and automated sensors to monitor dogs each morning for one hour in their kennels, capturing behaviours before any human interaction.
A structured behavior assessment was carried out on day six. Following the RSPCA Queensland’s standard assessment, 10 tests were designed to evaluate the dogs’ responses to different scenarios that mirror potential experiences in a new home environment. These included observing the dog’s initial interaction with a new room, measuring engagement with the handler and time alone.
Behaviour Scoring
Researchers used a 48-behavior ethogram (species-specific behaviours, categorised into a table format) to systematically assess dogs’ behavioral responses. The ethogram covered eight behavioral components (mouth, body, tail, etc.), which were associated with potential emotions (e.g., anxiety, fear, friendliness).
Post-assessment, shelter staff classified dogs as suitable for adoption, requiring behavior modification, or unsuitable due to extreme behavior issues. No dogs in this study required behavior modification.
Study Results
Emotional States of Dogs in Their Kennels
During the first five days, dogs commonly exhibited behaviours such as weight-shifting, balanced stances, and jumping. The recordings showed that tails were often low, eye contact direct or averted, and dogs primarily occupied the front of the kennel or the wire area, with less time spent sleeping or near the back wall. Emotionally, dogs spent 36% of the time in friendly behavior, 25% in fear, 13% in anxiety, 15% in high arousal, and 7% in aggression.
Over the five days, fear-related behaviors like tense posture, tucked tails, and alert ears decreased significantly. Conversely, stiff and slow tail movements increased, as did time spent at the front, near the wire, and sleeping. Panting reduced, while mouth-closed or open behaviors increased. Tense posture and tail tucking decreased, while slow tail movement increased. This highlighted that shelters are stressful environments for dogs and they need time to adjust.
Relationship between Kennel Behavior and Formal Behaviour Assessment
Certain behaviors associated with anxiety, fear, and arousal, such as pacing, ear-backing, and raised tails, were observed both in kennels and during formal behavior tests. This indicates that dogs who exhibited these behaviors in their kennels also displayed similar reactions when introduced to new environments or left alone during assessments. These findings suggest that kennel behaviors can provide valuable insights into a dog’s response to novel situations and periods of isolation.
Relationship between Kennel Behavior and Outcomes for the Dogs
Comparing adopted and eventually-euthanized dogs, the latter showed more tense body posture, especially on day one. While both groups exhibited a decrease over time, euthanized dogs maintained a higher level of tension. Adopted dogs displayed more relaxed, balanced postures, even if this decreased over time.
In addition, adopted dogs barked more frequently, viewed as a socially-engaging behaviour. On the other hand, panting in the kennel, as well as lowered head and scanning behavior in the formal assessment were associated with euthanasia.
Friendliness displayed in the initial days after surrender was associated with adoption suitability. In contrast, behaviors associated with stress or anxiety, like tense posture and scanning, may negatively impact adoption outcomes. These observations support the potential value of continuous behavior monitoring and early intervention if negative traits were noticed.
Conclusion
This research underscores the strong correlation between kennel behaviors and those observed during formal assessments, highlighting the value of continuous monitoring in shelter environments. The researchers suggested that shelters implement a combination of continuous monitoring and automated behavior recognition tools. By integrating formal assessments with long-term behavioral observations, shelters can more effectively identify dogs experiencing difficulty adapting, enabling early intervention through targeted training or behavior modification. This proactive approach can enhance the adoptability of dogs who might otherwise be deemed unsuitable for rehoming.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Improving Rehoming Success > Behaviours In Shelters > Behaviour Assessments
Year of Publication:
2019
External Link:
Clay, L., Paterson, M., Bennett, P., Perry, G., & Phillips, C. (2019). Early Recognition of Behaviour Problems in Shelter Dogs by Monitoring them in their Kennels after Admission to a Shelter. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 9(11), 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110875