Shelter Dogs Alive Upwardly To Expectations (Mostly)

Testing demeanor inward the shelter is tricky, but most people who adopt a domestic dog would produce in addition to therefore again. 

Photo: Julia Siomuha/Shutterstock

By Zazie Todd, PhD

Animal shelters oft assess the demeanor of dogs earlier rehoming them, but because the tests are non ever scientifically validated, Mornement et al (2014) developed the B.A.R.K. protocol. Results of the B.A.R.K. on 74 shelter dogs successfully predicted in-home ratings for fearfulness in addition to friendliness after the dogs had been adopted, but non anxiety, activity score or compliance. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 follow-up newspaper past times Kate Mornement (Monash University; Pets Behaving Badly) et al takes a closer facial expression at how the shelter assessment compares to novel owners’ ratings most iv months after adoption.

First, the expert news. All the novel owners said their domestic dog was business office of the family, 96% said their novel domestic dog adapted to their abode good or rattling well, in addition to 71% said the domestic dog met their expectations. Most dogs were friendly to visitors, in addition to the most mutual occurrence of most demeanor problems was “never”, including fearfulness of strangers, escaping, nutrient guarding in addition to resources guarding.

But the dogs weren’t perfect, because 72% of owners said at that topographic point was a demeanor they would similar to alter – most unremarkably destructive behaviour, fear, barking also much in addition to pulling on leash.

The B.A.R.K. was tested to reckon how good it matched upward to behaviours inward the home. The listing of potential demeanor issues was grouped into iii using a statistical technique called principal ingredient analysis. The B.A.R.K. predicted results on i of these - fearful demeanor in addition to inappropriate toileting – but it did non predict work demeanor or aggression. 

In fact, 24% said their novel domestic dog had shown aggression, defined every bit growling, snapping or trying to seize amongst teeth a soul (16% “rarely”, 7% “sometimes” in addition to 1% “often”). This is surprising because none of the dogs had been aggressive at the shelter (if they had, they wouldn’t have got been deemed adoptable). 

One possibility, state the scientists, is that aggression is non every bit fixed every bit other behavioural traits (e.g. fear) in addition to is hard to assess because it does non occur rattling often. Another possibility is that dogs suppress aggressive behaviours inward the shelter because of the stressful environment.

But it’s also possible the full general world is less aware of canine demeanor in addition to trunk language, in addition to and therefore behaves differently than shelter staff in addition to volunteers. 39% of the novel owners had done no question on domestic dog ownership/behaviour earlier getting the dog. The scientists advise shelters engage inward educational activities in addition to post-adoption support, including a “shelter domestic dog manual” for adopters.

Companionship was the master copy argue for adopting a dog, either every bit a companion for themselves (51%), for some other domestic dog (16%) or for a nestling (10%). The decease of a previous domestic dog (11%) or do (4%) were other reasons given. 

61% chose to adopt from a shelter “to rescue a dog/save a life” (61%); 15% wanted an adult domestic dog in addition to 11% don’t similar pet shops. The factors that went into a determination included the domestic dog needing a abode (88%), the dog’s demeanor (88%), personality (88%) in addition to size (82%). The type of coat in addition to appearance were of import for some people but non others.  

Most people said they would adopt from a shelter over again (76%) in addition to constitute the procedure positive (70%). 
  

“If people are considering adopting a domestic dog they demand to question the type of domestic dog that would best fit their lifestyle,” says doctor Mornement. “For example, a couch Irish Gaelic patato shouldn’t adopt a working breed because they’re unlikely to come across the dog’s needs for do in addition to mental stimulation.

“Other things potential adopters should consider are how much fourth dimension they have got for their domestic dog (to provide companionship, do in addition to training), whether they’re prepared to groom their dog, volition they accept their domestic dog to preparation or sport domestic dog activities. 

“Shelters tin assist adopters to brand the correct selection when choosing their domestic dog past times making a expert tally betwixt adopter in addition to domestic dog in addition to ensuring adopter’s expectations are realistic. Providing postal service adoption obedience classes and/or telephone back upward to overcome whatsoever issues tin assist back upward successful adoptions.”

The authors advise farther question to investigate if dogs that are fostered, rather than kept inward kennels, have got fewer demeanor problems inward novel homes, in addition to if assessments function improve inward this setting. 

This of import written report highlights the issues of assessing domestic dog behaviour, in addition to the difficulties of conducting question inward shelters where fourth dimension in addition to coin are inward brusk supply. Mornement et al conclude past times saying, “A holistic approach including assessment of demeanor pre-shelter, in-shelter in addition to post-shelter, together amongst stress-reducing enrichment in addition to rehabilitation preparation may assist to provide a to a greater extent than consummate moving painting of canine demeanor in addition to adoptability.”

How does your domestic dog compare to your initial expectations?

This article was nominated inward the 2016 Dog Writer's Association of America Annual Writing Competition inward the category Article or Blog - Rescue.

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop spider web log , where she writes most everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today in addition to has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inward 2017. Todd lives inward Maple Ridge, BC, amongst her husband, i dog, in addition to ii cats.

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• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
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References

Mornement, K., Coleman, G., Toukhsati, S., & Bennett, P. (2015). Evaluation of the predictive validity of the Behavioural Assessment for Re-homing K9's (B.A.R.K.) protocol in addition to possessor satisfaction amongst adopted dogs Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 167, 35-42 DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.03.013
Mornement, K., Coleman, G., Toukhsati, S., & Bennett, P. (2014). Development of the behavioural assessment for re-homing K9's (B.A.R.K.) protocol Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 151, 75-83 DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.11.008

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Homeless Youth Amongst Pets Are Less Depressed Than Those Without

A survey of homeless youth finds that pets convey benefits – in addition to difficulties.

Photo: Brad Steels/Shutterstock

By Zazie Todd, PhD

23% of homeless youth select pets, according to enquiry past times Harmony Rhoades et al (University of Southern California). The squad surveyed 398 homeless youth at ii drop-in centres inwards Los Angeles. While previous studies select shown that pets tin last real of import to homeless immature people, this is the showtime quantitative study to await at pet ownership, mental health, in addition to the usage of services with this group.

88% of the immature people inwards the study had attended the drop-in for nutrient during the previous month. Other services they had used included clothe (69%), project assist (52%), housing (49%) in addition to wellness services (47%). Of those with pets, dogs were most mutual (53%) followed past times cats (22%). Other pets included a hamster, rat, chinchilla in addition to iguana. 

“Companion animals render emotional back upward in addition to correspond important, loving relationships inwards the lives of many homeless youth,” tell the authors. 

Pet owners had lower scores for loneliness in addition to depression, in addition to reported many benefits to having a pet. 85% agreed that “my pet keeps me company,” 79% said the pet “makes me experience loved,” in addition to 73% said the pet “makes me experience safe.” 

There was no divergence inwards having been wound or threatened on the street, only those with pets were to a greater extent than probable to study having carried a weapon. There were too no differences inwards beingness hitting or seeing individual last hitting at home. However, with those who were living with family, in that place was a tendency for those with pets to last to a greater extent than probable to experience or witness violence inwards the home. This suggests roughly immature people may last staying inwards a tearing province of affairs because it’s improve for their pet.

The biggest difficulty for those with pets was that one-half of them (49%) said it was harder for them to remain at a shelter. Most shelters exercise non permit pets. Although those with in addition to without pets were as probable to last living on the street, exclusively 4% of those with pets were staying inwards a shelter or housing program, compared to 17% of those without pets.

Other problems included it beingness tricky to honor housing (16%) in addition to hard to run across a doc (11%). Those with pets were less probable than those without to select accessed roughly services (housing in addition to project help) only non others (including food, clothe in addition to wellness services).

While 60% said they made certain their pets ate earlier them, a few reported difficulties getting plenty nutrient for their pet (11%) in addition to almost a quarter (23%) agreed that “strangers attain me a hard fourth dimension for having a pet.” Most of them did non honor it slow to run across a vet. These findings demonstrate that programs that render pet nutrient in addition to vet aid are an of import service for homeless youth.

Homelessness includes a attain of circumstances. 49% of the participants inwards this study were living conduct on the street in addition to 14% were inwards a shelter or programme for the homeless. Of the other housing situations, roughly were staying with family, friends, or a romantic partner. 

Many of them had experienced violence; 55% reported beingness wound badly inwards a care inwards the past times year, in addition to 46% had been hitting at home.

Against this backdrop, the fact in addition to then many said their pets protected them in addition to helped them experience security in addition to loved suggests pets are playing an of import role. The authors say, “Housing in addition to other services must last sensitive to the needs of homeless youth with pets.”

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop weblog , where she writes most everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She too writes a column for Psychology Today in addition to has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, 1 dog, in addition to ii cats.

Useful links:

• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
• Get merch  
• Support me on Ko-fi
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Reference
Rhoades, H., Winetrobe, H., & Rice, E. (2014). Pet Ownership Among Homeless Youth: Associations with Mental Health, Service Utilization in addition to Housing Status Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 46 (2), 237-244 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-014-0463-5

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Most Owners Say Cats Are Business Office Of The Family

Most truthful cat owners are confident inwards their powerfulness to facial expression later their pet, exactly feline welfare could live amend inwards some respects.

By Zazie Todd, PhD

New inquiry past times Tiffani Howell (La Trobe University) et al investigates how people attention for their cats. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 representative survey of pet owners inwards the Australian Blue Planet of Victoria included questions from feeding in addition to sleeping arrangements to how much cats damage over their lifetime.

“In general, Victorian truthful cat owners seem to live coming together their cat’s welfare needs, with a few areas for improvement,” says MD Tiffani Howell. “For instance, nearly one-half of owners let their truthful cat to roam gratis outdoors, which could Pb to injuries. 

“Female owners study higher levels of satisfaction with their cat’s behaviour, in addition to fewer behavioural problems, than manlike somebody owners. Older owners were less probable to direct hold irretrievably lost a truthful cat than younger owners, exactly they study to a greater extent than behavioural problems.”

There are some fascinating facts inwards the survey. Most people are confident they are able to facial expression later their truthful cat (94%) in addition to consider the truthful cat to live business office of the work solid unit of measurement (89%). And most owners significantly underestimate the lifetime damage of caring for him or her.

A tertiary of cats (34%) slumber on their owner’s bed at night, with 22% on other article of furniture in addition to 20% on their ain truthful cat bed. Cats similar to direct hold places that are high up, in addition to 94% of them did. 

61% of cats are said past times their owners to exercise themselves spell 14% of cats plainly larn no exercise.  81% of owners intend their truthful cat is the correct weight. Since vets study a higher proportion of overweight in addition to fat cats, it seems probable some owners produce non realize their pet is overweight.

The release of cats with no toys (11%) suggests some may live missing out on of import enrichment activities, exactly most cats had over 3 (52%) or 1 - 3 (31%) interactions with their possessor each day.

Only 17% of cats spent most of their fourth dimension outside, with 45% to a greater extent than oft than non indoors in addition to the residue splitting their time. 

Although annual vet visits are recommended, 26% of cats had non been to the vet inwards the final twelvemonth in addition to 6% had never been to the vet. The numbers who were non vaccinated inwards the final twelvemonth (24%) or always (5%) almost mirror this. 3% of cats had never been checked for external or internal parasites, in addition to some had non been checked inwards the final twelvemonth (10% in addition to 13%, respectively).

Photo: Mikhail Olvkainie; top, john austin. Both Shutterstock

When people had ii or to a greater extent than cats, 58% said they solely had 1 litter tray, which is a work organisation since the measure advice is to have 1 tray per truthful cat addition 1 extra.

13% of owners said it was to a greater extent than hard than they expected to accept attention of their cat, exactly solely 3% were dissatisfied with their cat’s behaviour, in addition to 92% were satisfied or really satisfied. 

The most mutual conduct work was fearfulness of loud noises, people or animals (18% of cats). 

Of item involvement to readers of this weblog is where people plough for data if they postulate it. Since 87% of owners had never needed to, these answers are to a greater extent than oft than non hypothetical, exactly 66% would inquire their vet, 44% would consult the mesh in addition to 24% would inquire friends or family.

One worrying finding is that 10% said they had lost a truthful cat (and non been able to discovery it) inwards the previous five years. At the same time, 15% of people had acquired their truthful cat past times finding it or taking inwards a stray.

The amount study is packed with data virtually the lives of cats, including how oft litter trays are scooped (once a twenty-four lx minutes menses for 26% of cats), how many are fed tabular array scraps (11%), in addition to how many were obtained for gratis (51%).

448 pet truthful cat owners took business office inwards the study. It was business office of a wider survey of pet-keeping practices; alongside the grouping equally a whole, 79% alive inwards Greater Melbourne, 53% are married in addition to 46% run full-time.  Most of the cats are domestic shorthairs (also known equally moggies), in addition to almost all are spayed or neutered.

The survey is especially useful because the sample is representative of the people of Victoria. Other studies with convenience samples may non reverberate the population equally a whole, because some people – e.g. with a especially potent involvement inwards cats, or whose cats direct hold work behaviours – powerfulness live to a greater extent than probable to reply than others. The results volition aid inwards planning brute welfare campaigns.

If your cat is stressed at the vet, regard less stress at the vet for dogs in addition to cats for some tips. 

Where does your truthful cat slumber at night?

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop weblog , where she writes virtually everything from grooming methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today in addition to has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, 1 dog, in addition to ii cats.

Useful links:

• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
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This page contains affiliate links.

Reference

Howell, T., Mornement, K., & Bennett, P. (2016). Pet truthful cat administration practices amid a representative sample of owners inwards Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications in addition to Research, 11, 42-49 DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2015.10.006

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Interview Alongside Zazie Todd, Phd, On Scientific Discipline Borealis

"...there's no postulate to purpose aversive methods inwards domestic dog training."

I was of late interviewed yesteryear Lindsay Jolivet for Science Borealis. You tin read the amount text of the interview here.

Thank y'all to Science Borealis for featuring .
By Zazie Todd, PhD

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop spider web log , where she writes close everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She likewise writes a column for Psychology Today in addition to has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, amongst her husband, ane dog, in addition to 2 cats.

Useful links:

• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
• Get merch  
• Support me on Ko-fi
• Visit my Amazon store

This page contains affiliate links.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As an Etsy affiliate, I earn from qualifying Etsy purchases.

Reading To Dogs May Amend Literacy

A novel review of existing interrogation finds reading to dogs may aid children’s literacy – simply the lineament of evidence is weak.

Photo: waldru/Shutterstock

 

By Zazie Todd, PhD

That’s the determination of a novel newspaper yesteryear Sophie Hall et al (University of Lincoln). They searched the literature for studies that investigate the effects of programs inwards which children read to dogs, together with conducted a systematic review of 48 papers.

They write, “The evidence suggests that reading to a Canis familiaris may own got a beneficial number on a number of behavioural processes which contribute to a positive number on the environs inwards which reading is practiced, leading to improved reading performance.”

It sounds really promising: if children read out loud to dogs, they own got a captive together with non-judgemental audience. Such programs are becoming increasingly popular, then it’s of import to know if they actually operate – non to the lowest degree because, equally really cheap programs, it could live a cost-effective means to improve literacy. 

Reading sessions, amongst volunteer dogs together with handlers, own got house inwards schools, libraries, together with other locations.

“I entirely similar to read if I am inwards a skilful mood. I am usually inwards a skilful mood on Saturdays because I own got a adventure to read to Lucky,” is what i 10-year-old told Intermountain Therapy Animals, who own got trained over 3000 canine teams since 1999.

The review highlights several ways inwards which canine reading programs mightiness help. Dogs tin dismiss supply social back upward inwards themselves together with also increment back upward from other people (the social back upward hypothesis). People’s affiliation amongst nature mightiness Pb to increased engagement when reading to a Canis familiaris (the biophilia hypothesis). 

Other mechanisms may include reduced anxiety, increased confidence together with to a greater extent than motivation.

Photo: Soloviova Liudmyla/Shutterstock

The scientists classified the interrogation according to established guidelines (called PRISMA). They were inclusive inwards identifying papers to include, together with much of it was non of skilful quality. Some of the problems they identified were pocket-sized sample sizes, lack of a command group, non plenty data close the children who took business office (e.g. if they are usually developing), failure to role standardized tests to assess reading ability, together with non maxim how long the reading intervention lasted.

So what form of interrogation is needed? The authors tell in that place is a detail bespeak for randomized controlled trials. These are the ‘gold standard’ for knowing if an intervention plant or not. They entirely identified i for their review, which found accuracy together with reading comprehension were amend inwards children who read to a Canis familiaris rather than a teddy deport or adult, or a command grouping that did non read to anyone. 

The finding that reading to dogs appears to live helpful, simply nosotros don’t know what mightiness motility this, is some other argue for to a greater extent than research.

The researchers also highlight the bespeak to own got concern human relationship of private differences betwixt children (some of whom mightiness non similar dogs, live allergic to them or frightened of them), together with to discovery out which immature readers could produce goodness most from such programs.

The amount newspaper is opened upward access via the link below, together with includes a diagram outlining the dissimilar ways reading to dogs may aid children.

If yous are interested inwards volunteering your Canis familiaris for a reading program, several organizations run them, including Reading Education Assistance Dogs (Intermountain Therapy Animals, international), The Bark together with Read Foundation (Kennel Club, UK), Classroom Canines (Delta Society, Australia), together with many others. Dogs should live friendly, upward to appointment amongst vaccinations, able to sit down piece patted yesteryear a stranger, together with own got treats gently. Delta Society has a checklist to run across if your Canis familiaris mightiness live a skilful candidate. 


Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop weblog , where she writes close everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today together with has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, amongst her husband, i dog, together with 2 cats.

Useful links:

• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
• Get merch  
• Support me on Ko-fi
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This page contains affiliate links.

Reference

Hall, S., Gee, N., & Mills, D. (2016). Children Reading to Dogs: H5N1 Systematic Review of the Literature PLOS ONE, 11 (2) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149759

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Children's Experiences Of Domestic Violence In Addition To Fauna Abuse

24% of children whose mothers experience domestic violence also come across threats to or abuse of companion animals, query shows.

Photo: m.sava8/Shutterstock

By Zazie Todd, PhD

Every twelvemonth inward the US, 1 inward xv children is exposed to intimate partner violence, according to a national survey. Research past times Shelby McDonald (Virginia Commonwealth University) et al finds many also witness abuse of pets inward the home, potentially adding to the impacts on their deportment too mental health.

The researchers interviewed children historic stream vii – 12 whose mothers had used domestic violence services inward the past times year. Of 242 children, a quarter had seen someone threaten to or genuinely injure/kill a pet. They analyzed the information from this grouping to discovery out to a greater extent than close the beast abuse these children saw. 

The results demo the patterns of beast abuse that children line every bit happening inward the home, the dissimilar line solid unit of measurement members involved, too the reasons children plow over every bit to why it occurs. For children who witness this, it may move peculiarly traumatic, since pets tin post away move a cast of social back upward during hard times.

Dr. Shelby McDonald told me, “Children experience unopen bonds alongside companion animals too rely on pets every bit a agency of managing stress. In the context of high stress, unpredictable environments such every bit a households experiencing line solid unit of measurement violence, pets may serve every bit security-providing attachment figures, offering comfort, consistency, too back upward to children who are coping alongside adverse environments. 

“In addition, positive interactions alongside pets too caring for pets inward the dwelling line solid may render of import opportunities for children to cook self-esteem, develop empathy, too growth social interactions alongside peers too members of their community. 

“Thus, the presence of a pet inward the dwelling line solid may part every bit a protective element that helps buffer the impact of IPV [intimate partner violence] on the child.  Certainly, the protective impact of having a dear pet inward the dwelling line solid would probable move compromised if the pet were beingness abused inward the context of multidirectional line solid unit of measurement violence.”

The researchers constitute 3 contexts inward which beast abuse occurred. Most commonly, the mother’s partner threatened or wound the pet every bit a agency to frighten too command the mother. For example, ane man child said, “When my mom too I produce non cook clean good or larn upward early, he [dad] gets angry too starts kicking the domestic dog alongside his boot too starts throwing him against the wall fourth dimension too fourth dimension again.” 

Children seemed to recognize this form of deportment was aimed at upsetting their mother, too sometimes themselves too, every bit inward the instance inward a higher identify (‘my mom too I’). For women inward these situations, seeing their kid upset at abuse of the line solid unit of measurement pet may add together to negative feelings too self-blame. 

At other times, violence was used past times the mother, their partner or siblings every bit a agency of punishing the pet for misbehaviour. For example, ane daughter said, “My dad kicked the domestic dog when it tried to seize alongside teeth visitors to my house.” There was a broad range, from pulling the leash also hard to inflicting serious damage. The authors state that since physical penalty is mutual for children inward households alongside domestic violence, it is no surprise to come across it applied to pets. Also, physically punished pets may snuff it aggressive, potentially leading to to a greater extent than harsh treatment. 

This shows children drawing a distinction betwixt perceived penalty (that they powerfulness consider justified) too abuse (that wasn’t justified). This is interesting because at this historic stream children are developing ideas close fairness, too it is believed children’s agreement of interpersonal violence is of import for long-term outcomes.

The 3rd context was siblings abusing the animal, for example, “my picayune blood brother simply got mad too threw the truthful cat downwards the stairs.” Some children said they had sometimes wound their pet too.

78% said they had protected or tried to aid a pet. Sometimes they took preventive activity to snuff it on animals away from their mother’s partner, such every bit putting the pet inward their room. Some children said they direct intervened, e.g. ane man child said, “When my dad was trying to wound my dog, I grabbed my domestic dog too said ‘No, Dad, no.’”

Children’s interventions demo pets are of import to them, but many domestic violence shelters produce non permit pets. The researchers state children may remove aid inward coming to damage alongside non having been able to aid or salvage their pet, too that humane pedagogy programs to learn them how to properly interact alongside animals may also move beneficial.

This of import report shows to a greater extent than query is needed on the effects these experiences accept on children. Further query past times the same squad investigates the risk factors that conduct on how good children grapple alongside witnessing beast abuse.

The sum newspaper is available via the link below or on researchgate.

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop weblog , where she writes close everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today too has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inward 2017. Todd lives inward Maple Ridge, BC, alongside her husband, ane dog, too 2 cats.

Useful links:

• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
• Get merch  
• Support me on Ko-fi
• Visit my Amazon store

This page contains affiliate links.

Reference

McDonald SE, Collins EA, Nicotera N, Hageman TO, Ascione FR, Williams JH, & Graham-Bermann SA (2015). Children's experiences of companion beast maltreatment inward households characterized past times intimate partner violence. Child abuse & neglect, 50, 116-27 PMID: 26520828

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The Effects Of Seeing Animate Beingness Abuse On Children's Mental Health

For children who alive inwards a province of affairs of domestic violence, also witnessing fauna cruelty may negatively impact resilience.

Photo: Halizov S/Shutterstock

By Zazie Todd, PhD

New inquiry past times Shelby McDonald (Virginia Commonwealth University) et al (2016) looks at the effects of seeing fauna abuse on children’s psychological wellness inwards a context where they already witness intimate partner violence. Last calendar week I reported on a study past times McDonald et al (2015) that flora a quarter of children whosemothers sense domestic violence also run across their pet threatened or abused, as well as that most oftentimes the kid says the motivation is to command the mother.

Since pets are oftentimes sources of social back upwards for children, this may last peculiarly traumatic; the effects of this are the focus of the novel study.

Children who are exposed to domestic violence are at gamble of psychological problems, as well as yet some children are surprisingly resilient. One aim of McDonald’s (2016) study was to explore patterns inwards how children constituent when at that spot is a household unit of measurement context of domestic violence. Secondly, they wanted to honour out well-nigh the gamble factors for non doing well, as well as specifically whether beingness exposed to cruelty to pets inwards the domicile worsens children’s mental health.

An ethnically-diverse sample of 291 children aged seven – 12 took part. They were recruited through their mother’s utilisation of domestic violence services inwards i dry reason inwards the US, as well as they all had a household unit of measurement pet at home. On average, the women had been experiencing domestic violence for ix years.

Each woman nurture as well as kid completed questionnaires. The child’s exposure to fauna cruelty was assessed via questions that asked the woman nurture whether her partner had “ever threatened to wound or kill a household unit of measurement pet” as well as if he had “ever genuinely wound or killed a household unit of measurement pet.”

The results flora that children could last grouped into 3 categories depending on how good they were coping: Resilient, Struggling, as well as Severe Maladjustment. Children inwards the grouping with the most problems (Severe Maladjustment) were much to a greater extent than probable to conduct maintain experienced fauna cruelty inwards the home. This shows how of import it is to conduct maintain a ameliorate agreement of how exposure to fauna abuse affects children. 

Dr. Shelby McDonald told me, “we examined 6 domains of adjustment alongside children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV): social problems, attending problems, internalizing behavior, externalizing behavior, empathy, as well as callous/unemotional traits. Our results provided back upwards for 3 distinct profiles of socioemotional performance inwards our sample: Resilient (66%; n=191), Struggling (28%; n=83), as well as Severe Maladjustment (6%; n=17). 

“In the context of human-animal interactions research, the most of import matter to banknote is that children exposed to fauna cruelty were 3.26 times to a greater extent than probable to last inwards the “struggling” grouping as well as 5.72 times to a greater extent than probable to last inwards the “severe problems” grouping compared to the reference grouping of resilient children (however, these estimates must last interpreted with caution due to the large confidence intervals).  

“This finding pertaining to the significance of children’s exposure to fauna cruelty is of import as well as suggests that the identification of fauna maltreatment alongside families receiving IPV services has of import implications for the mental wellness as well as well-being of children. Including questions well-nigh companion animals inwards assessments for families impacted past times IPV may aid distinguish children at greater gamble for psychological maladjustment. 

“Despite the fact that about 68% of households inwards the the States written report owning a companion fauna as well as a notable 85% consider pets to last a fellow member of the family, routine integration of questions well-nigh pets inwards the household unit of measurement are non consistently implemented inwards clinical settings or community agencies that render household unit of measurement services. 

“Questions well-nigh animals inwards the household tin sack last easily integrated into intake as well as assessment procedures inwards a diversity of settings (e.g., kid protective services, schools, mental wellness clinics, crisis hotlines, domestic violence shelters) inwards monastic tell to expand the ecological lens from which practitioners approach working with household unit of measurement systems.”

Although the study does non essay out a causal human relationship betwixt children's experiences of seeing fauna cruelty as well as pitiful mental health, it has of import implications for practice. The sum newspaper is available via the link below or researchgate as well as is essential reading for anyone working inwards this field. 

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop weblog , where she writes well-nigh everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today as well as has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, i dog, as well as 2 cats.

Useful links:

• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
• Get merch  
• Support me on Ko-fi
• Visit my Amazon store

This page contains affiliate links.

Reference McDonald, S., Graham-Bermann, S., Maternick, A., Ascione, F., & Williams, J. (2016). Patterns of Adjustment alongside Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: a Person-Centered Approach Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma DOI: 10.1007/s40653-016-0079-y

You mightiness also like:
What pets create children conduct maintain as well as which create they prefer?
Is caring for animals expert for immature people’s social development?
What is a typical fauna hoarder?

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Canine Stress Inward The Vet's Waiting Room

Almost 30% of dogs are highly stressed inwards the waiting room, only owners don’t necessarily know if their Canis familiaris is stressed or not.

By Zazie Todd, PhD

Some dogs demo signs of stress inwards the waiting room at the vet, according to a written report yesteryear Chiara Mariti (University of Pisa) et al, only at that spot are some surprises inwards the results. 45 good for yous dogs too their owners each came for a scheduled engagement at the vet, where they spent iii minutes inwards the waiting room. The dogs were videoed piece owners completed a questionnaire. Later, a veterinarian behaviourist equally good rated the dogs based on the video.

According to owners, 44% of the dogs experienced ‘low’ stress inwards the waiting room, 27% were at a ‘medium’ level, too 29% were rated equally highly stressed. The behaviourist said 42% had ‘low’ stress, 29% ‘medium’ too 29% ‘high’. It looks similar almost perfect understanding – except they didn’t concord on which dogs were stressed.

And here’s where it gets interesting, because the researchers coded the videos for specific stress behaviours. It turns out the owners noticed overt signals of stress, because when dogs tried to enshroud or to run out the waiting room they were rated equally highly stressed. However, owners manifestly did non notice other signs.

In add-on to these obvious signals, the veterinarian behaviourist equally good rated dogs equally highly stressed if they were trembling, had lowered ears too a depression tail. The VB’s ratings correlated closely alongside the total of fourth dimension the dogs showed stress signals too the set out of signals, only possessor ratings did not. 

You would await a veterinarian behaviourist to give to a greater extent than accurate ratings because of their prior training, only this shows the ask to educate people almost signs of stress inwards dogs. If owners are missing stress at the vet, where they mightiness await their Canis familiaris to endure stressed, they are probable equally good missing it at other times. 

Photo: Aleksandr Junek Imaging s.r.o; top, Monkey Business Images. Both Shutterstock.

When it was fourth dimension to become to the consultation room, some dogs tried to decline yesteryear non moving. The VB had successfully identified many of these dogs equally highly stressed, only possessor ratings were non linked to this behaviour.

The videos showed that to a greater extent than than one-half of the dogs showed at to the lowest degree 4 signs of stress inwards the waiting room. The most mutual were olfactory organ licking, panting, lowered ears, crying, grooming, too yawning. Statistical analysis grouped all the signs into v categories: passive avoidance, active avoidance, high anxiety, high arousal, too medium anxiety.

Another interesting finding is that according to the owners, 58% of dogs knew they were going to the vet earlier they got there.  

During the study, the waiting room was empty except for a mortal operating the video camera. Few of the dogs had previously been hospitalized or had a painful condition, only 76% were said yesteryear the owners to have got some situations when they got stressed.

If your Canis familiaris is afraid at the vet, yous tin comfort them (the thought that yous shouldn’t is a myth). You mightiness equally good similar to have got tasty treats (like chicken or cheese) to the vet alongside you, to assist your pet have got a positive experience. There is equally good a Fear Free vet movement started yesteryear Dr. Marty Becker. 

Does your Canis familiaris discovery vet visits stressful?

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop spider web log , where she writes almost everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She equally good writes a column for Psychology Today too has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, alongside her husband, i dog, too 2 cats.

Useful links:

• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
• Get merch  
• Support me on Ko-fi
• Visit my Amazon store

This page contains affiliate links.

Reference

Mariti, C., Raspanti, E., Zilocchi, M., Carlone, B., & Gazzano, A. (2015). The assessment of Canis familiaris welfare inwards the waiting room of a veterinarian clinic Animal Welfare, 24 (3), 299-305 DOI: 10.7120/09627286.24.3.299

You mightiness equally good like:
Should vets give treats to pets?
Discussion of dogs’ behavioural problems at the vet
The surprising history of veterinarian medicine for dogs too cats

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As an Etsy affiliate, I earn from qualifying Etsy purchases.

Let's Celebrate! Turns 4

It’s fourth dimension to party!

Jaromir Chalabala (Shutterstock.com)

By Zazie Todd, PhD

It is 4 years since I created Companion Animal Psychology. 

I started the weblog inwards monastic nation to explore people’s relationships amongst their pets. One aim is to render evidence-based data on how to aid for in addition to prepare our companion animals. Another is to convey the best scientific inquiry on people in addition to their pets to a wider audience. While at that topographic point are many to a greater extent than splendid studies than I’m able to cover, I honey to write close inquiry that has the potential to brand a departure to creature welfare in addition to to the lives of people who interact amongst pets. 

The most pop post written inwards the terminal twelve months is re-arranging metaphors for dogs, acre my most-read post of all fourth dimension remains whether dogs instruct that Eureka! feeling?, amongst 17.6k shares (and however counting). Other pop articles from the terminal yr include how audiobooks tin aid shelter dogs, six ways to entertain your domestic dog indoors, in addition to make your domestic dog happy: prepare forcefulness free. Cats are non forgotten amongst proof the cyberspace helps truthful cat adoptions in addition to education close cats may cut feline demeanour problems. 

 

I endeavor to reveal every Wednesday, in addition to acre I occasionally accept to missy a calendar week – similar everyone, existent life sometimes gets inwards the agency – this is my 208^th post.

The past times yr has seen Companion Animal Psychology chosen past times Science Borealis equally 1 of the 2015 editor’s picks, in addition to they kindly published an interview amongst me before this year. I also of late graduated amongst honours from the Academy for Dog Trainers. 

I am grateful to all of my readers for the back upwardly in addition to encouragement, in addition to all the likes in addition to shares on social media. As always, if at that topographic point are topics y'all would similar to come across covered, delight experience gratuitous to drib me a note. And why non aid me celebrate past times sharing your favourite post from the terminal 4 years?

Here, it’s fourth dimension for java in addition to cake, in addition to the cats in addition to dogs volition instruct treats too. I promise y'all all accept a marvellous day. Cheers!

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. She is the founder of the pop weblog , where she writes close everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today in addition to has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, amongst her husband, 1 dog, in addition to 2 cats.

Useful links:

• Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
• Get merch  
• Support me on Ko-fi
• Visit my Amazon store

This page contains affiliate links.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As an Etsy affiliate, I earn from qualifying Etsy purchases.

Less Stress At The Vet For Dogs As Well As Cats

Does your domestic dog loathe going to the vet? Does your truthful cat turn down to travel inwards her carrier? Here are some essential tips for amend visits to the vet - less stressful for your pet together with easier for you.

By Zazie Todd, PhD

You stealthily trapped your cat inwards the lounge, but at the showtime sight of the carrier she ran to cover nether the sofa – and she’s non coming out. You displace the sofa together with direct take away hold of her every bit she flees, thus acquire scratched inwards the physical care for of forcing her into the carrier.

Or you’re inwards the waiting room at the vet’s together with your dog keeps getting upwardly together with trying to leave. When y'all are called to the consulting room, he parks his parent halt on the flooring together with refuses to move.

It doesn’t receive got to hold out this way. 

30% of dogs are highly stressed inwards the vet’s waiting room (Mariti et al 2015) together with cats – merely similar people – experience the white coat final result whereby their blood clit per unit of measurement area together with view charge per unit of measurement goes upwardly inwards the presence of the vet (Belew, Barlett & Brown 1999). 24% of cats receive got bitten or scratched their possessor at the vet (Mariti et al 2016). 

It’s no wonder people receive got problem going to the veterinary clinic. 

Here are some cracking resources to aid (and some fun links at the end). One topic you’ll notice running through the list: lots of delicious nutrient that your pet loves, to aid them receive got a positive experience. Don’t hold out stingy: 10 treats a infinitesimal is a cracking charge per unit of measurement of reinforcement to aim for.

Getting to the vet

Some people don’t convey their truthful cat to the vet – or missy appointments together with receive got to rebook – because they can’t acquire the truthful cat into their carrier. Here, 58% of dogs are said to know they are going to the vet earlier they acquire there (Mariti et al 2015). So don’t alone travel for machine rides when you’re going to an appointment; brand certain your domestic dog has fun outings too, to travel for walks or accompany y'all on errands. That way the machine doesn’t predict bad stuff.