Social test for dogs as an auxiliary tool in dog shelters and animal clinics

摘要

The aim of the study was to elaborate and verify a social test for adult dogs, taking into account training and maintenance. In total, 157 dogs (male and female) aged from I to 4 years were studied. All dogs came from breeds registered in the Polish Kennel Club. Two groups were selected: 1) trained dogs which passed the utility (IPO) or obedience (PT - after Polish regulations) exam and 2) untrained dogs. Dogs were divided into two maintenance groups: house-maintained dogs and kennel dogs. In the Department of Pet Breeding and Wildlife Management of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin a social test for adult dogs has been developed. The test is based on American temperament tests and Polish psychic tests performed on chosen dog breeds. The test consists of seven trials which estimate if the dog behaves safely to strangers and known people in daily situations. In the present study trained dogs obtained the highest results (p <= 0.01) in comparison to untrained dogs. Dogs in house maintenance also obtained better results (p <= 0.05) than kennel dogs, which had limited contact with their owners. The social test can be used as an auxiliary took for veterinarians in order to assess dogs' psyche during medical examinations and advise dog owners on the control of bad dog behaviour, in animal hotels, where the preliminary assessment of dogs' behaviour can help avoid problems with the animals, and in dog shelters or animal clinics which offer dogs for adoption.