The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of postnatal manipulations on the future behaviour of dogs, especially those relative to the emotional sphere. For this purpose, 37 puppies were gently manipulated from third to twenty first day of age. When they were 2-months-old, they underwent an isolation and an arena test. Comparing the behaviours of manipulated and non-manipulated puppies, it was observed that manipulated puppies spent more time in explorative activity (120 ± 33 s vs 64 ± 31 s; p<0.01) and they uttered the first yelp later (66 ± 43 s vs 33 ± 63 s; p<0.05) than control puppies in the isolation test. These results suggest that manipulated puppies could be more calm and emotionally less excitable. A gentle manipulation could influence dog behaviour development and make the puppy more able to cope new situations.
Effects of postnatal handling on the ontogenesis of canine behaviour RID E-4786-2010
SIGHIERI, CLAUDIO;MARTELLI, FRANCO;Baragli R;DUCCI, MICHELE;GAZZANO, ANGELO
2006-01-01
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of postnatal manipulations on the future behaviour of dogs, especially those relative to the emotional sphere. For this purpose, 37 puppies were gently manipulated from third to twenty first day of age. When they were 2-months-old, they underwent an isolation and an arena test. Comparing the behaviours of manipulated and non-manipulated puppies, it was observed that manipulated puppies spent more time in explorative activity (120 ± 33 s vs 64 ± 31 s; p<0.01) and they uttered the first yelp later (66 ± 43 s vs 33 ± 63 s; p<0.05) than control puppies in the isolation test. These results suggest that manipulated puppies could be more calm and emotionally less excitable. A gentle manipulation could influence dog behaviour development and make the puppy more able to cope new situations.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
