Behaviour

Canine separation-related problems. Part 5: what if enhancing a sense of safety does not work?

Many initiating factors for separation-related problems have little to do with the intensity of the human–dog bond. Being alone is an unnatural state for a social species such as a dog; yet, for the...

Reptile husbandry: the basics

Often, when people think about reptiles, they imagine a vivarium (commonly referred to as ‘viv’ for short). This has historically been a wooden enclosure, varying in size, with a glass front and vents...

Noise-related fear in dogs

Emotions are relatively short-term affective states typically occurring in situations involving (potential) rewards or punishers (Rolls, 2005). They are complex phenomena and are accompanied by...

Canine separation-related problems: Part 4: first steps in resolving owner absent problems

Studies have found that 22–55% of the domestic dog population display behaviours that are problematic for their owners during owner absence (Bradshaw et al, 2002; Mills and Mills, 2003; Marques Soares...

Noise reactivity and firework fear in dogs

Genetic mutations occur in different parts of the genome all the time, and cause genetic differences between individuals, populations and species. Some mutations may be beneficial and provide a...

Canine separation-related problems: part 3: identifying the emotional component

Hyper-attachment is no longer described in literature about human separation; instead, such literature focuses on different forms of attachment (Ainsworth, 1979), focusing less on specific ‘disorders’...

Separation-related problems part 2: owner absence, learning and pain

Not only can owner behaviour (such as inappropriate introductions to separation or inadequate preparation of dogs to experience a sense of safety whilst alone) predispose dogs towards...

Canine separation–related problem behaviours – part 1: social living and owner absence

Sociality and social connectedness are considered to be adaptive (McMillan, 2016), bringing benefits such as safety, parental care, improved food acquisition and mate procurement. For social species,...

Cooperative care for companion dogs: emotional health and wellness

Dogs are important members of a unique interspecies relationship that involves a care and concern that permeates species boundaries. However, the various interactions that humans have with companion...

Dog friendly clinics: helping pets have a positive experience

There are four key touch points that veterinary teams have with owners and/or their dog during the veterinary clinic journey – pre-appointment, reception and waiting area, consultation,...

Decoding puppy behaviour

We all know this look, the heart-warming glance from a puppy when they soften their eyes and squint at you. While most of us rightly interpret this as a dog enjoying a particular activity (or wanting...

Canine stress in the veterinary environment

Owners play an important role in preparing their dog for the veterinary visit (Reimer et al, 2021)..