Study of Behavioural Traits in Can de Palleiro (Galician Shepherd Dog)

The Can de Palleiro (CP) is an autochthonous canine breed from Galicia (NW Spain). Interestingly, no previous research has been published about the behaviour of this breed. Thus, the aim of the present study was to obtain a deeper understanding of CP behavioural and temperamental traits and detect any potentially problematic behaviour by using the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) and the Socially Acceptable Behaviour (SAB) test. Behavioural information was obtained from 377 dogs—177 CPs and 200 general population (GP) dogs—using the C-BARQ. Additionally, 32 dogs were enrolled to perform the SAB test (19 CPs and 13 GP dogs) in order to directly evaluate their temperament. Our results indicated that CP dogs had a lower tendency to show aggressiveness towards their owners (0.18 times lower, p = 0.033) and less fear of other dogs (by 0.43 times, p = 0.001), as well as higher trainability levels (2.56 times higher, p < 0.001) when compared to GP dogs. CP dogs also had increased odds of showing chasing behaviour (3.81 times higher, p < 0.001). Conversely, CPs had reduced odds of non-social fear, separation-related problems and excitability (by 0.42, 0.35 and 0.48 times, respectively; p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.002). The current research represents a starting point for the study of the behaviour of CPs, which appear to be a working breed, with guarding and, especially, herding characteristics.

Raising mentally and emotionally healthy pets.

This describes the preweaning influences on puppies and kittens and the implications for a new pet owner selecting a dog or cat, the advice which the veterinary profession can give to minimize the risk of problem development in dogs and cats through appropriate early life experiences, some critical aspects of behavioural first aid and how we can intervene early when an owner reports problematic behaviour.

Raising mentally and emotionally healthy pets.

This describes the preweaning influences on puppies and kittens and the implications for a new pet owner selecting a dog or cat, the advice which the veterinary profession can give to minimize the risk of problem development in dogs and cats through appropriate early life experiences, some critical aspects of behavioural first aid and how we can intervene early when an owner reports problematic behaviour.

The Occurrence of Problematic Behaviour in the School Environment

Nowadays, aggression and bullying are serious societal problems present in all types and level of schools. It is an extremely complicated system that can be examined from many different angles. This is a dangerous social-pathological effect where personal freedom is severely restricted, it is degrading human dignity, and often harming the victims' health or property. For these reasons, we decided to focus our attention on the issues of manifestations of aggression and the possibilities of its elimination.

Equine behavioural first aid

It is common for equines to become difficult to handle during procedures, veterinary or otherwise, as a direct result of handling during the procedure and as a consequence of poor mood state derived from inappropriate housing; these lead to pessimistic behavioural responses, which will include proactive defensive behaviour. Since poor equine behaviour is a common cause of injury to veterinary personnel, and not all equine owners and handlers have sufficient levels of competence to cope with dangerous equine behaviour, both the veterinary practice and the client are likely to benefit from veterinary personnel trained and competent in behavioural first aid. Behavioural first aid can prevent problematic behaviour from escalating, protect human safety and improve equine welfare.

Sexual deviances

Mental disorder is a significant behavioural or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual and is associated with distress, impairment in functioning, or increased risk of suffering, death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom. It is a manifestation of a behavioural, psychological, or biological dysfunction in the individual. Socio-environmental factors can lead to an intellectually deficient individual to a deviant sexuality. Individuals with intellectual disabilities have problematic behaviour including, aggressive behaviour towards others and destructive acts. Some problematic behaviour includes a sexual component. Keywords: sexual deviances, mental disorder.