scholarly journals Homozygosity for Mobile Element Insertions Associated with WBSCR17 Could Predict Success in Assistance Dog Training Programs

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Dhriti Tandon ◽  
Kyra Ressler ◽  
Daniel Petticord ◽  
Andrea Papa ◽  
Juliana Jiranek ◽  
...  

Assistance dog training programs can see as many as 60% of their trainees dismissed. Many training programs utilize behavioral assays prior to admittance to identify likely successful candidates, yet such assays can be insconsistent. Recently, four canine retrotransposon mobile element insertions (MEIs) in or near genes WBSCR17 (Cfa6.6 and Cfa6.7), GTF2I (Cfa6.66) and POM121 (Cfa6.83) were identified in domestic dogs and gray wolves. Variations in these MEIs were significantly associated with a heightened propensity to initiate prolonged social contact or hypersociability. Using our dataset of 837 dogs, 228 of which had paired survey-based behavioral data, we discovered that one of the insertions in WBSCR17 is the most important predictor of dog sociable behaviors related to human proximity, measured by the Canine Behavioral Assessment Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ©). We found a positive correlation between insertions at Cfa6.6 and dog separation distress in the form of restlessness when about to be left alone by the owner. Lastly, assistance dogs showed significant heterozygosity deficiency at locus Cfa6.6 and higher frequency of insertions at Cfa6.6 and Cfa6.7. We suggest that training programs could utilize this genetic survey to screen for MEIs at WBSCR17 to identify dogs with sociable traits compatible with successful assistance dog performance.

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Alvarez ◽  
Rick Yount ◽  
Melissa Puckett ◽  
Caroline Wyman ◽  
Caitlin McLean ◽  
...  

Animals ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Hunt ◽  
Helen Whiteside ◽  
Susanne Prankel

Environmental enrichment (EE) can be used to enhance the environment of various animals. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effects of seven EE activities (Bonding, Bubble machine, Conspecific play, Interactive toy, Playhouse, Stuffed food toy and Tug play) on dog behaviour, pre- and post-EE for dogs housed in an office environment during training as part of an assistance dog training programme. EE activities resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of relaxation behaviours (p < 0.01) and a significant reduction in alert (p < 0.01) and stress behaviours (p = 0.02). Results suggest various benefits of the different activities with Conspecific Play and Playhouse activities having the greatest overall positive behaviour change when compared to the other activities. The food-based EE activities (Interactive toy and Stuffed food toy) had the least behaviour change of all the activities provided. Findings will be of interest to pet owners, animal rescue centres, dog trainers and working dog organisations.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Dac Mai ◽  
Tiffani Howell ◽  
Pree Benton ◽  
Pauleen C. Bennett

Assistance dog puppies live with their raisers for up to 16 months before entering advanced training and, hopefully, becoming qualified to help people with a disability. Almost half of the puppies fail to meet the behavioural standards required for assistance dogs, and some puppy raisers produce more behaviourally favourable puppies than others. It is unclear what factors influence puppy-raising practice quality. To understand this, we interviewed 17 participants, including experienced puppy raisers (n = 8), provider organisation staff (n = 4), and those who have served both as puppy raisers and staff (n = 5). Results of a thematic analysis suggest three groups of influencing factors, namely intrapersonal factors, social support, and puppy characteristics. Intrapersonal factors such as expectations, competency, perseverance and passion were reported to influence puppy raisers’ experiences, puppy-raising quality, and continuity of service. Contextual factors such as availability of social support (informational and emotional supports) and less-demanding puppies both led to positive puppy-raising experiences, while the former also contributed to puppy raisers’ perceptions of competency. Future research should quantitatively examine the interrelationships of these factors concerning puppies’ behavioural development. Meanwhile, organisations could consider these factors when developing their recruitment and puppy-raiser support programs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Whitworth ◽  
Diane Scotland-Coogan ◽  
Tracy Wharton

1998 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Coppinger ◽  
Lorna Coppinger ◽  
Ellen Skillings
Keyword(s):  

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald N. Schultz ◽  
Kenneth W. Jonas ◽  
Lesa H. Skuldt ◽  
Adrian P. Wydeven

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document