Canine Stress and Stereotypic Behaviours

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Stress might be one of the most common reasons for abnormal behaviour and lack of welfare among dogs. This course addresses the topic of stress all from the very smallest hormon particle in the dogs body to the highly harmful stereotypic behaviours that they can perform. After going through the mental and physiological consequences of stress in dogs, the course tie it all together with the issue of human impact on stress in dogs, what we can do and how to do it.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

When completed this course you..
..know what happens in the dogs’ body during stress
..know how to recognise both obvious and subtile stress behaviours
..can identify which scale of stress your dog is experiencing
..know when and how you as dog owner can have a positive impact on stress in your dog

PRINTABLE WORKBOOK INCLUDED!

CERTIFICATION

Students with passing grade of 75% in final exam will access a personal printable certificate of achievement.

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References used in this course:

Beerda, B., Schilder, M.B.H., van Hooff, J.A.R.A.M., de Vries, H.W. & Mol, J.A. (2000). Behavioural and Hormonal Indicators of Enduring Environmental Stress in Dogs. Animal Welfare, 9, 49-62.

Clubb, R. & Vickery, S. (2006). Locomotory Stereotypies in Carnivores: Does Pacing Stem from Hunting, Ranging or Frustrated Escape? In G. Mason (Ed.), Stereotypic Animal Behaviour, Fundamentals and Applications to Welfare (2nd ed.) (pp. 58-85). CAB International.

Denham, H., Bradshaw, J. & Rooney, N. (2014). Repetitive behaviour in kennelled domestic dog: Stereotypical or not? Physiology and Behavior, 128, 288-294 doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.01.007

Gaines, S.A. (2008)  Kennelled dog welfare – effects of housing and husbandry; PhD, University of Bristol.

Hubrecht, R., Wickens, S. & Kirkwood, J. (2017). The welfare of dogs in human care. In: J. Serpell (Ed.), The Domestic Dog – Its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions with People (2nd ed.) (pp. 271-299). Cambridge University Press.

Jensen, P. (2007). Mechanisms and Function in Dog Behaviour. In: P. Jensen (Ed.), The Behavioural Biology of Dogs (pp. 61-75). CAB International.

Keeling, L. & Jensen, P. (2017). Abnormal Behaviour, Stress and Welfare. In P. Jensen (Ed.), The Ethology of Domestic Animals, an Introductory Text (3rd ed.) (pp. 119-134).  CAB International.

Manning, A. & Stamp Dawkins, M. (2012).  An Introduction to Animal Behaviour (6th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Mariti, C., Gazzano, A., Moore, J. L., Baragli, P., Chelli, L. & Sighieri, C. (2012). Perception of dogs’ stress by their owners. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 7, 213-219.

Mason, G.J. & Latham N.R. (2004). Can’t stop, won’t stop: is stereotypy a reliable animal welfare indicator? Animal Welfare, 13, 57-69. 

Miklósi, A. (2007). Dog behaviour, evolution and cognition. Cambridge University Press.

Mormède, P et al. (2007). Exploration of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function as a tool to evaluate animal welfare. Physiology and Behavior, 92, 317-399.

Rugaas, T. (2006). On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals (2nd ed.). Dogwise Publishing: Wenatchee. 

Svartberg, K. (2006). Breed-typical behaviour in dogs – Historical remnants or recent constructs? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 96, 293-313.