In the most recent issue of Australian Veterinary Journal, a group from the University of Queensland’s Center for Animal Welfare and Ethics did a study on their hypothesis that “City-living domestic dogs may be more prone to nuisance barking”. There study consisted of 150 dogs, (72 dogs of which came from owners who had there dogs go for nuisance barking treatments.) the results seem to show that the most likely dogs that became nuisance barkers were young dogs that were from herding breeds. They used the example of collies in the article.
Co-author of the report, Clive Phillips said, “The survey showed the greatest risk factor was the age of the dog. More than a quarter of those dogs that had been classified as nuisance barkers were less than a year old.” From this results these scientist began to thing about what other aspects could influence young dogs to become barkers. In the article Phillips says, “Barking may be caused by separation anxiety, perceived threats in the environment and sometimes to simple social interaction, canine-style. But human actions and responses also play a role.”
What the team concluded was that dogs are very loyal to their owners; this increases the likely hood of their theory of separation anxiety, also the researchers were surprised to find out that dogs bred at home were more prone to be nuisance barkers.
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/10/16/barking-dogs-city.html
Question:
I notice she barks and chases cars more frequently. Was there anything mentioned in the report that draws a correlation between limited exercise (outside activities) and nuisance dogs?
Emerson Martin
Answer:
There was nothing mention in the article connecting outside activates and nuisance dogs. This article was mostly about trying to understand why City house hold dogs were considered more of a nuisance.
Question:
Would more exposure to other dogs help throughout their life so they are not as anxious in their presence throughout their life?
Answer:
This also wasn’t talked about much in the article, however it was talked about if the parent of the dog was still active in the life though the puppy’s adulthood, then statistically there was less anxiety.
Question:
Do you know if wolves or other "feral dogs" participate in nuisance barking, or is this strictly a quality of domestic dogs?
Answer:
I am sure there are studies out there regarding wolfs or “feral dogs”, however this study was only evolving domestic dogs.
-Stephen Chiricosta
It's interesting that the dogs most prone to be barkers are herding dogs. My dog (a Border Collie) sometimes barks and chases cars and moving objects such as bicycles or even runners,(I know not so fun) I think that this behavior is mainly instinctual. I haven't done any scientific research in this but when she is left inside the house for a long period of time, and not able to run outside, I notice she barks and chases cars more frequently. Was there anything mentioned in the report that draws a correlation between limited exercise( outside activities) and nuisance dogs?
ReplyDeleteEmerson Martin
I would have never thought that barking would be associated with separation anxiety! Do the authors recommend any tips about how to prevent your dog from nuisance barking? I know that you can obviously train them not to bark, but can you train them during their development-since the behavior during their first year is the most important? Would more exposure to other dogs help throughout their life so they are not as anxious in their presence throughout their life?
ReplyDeletePosted by Christine Rega
This article is interesting because I also have a Border Collie and he NEVER barks. He is inside for most of the day because I'm at school and he doesn't bark at anything. I joke with my friends that he doesn't know how to bark... Did the article say whether the nuisance barkers received any formal training before they went in for behavioral consults. I think that dogs that have had some obedience training would not have this barking problem. It is very interesting. Good job!
ReplyDeleteLast post by Sara Ku.
ReplyDeleteThis article is really interesting, all of us have experiences with dogs and its interesting to find out more about how they communicate. Do you know if wolves, or other "feral dogs" participate in nuisance barking, or is this strictly a quality of domestic dogs?
ReplyDeletePosted by Heather Gore