Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Body size influences urinary posture but not hindlimb laterality in shelter dogs
Motor laterality is the preferential use of structures on one side of the body. Although domestic dogs are commonly used in laterality research, few studies have examined hindlimb motor tasks and no study, to our knowledge, has examined the effects of body size on measures of laterality. First, we observed 659 dogs during walks at two animal shelters to assess likelihood of raising a hindlimb during urination in relation to body size, age class (juvenile, adult, and senior), reproductive status (intact versus spayed or neutered), shelter, and time spent at shelters; males and females were analyzed separately and we exclude...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 12, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Betty McGuire, William Gough Source Type: research

Comparison of positive reinforcement training in cats: a pilot study
Positive reinforcement training with cats is a useful tool for improving the human animal bond, treating behavior problems and teaching novel tasks. In part one of this study, three cats were assessed for extinction to a conditioned stimulus, in part two of the study we attempted to train nine cats to nose touch a target using one of three positive reinforcement methods. The three positive reinforcement methods included training the novel task by using a primary reinforcer, a bridging stimulus and a secondary reinforcer. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 9, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Erin K. Willson, Rachael B. Stratton, Charlotte F. Bolwell, Kevin J. Stafford Source Type: research

An evaluation of current working canine decontamination procedures and methods for improvement
The objective of this study was to prospectively compare the effectiveness of a standard decontamination protocol utilized in real-world working scenarios by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urban search and rescue teams (Protocol A) vs. a modified protocol (Protocol B) developed from technician feedback. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 3, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Erin Venable, Dakota Discepolo, Ellie Powell, Stephen Y. Liang Tags: Canine research Source Type: research

An evaluation of current working canine decontamination procedures and methods for improvement.
Working canines are frequently deployed into contaminated environments as part of search, rescue, and recovery operations (Fox et al., 2008, Otto et al., 2010, Slensky et al., 2004). (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 3, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: E. Venable, D. Discepolo, E. Powell, S. Liang Source Type: research

Measuring social synchrony and stress in the handler-dog dyad during animal-assisted activities: A pilot study
Synchrony —the coordination of behavior between interacting partners—is a complex phenomenon requiring the perception and integration of multimodal communicative signals. Originally conceptualized by developmental psychologists to study the human-human relationship, it could also apply to cross-species in teractions. Here, we examined synchrony patterns as a potentially important mechanism to evaluate human-dog interactions during animal-assisted activities. Four dog handler-dog dyads were videotaped before (T0), during (T1), and after (T2) 45-minute sessions of animal-assisted activities and coded f or the following s...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 1, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Federica Pirrone, Alessandra Ripamonti, Elena C. Garoni, Sabrina Stradiotti, Mariangela Albertini Tags: Canine research Source Type: research

Measuring Social Synchrony And Stress In The Handler-Dog Dyad During Animal Assisted Activities: A Pilot Study
Synchrony – the coordination of behavior between interacting partners – is a complex phenomenon requiring the perception and integration of multimodal communicative signals. Originally conceptualized by developmental psychologists to study the human-human relationship, it could also apply to cross-species interactions. Here we examined synchrony patterns as a potentially important mechanism to evaluate human-dog interactions during animal assisted activities (AAA). Four dog handler-dog dyads were videotaped before (T0), during (T1) and after (T2) 45-minute sessions of AAA and coded for the following synchrony patterns:...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 1, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Federica Pirrone, Alessandra Ripamonti, Elena C. Garoni, Sabrina Stradiotti, Mariangela Albertini Source Type: research

Assessing the influence of upper lip twitching in naive horses during an aversive husbandry procedure (ear clipping)
When engaging in procedures that horses may find aversive, restraint methods are often used to help ensure safety of both horse and handler. Twitching is a common restraint method, but its use is sometimes considered controversial. Based on previous work, there is evidence supporting the concept of the twitch acting more nearly like acupuncture. Our aim was to compare behaviors, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and ease/time of completing procedure when naive horses were ear clipped with or without a twitch. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Ahmed B.A. Ali, Katelyn L. Gutwein, Camie R. Heleski Tags: Equine research Source Type: research

Despite their best efforts, pet lizard owners in Victoria, Australia, are not fully compliant with lizard care guidelines and may not meet all lizard welfare needs
Owner practices affect pet welfare, and little is known about the ways in which reptile owners attempt to meet their pet ’s welfare needs. We asked 316 pet lizard owners in Victoria, Australia, for information on the ways in which they seek to meet their pet’s environmental, dietary, behavioral, social, and health needs. Items were generated based on the Victorian Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Reptil es, and in collaboration with the then-President of the Victorian Herpetological Society. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tiffani J. Howell, Pauleen C. Bennett Source Type: research

Consistency in behavior: Evaluation of behavior tests in laboratory beagles
In the present report, we analyzed the consistency in the behavior of laboratory dogs in 4 standardized tests (an encounter test with a familiar caretaker, an encounter test with an unfamiliar test person, a simulation of experimental manipulation and a complex behavior test) that were conducted on 2 consecutive days. We further analyzed whether the dogs ’ behavior in the subsequent tests could be predicted by the preceding tests. Data of 90 laboratory beagles kept in 4 research facilities were reevaluated for this purpose by using Kruskal’s gamma, Spearman’s rank correlation and simple linear regression. (Source: Jo...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Dorothea D öring, Barbara E. Haberland, Alexander Bauer, Britta Dobenecker, Rüdiger Hack, Jörg Schmidt, Michael H. Erhard Source Type: research

Assessing the influence of upper lip twitching in na ïve horses during an aversive husbandry procedure (ear clipping)
When engaging in procedures that horses may find aversive, restraint methods are often employed to help ensure safety of both horse and handler. Twitching is a common restraint method, but its use is sometimes considered controversial. Based on previous work there is evidence supporting the concept of the twitch acting more nearly like acupuncture. Our aim was to compare behaviors, heart rate (HR), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and ease/time of completing procedure when na ïve horses were ear clipped with or without a twitch. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 28, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Ahmed B.A. Ali, Katelyn L. Gutwein, Camie R. Heleski Source Type: research

The effect of needle-free administration of local anesthetic on the behavior and physiology of castrated pigs
The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate the stress caused by administering local anesthetic (LA) using a needle-free injection system and 2) evaluate if there are any benefits of administering LA immediately prior to castration on post-operative pain. At 3 days of age, piglets were allocated to one of four treatment groups. Treatments included: 1) sham castration (CON); 2) surgical castration (CAS); 3) castration plus LA administered immediately prior to castration using a conventional needle and syringe (NED) and 4) castration plus LA administered immediately prior to castration using a needle-free injection syst...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 19, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Mhairi A. Sutherland, Brittany L. Backus, Tiffanie A. Brooks, John J. McGlone Source Type: research

Causal factors of oral versus locomotor stereotypy in the horse
Stereotypic behaviors are commonly observed in domestic equids as they are in a range of captive nondomesticated species. Estimates suggest that 19.5%-32.5% of horses perform a stereotypy. The presence of these behaviors is thought to indicate suboptimal welfare status and can result in secondary physical pathologies, such as colic, ligament strain, and incisor wear. Relatively little is understood about the etiologies of oral and locomotor stereotypies. Seemingly disparate causal factors have been proposed, including gastric pathology, neural adaptation, and genetic predisposition. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior:...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 1, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Kirsty Roberts, Andrew J. Hemmings, Sebastian D. McBride, Matthew O. Parker Tags: Special Section on Stereotypic Behavior Source Type: research

Keepers' rating of emotions in captive big cats, and their use in determining responses to different types of enrichment
Effective identification of emotional states in captive big cats by keepers is important for them to be able to reduce the risks of abnormal behavior by providing appropriate enrichment strategies. In an initial study, 29 emotional states in each of 4 cheetahs were rated daily by 5 keepers. Three emotional state domains were identified, apparently associated with “nervousness,” “adventurousness,” and “aggression.” Keepers then rated each cheetah on these domains daily for a mean of 18 days. Consistent differences in scores between keepers and between cheetahs were identified, with “aggression” being the le...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 1, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Clive J.C. Phillips, Andrew Tribe, Allan Lisle, Talia K. Galloway, Kathryn Hansen Tags: Special Section on Stereotypic Behavior Source Type: research

Editorial Board/Table of Contents
(Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 1, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Measuring distress –what can we learn from stereotypies?
This issue features a new approach to topics - a mini virtual symposium on stereotypic behavior in horses and exotic animals. Organized by Linda Greening and Jane Williams, the invited authors present updated information on the most commonly observed stereotypies. Williams and Randle (2017) take a novel approach to understanding what a stereotypical behavior (STB) means to the horses affected by it by asking what effect it has on performance. Individuals exhibiting STB often also have impaired performance which affects their purchase price, both factors that suggest that the presence of STB indicates that something is wron...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - July 1, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Karen L. Overall Tags: Editorial Source Type: research