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.

What ’s Important in Canine-Assisted Intervention Teams? An Investigation of Canine-Assisted Intervention Program Online Screening Tools
The purpose of this study was to conduct an investigation of online information and criteria for potential canine-assisted intervention (CAI) teams to better understand current standards set by CAI programs. The field of animal-assisted interventions is burgeoning with CAI programs having moved beyond canine intervention teams visiting clients in a hospital setting to teams providing support to a range of clients in a variety of settings. In response to this surge in popularity of CAI programs, there is a need to better understand how both handlers and canines are deemed suitable for CAI work. (Source: Journal of Veterinar...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - October 9, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Elizabeth Kjellstrand Hartwig, John-Tyler Binfet Source Type: research

Inter-Observer Agreement And Sensitivity To Climatic Conditions In Sheltered Dogs ’ Welfare Evaluation Performed With Welfare Assessment Protocol (Shelter Quality Protocol)
The Shelter Quality Protocol (SQP) is a concise and easily implemented tool for assessing dog welfare and to identify critical aspects of the shelter environment. A first version of the protocol has been modified in order to improve its performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the measures included in the second version of the protocol (SQP2) by testing the inter-observer agreement between two independent assessors. We evaluated the sensitivity of animal-based measures in detecting the shelter dogs ’ welfare outputs during two different seasons. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinic...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - October 6, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Greta Veronica Berteselli, Laura Arena, Luca Candeloro, Paolo Dalla Villa, Fabrizio De Massis Source Type: research

What is a dog bite?: Perceptions of UK dog bite victims
Dog bites are frequently reported in the media, hospital and other official data, and scientific literature. But what exactly constitutes a dog bite? The majority of dog bites reported through hospital admissions are likely to result in a relatively severe injury, but many more dog bites go unreported. Dog bites are rarely defined, and little research has investigated what people mean by ‘dog bite’, especially in light of frequently used language such as “nip” and “play bite”. A better understanding of common definitions of dog bites are necessary if they are to be studied effectively. (Source: Journal of Veter...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - September 20, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: James Andrew Oxley, Rob Christley, Carri Westgarth Source Type: research

Abnormal behavior and the self-regulation of motivational state
Although most abnormal behavior, including all stereotypies, indicate poor welfare, some that occurs in rare situations is functional and does not indicate a negative situation. There is a wide range of abnormal behaviors that occur in conditions where the animal ’s needs are not met and these can be valuable welfare indicators but should never be called ‘vices’. Some behaviors, both normal and abnormal, can be used as motivation-modifying methods. They affect subsequent behavior and physiology, including feelings and emotions. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - September 7, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Donald M. Broom Source Type: research

Behavioral, demographic and management influences on equine responses to negative reinforcement
In this study, data were obtained from horses (n=96) training to step backwards through a corridor in response to bit pressure. Following training, learning ability was determined by the latency to step backwards through the corridor when handled on the left and right reins. Additionally, horse owners were questioned about each horse ’s management, training, behavior and signalment (such as horse breed, age and sex). (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - September 5, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Kate Fenner, Rafael Freire, Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy Source Type: research

In Memoriam
We are sad to announce that Dr. Moises Heiblum died suddenly and unexpectedly in August 2018, shortly before this issue went to press. Moises had been a much valued member of the Editorial Board since the Journal's inception. Unerringly kind, smart, curious,  considerate and generous, Moises touched everyone–his colleagues, his clients, his students and his family–with his ready laugh, keen wit and genuine interest in people, animals, medicine and science. All who spent time with Moises and his wonderful wife, Rosa, knew what a gracious and enthusi astic host he was. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical A...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - September 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Karen L. Overall Source Type: research

Animals tell us how they get information, what matters to them and what disturbs them: We simply need listen
In the past 15  years large amounts of attention have been paid to how dogs respond to human signaling, and whether such skills may be the result of domestication. These questions are premature in the absence of studies that establish the extent of variation in responses to species signals across canine populatio ns. Bryant et al. (2018) asked whether working and pet dogs use verbal cues in the same way and with the same responses. One would expect that working dogs of any kind, who collaborate with humans, should use human signals well. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - September 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Karen L. Overall Tags: Editorial 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 - September 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Physiological and behavioral response of sows fed with different levels of dietary fiber during gestation
Efficiency is not the only goal in animal production. Nowadays, consumers are very concerned about animal welfare and can decide their preferences based on this aspect. The present study evaluated the effect of variation in the amount of total dietary fiber (TDF) in sow diets, provided from 74 to 102  days of gestation, on the physiological and behavioral responses of the sows. Thirty-three sows were used in a randomized experimental design. The amounts of TDF in 3 treatment diets were 15.6%, 22.3%, and 28.2%. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 28, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Carlos Alexandre Oelke, Mari Lourdes Bernardi, Paula Raymundo Nunes, Nelson Cristiano Weber, Fernando C ézar Veit, Andrea Machado Leal Ribeiro Tags: Porcine Research Source Type: research

Physiological and behavioural response of sows fed with different levels of dietary fiber during gestation
Efficiency is not the only goal in animal production. Now-a-days consumers are very concerned about animal welfare and can decide their preferences based on this aspect. The present study evaluated the effect of variation in the amount of total dietary fiber (TDF) in sow diets, provided from 74 to 102 days of gestation, on the physiological and behavioural responses of the sows. Thirty-three sows were used in a randomized experimental design. The amounts of TDF in three treatment diets were 15.6, 22.3, and 28.2%. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 28, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Carlos Alexandre Oelke, Mari Lourdes Bernardi, Paula Raymundo Nunes, Nelson Cristiano Weber, Fernando C ézar Veit, Andrea Machado Leal Ribeiro Source Type: research

Preliminary Data Showing Potential for Salivary C-Reactive Protein as an Indicator of Welfare in Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of several hundred proteins involved in the acute phase response of the innate immune system. Functions of CRP include marking foreign organisms for complement or phagocytosis and regulating cytokine production (Murata et al., 2004; Cray et al., 2009). Concentrations of CRP rise dramatically following physical trauma in variety of species (equids, suids, Murata et al., 2004; rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta, Krogh et al., 2014; domestic dogs, Christensen et al., 2015). (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 27, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Grace Fuller, Stephanie Allard Source Type: research

Daily rhythmicity of behavioral responses in donkeys of different age groups during the cold-dry (harmattan) and hot-dry season in a tropical savannah
The aim of the study was to evaluate the daily rhythms of behavioral activities of adult, yearling and foal donkeys during the cold-dry (harmattan) and hot-dry seasons in a tropical savannah. Thirty, clinically, healthy free-ranging donkeys, divided into three groups of 10 donkeys each according to their age, served as experimental subjects. Behavioral activities of donkeys were monitored bi-hourly from 06:00 to 06:00 h (GMT +1) during the cold-dry and hot-dry seasons. Application of single cosinor procedure showed that behavioral activities exhibited varying levels of daily rhythmicity in both seasons. (Source: Journal of...
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 22, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Friday Ocheja ZAKARI, Joseph Olusegun AYO, Peter Ibrahim REKWOT, Muhammed Umar KAWU, Ndazo Salka MINKA, Folashade OLAIFA, Mohammed Jimoh IBRAHIM, Daniel Onimisi AVAZI Source Type: research

Handler training improves decontamination of working canines with oil-based exposure in field conditions using disposable kits
The objective of our work was to investigate the impact of handler training on the reduction of oil-based contaminants in working canines. Canine teams (n = 10) were randomly assigned to either TRAINED or UNTRAINED groups. Each team (handler and dog) in the TRAINED group received 30-minutes of interactive training using an illustrated guide on proper utilization of equipment provided. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 11, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Ellie B. Powell, Gary A. Apgar, Eileen K. Jenkins, Stephen Y. Liang, Erin B. Perry Source Type: research

Identification of fear behaviors shown by puppies in response to nonsocial stimuli
Understanding fear behavior in puppies is important for dog welfare, prevention of behavioral issues, and ensuring research assessments are accurate. Further research is necessary to determine which specific behaviors puppies show when they are fearful and whether these behaviors are similar to those seen in older dogs. We assessed which puppy behaviors are associated with mild- to- moderate fear in the presence of social and nonsocial stimuli. However, no puppies showed fear responses toward social stimuli, so only results for nonsocial stimuli are presented. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 7, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Hannah E. Flint, Jason B. Coe, James A. Serpell, David L. Pearl, Lee Niel Tags: Canine Research Source Type: research

Identification of fear behaviors shown by puppies in response to non-social stimuli
Understanding fear behavior in puppies is important for dog welfare, prevention of behavioral issues and ensuring research assessments are accurate. Further research is necessary to determine which specific behaviors puppies show when they are fearful, and whether these behaviors are similar to those seen in older dogs. We assessed which puppy behaviors are associated with mild to moderate fear in the presence of social and non-social stimuli. However, no puppies showed fear responses towards social stimuli, so only results for non-social stimuli are presented. (Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research)
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - August 7, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Hannah E. Flint, Jason B. Coe, James A. Serpell, David L. Pearl, Lee Niel Source Type: research