Megan Maxwell, Author at The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - Page 10 of 22

Blog Articles

Research Paper Summary: Behavioral Assessment of Child-Directed Canine Aggression

A brief report titled Behavioral Assessment of Child-Directed Canine Aggression by Reisner, Shofer, and Nance (2007) provides some demographic data...

The Teachable Cat

In this excerpt from her pet behavior column, Dr. Megan Maxwell discusses the role that positive reinforcement can play in...

Your Dog Can’t Be In Pain As He Runs and Plays? Think Again!

In this blog from Psychology Today's Decoding your Pet series, Dr. Emily Levine discusses the relationship between pain and behavior....

Website Recommendation: ASPCA.org

To disseminate reliable, accurate general pet behavior information, the ASPCA's pet care page serves as a valuable resource. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care

Abstract: Evaluation of plasma cortisol levels and behavior in dogs wearing bark control collars

Steiss, J.E., Schaffer, C., Ahmad, H.A., & Voith, V. L. (2007). Evaluation of plasma cortisol levels and behavior in dogs wearing...

Abstract: Effects of surgical and chemical sterilization on the behavior of free-roaming male dogs

A recent study by E. Garde, G.E. Pérez, R Vanderstichel, P.F. Dalla Villa, and J.A. Serpell and published in November...

A recent study by E. Garde, G.E. Pérez, R Vanderstichel, P.F. Dalla Villa, and J.A. Serpell and published in November 2015 in Preventive Veterinary Medicine, furthers our understanding of the behavioral effects of sterilization. The study's abstract is presented here. Population management of free-roaming domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) is of interest due to the threat these animals pose to people, other animals and the environment. Current sterilization procedures for male dogs include surgical and chemical methods. However, little is known about how these procedures affect their behavior. The primary objective of this study was to investigate changes in selected behaviors following chemical and surgical sterilization in a male free-roaming dog (FRD) population in southern Chile. We also examined the association between serum testosterone levels and behaviors thought to be influenced by circulating androgens. A total of 174 dogs were randomly assigned to either a surgical or chemical sterilization group, or a control group. At the onset of the intervention period, 119 dogs remained and 102 dogs successfully completed the study. Each dog was monitored pre- and post-intervention using video recordings, GPS collars, and blood samples for the measurement of testosterone. Analysis of behavior revealed that surgically castrated dogs showed no reduction of sexual activity or aggression when compared to their pre-intervention behavior. Chemically sterilized dogs showed a statistically significant increase in dog-directed aggression, but no change in sexual activity. There was no change in home range size in any groups between the pre- and post-intervention measurement. We found no consistent association between levels of serum testosterone concentration and behavioral changes in any of the groups. This study presents the first detailed behavioral observations following surgical and chemical sterilization in male FRDs. The information generated is highly relevant to communities struggling with the control of FRDs. Complementary studies to further our understanding of the effects of male sterilization on the behavioral and reproductive dynamics of FRD populations are needed.

In this excerpt from her pet behavior advice column, Dr. Megan Maxwell encourages pet owners to find opportunities to reward...