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

Using Treats: Bribe or Bonus?

In this post from Psychology Today’s Decoding Your Pet series, Dr. Karen Sueda reviews the differences between treats when...

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If The Cat Fits, It Tells Us What They See

If The Cat Fits, It Tells Us What They See Click here for original post By Zazie Todd, PhD....

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Scaredy Dogs and Strangers – Part 1

Scaredy Dogs and Strangers – Part 1 By Dr. Jen Summerfield Click for original post Today, I want to...

Risk Analysis of Behavior Problems: Overview Part 1

In this post from Psychology Today’s Decoding your Pet series, Dr. Melissa Bain introduces a series she will be...

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Three ways that management can help you with your pet

Three ways that management can help you with your pet By Zazie Todd, PhD Click here for original post...

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...

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WHY “SIT” HAPPENS: CUES VS. CONSEQUENCES

WHY “SIT” HAPPENS: CUES VS. CONSEQUENCES Click Here for Original Post By Dr. Jen Summerfield Today’s topic is one...

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Dogs, But Not Pigs, Look to People for Help with a Problem

By Zazie Todd, PhD Click here for original Post Every dog owner has probably had a situation where their...

Using Treats: Bribe or Bonus?

If The Cat Fits, It Tells Us What They See

Scaredy Dogs and Strangers – Part 1

Risk Analysis of Behavior Problems: Overview Part 1

Three ways that management can help you with your pet

WHY “SIT” HAPPENS: CUES VS. CONSEQUENCES

Dogs, But Not Pigs, Look to People for Help with a Problem

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

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