A NOTE ON THE INFLUENCE OF VISUAL CONSPECIFIC CONTACT ON THE BEHAVIOROF SHELTERED DOGS

Many institutions which house dogs cage their animals separately in an attempt to reduce the transmission of disease and/or injury. Under su ch conditions, dogs are usually able to receive auditory and olfactory stimulation from other animals. However, many kennels are designed in such a way to prevent visual contact with conspecifics. To date, the influence of visual conspecific contact on the behaviour of sheltered dogs has not been specifically addressed. This research examined the e ffects of visual contact with other dogs on the behaviour of dogs hous ed in a rescue shelter. Four hundred and seven dogs were studied: 212 dogs were housed in cages that allowed for visual contact with dogs in opposite pens; 195 dogs were deprived of visual contact with other do gs by being housed in cages opposite empty pens. The dogs' position in the cage (front, middle, back), activity (moving, standing, sitting, resting, sleeping), and vocalisation (barking, quiet, other) were reco rded over a 4 h period. Dogs which were allowed visual conspecific con tact spent significantly more of their time at the front of the pen ti n a position to see other dogs) than animals denied such contact (87.7 % vs. 24.6%, respectively). Visual canine contact had no effect on dog activity or vocalisation, and it is suggested that tactile contact is necessary before these behaviours are altered, Overall, results indic ate that where dogs have the opportunity to observe others dogs, they take it. Where dogs are housed singly, the provision of visual intrasp ecific contact may help to reduce the under-stimulation commonly assoc iated with single housing. Housing dogs in conditions which encourage the animals to the front of the cage, e.g., constructing pens which fa ce opposite each other, may also help to improve a dog's chances of fi nding a new home by positively promoting visitors' perceptions of dog desirability. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.