The influence of environmental change on the behaviour of sheltered dogs

The majority of sheltered dogs are overlooked for purchase because they are considered undesirable by potential buyers. Many factors may determine a d og's appeal, although of interest here are the dog's behaviour and cage env ironment which can influence its desirability. People prefer dogs which are at the front rather than the back of the cage, quiet as opposed to barking , and alert rather than non-alert. Potential buyers also prefer dogs which are held in complex as opposed to barren environments. This study examined the behaviour of sheltered dogs in response to environmental change, to det ermine whether it influenced dog behaviour in ways that could be perceived as desirable to potential dog buyers, and/or had any effect upon the incide nce of dogs purchased from the shelter. One hundred and twenty dogs shelter ed by the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were stud ied over a 4-h period. The dogs' position in the cage, vocalisation, and ac tivity were investigated in response to increased human social stimulation, moving the dog's bed to the front of the cage, or suspending a toy from th e front of the dog's cage. Social stimulation resulted in dogs spending mor e time at the front of the enclosure, more time standing, and slightly more time barking. Moving the bed to the front of the cage encouraged dogs to t his position, but did not influence activity or vocalisation. Suspending a toy at the front of the pen exerted no effect on dog behaviour, although it s presence in the pen may help to promote more positive perceptions of dog desirability. The incidence of dogs purchased from the rescue shelter incre ased whenever the dogs' cages were fitted with a bed at the front of the pe n, whenever the dogs were subjected to increased regular human contact, and whenever a toy was placed at the front of the enclosure. Findings highligh t the important role that cage environment can play in shaping the behaviou r of sheltered dogs and influencing whether or not an animal will become pu rchased. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.