Inappropriate behavior of potential guide dogs for the blind and coping behavior of human raisers

Inappropriate behaviors of potential guide dogs (puppies) for the blind and coping behaviors of their adult female raisers (puppy walkers: PWs) were v ideotaped in their play situation at home from when the puppies were 2-11 o r 12 months of age. The frequency of inappropriate behavior decreased with an increase in the puppies' age, suggesting that human-dog relationships be came friendlier. The PWs tended to use moderate coping behaviors to stop th e inappropriate behaviors of the puppies. Rejecting interaction with the pu ppies was effective for stopping the puppies From biting the PWs. Forcible stopping was effective for stopping the puppies from damaging objects. Not responding to the puppies was effective for stopping the puppies from bitin g the PWs, barking/growling and damaging objects. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights: reserved.