Physiological reactions to fear provocation in dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Behavior Science
• Canine Ethology
• Animal Physiology

Background:

• Fear is a prevalent behavioral issue in domestic dogs, impacting their welfare.
• Understanding the physiological underpinnings of fear is crucial for effective intervention.
• Collie breeds exhibit specific fear responses that warrant detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between behavioral and physiological responses in collies exposed to fear-eliciting stimuli.
• To determine if physiological parameters can differentiate fearful from non-fearful collie dogs regarding floor and gunshot phobias.
• To analyze changes in heart rate and specific hormone concentrations during fear-inducing tests.

Main Methods:

• Studied 13 privately owned male collie dogs under controlled floor and gunshot tests.
• Monitored heart rate, hematocrit, and plasma concentrations of cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, vasopressin, and beta-endorphins.
• Categorized dogs into fearful and fearless groups based on responses to floor and gunshot stimuli.

Main Results:

• Dogs fearful of floors exhibited higher heart rates during the floor test.
• Dogs fearful of gunshots showed elevated heart rates, hematocrit, cortisol, progesterone, vasopressin, and beta-endorphins during the gunshot test.
• Plasma cortisol and progesterone significantly increased in gunshot-fearful dogs during the test.

Conclusions:

• Fear of gunshots in dogs is a significant stressor that can be objectively measured using physiological variables.
• Distinct physiological profiles differentiate fearful from non-fearful collie dogs.
• This research provides a basis for objective assessment of fear and stress in canine behavioral studies.