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Training Reduces Stress in Human-Socialised Wolves to the Same Degree as in Dogs
Angélica da Silva Vasconcellos1,2,3, Zsófia Virányi3,4, Friederike Range3,4
1Program of Post-Graduation in Vertebrate Biology, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Plos One
|September 10, 2016
Summary
Animal training sessions, involving positive interactions with human caretakers, significantly reduce stress in both wolves and dogs. This practice can be a powerful tool for enhancing the welfare of captive wild animals.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior and welfare science
- Comparative psychology
- Veterinary sciences
Background:
- Captive wild animals experience stress due to lack of environmental control and unavoidable human contact.
- Human interaction can paradoxically improve the welfare of wild animals in captivity.
- Animal training is increasingly used for handling and behavioral enrichment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral and physiological effects of training on wild animals.
- To compare the effects of training on wolves (Canis lupus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris).
- To assess the role of caretaker interaction in animal welfare during training.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated behavioral responses (cooperation, stress) and physiological stress (salivary cortisol) during indoor training sessions.
- Compared nine human-socialized wolves with nine dogs under identical conditions.
- Collected trainer saliva samples to measure stress hormones (GC, testosterone).
Main Results:
- Wolves and dogs voluntarily stayed close to trainers and performed requested behaviors, indicating task concentration.
- Salivary cortisol levels decreased in both wolves and dogs during training sessions.
- Variations in animal responses and cortisol reduction across trainers suggest a social component to the relaxing effect of training.
Conclusions:
- Training sessions with familiar caretakers can reduce stress and improve welfare in captive wolves and dogs.
- The positive effects of training are likely due to structured, positive human interactions and a sense of control, rather than solely learning.
- Training offers a promising method for enhancing the welfare of social canids in captivity.
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