Is It Possible to Mitigate Fear of Fireworks in Dogs? A Study on the Behavioural and Physiological Effects of a Psychoactive Supplement.

Canine fear of fireworks is a common problem worldwide, with serious implications for the welfare of both dogs and their owners. Therapies for the problem are available, and herbal and nutraceutical agents are increasingly suggested by professionals; nonetheless, studies on their real efficacy in reducing firework fear are lacking. In a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 44 dogs (25 in the "supplement" group and 19 in the "placebo" group) completed a long-term continuous treatment with either a supplement made of tryptophan, valerian, and passiflora or a placebo, including two real exposures to fireworks (on 2020 Christmas and 2021 New Years' Eve, after 42 and 48 days of treatment, respectively).

Can Dogs' Origins and Interactions with Humans Affect Their Accomplishments? A Study on the Responses of Shelter and Companion Dogs during Vocal Cue Training.

The inclusion of life history as a possible influential factor is pivotal in studies on behavior, welfare, and cognition. Shelter dogs have usually experienced a life involving poor social interactions with humans. Thus, we aimed to investigate the behavioral responses of shelter dogs (SDs) and companion dogs (CDs) during the training of two vocal cues ("sit", "paw"), as well as the possible associations between their responses and the behaviors of trainers.

Assessment of emotional predisposition in dogs using PANAS (Positive and Negative Activation Scale) and associated relationships in a sample of dogs from Brazil.

The English version of the Positive and Negative Activation Scale (PANAS) is a useful tool for the assessment of dog temperament, helping to identify highly sensitive individuals that could be at risk of developing fears, phobias and anxiety problems, and potentially depressive states. This study evaluated the association between dogs' and owners' characteristics and dog temperament in Brazil. To accomplish this, we adapted and validated a Portuguese language version of PANAS for dogs.