Shelter dog behavior after adoption: Using the C-BARQ to track dog behavior changes through the first six months after adoption.

Despite millions of dogs entering and exiting shelters annually, little is known about dog behavior long-term after adoption. Entering a shelter is stressful for dogs which may inhibit or exaggerate behavior. There is a common public sentiment that dogs have a "honeymoon period" after adoption where dogs do not show their full repertoire of behaviors, both positive and negative, until getting more comfortable in their new home.

Genetic testing of dogs predicts problem behaviors in clinical and nonclinical samples.

Background: Very little is known about the etiology of personality and psychiatric disorders. Because the core neurobiology of many such traits is evolutionarily conserved, dogs present a powerful model. We previously reported genome scans of breed averages of ten traits related to fear, anxiety, aggression and social behavior in multiple cohorts of pedigree dogs.

Effects of a four-week group class created for dogs at least eight years of age on the development and progression of signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Objective: To assess the effects of a 4-week group class specifically created for dogs ≥ 8 years old (senior dogs) on the development and progression of signs consistent with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS).

Animals: 86 dogs with or without signs of CDS at the time of study enrollment.

Procedures: Dog owners completed a proprietary CDS survey at baseline and then 3, 6, and 12 months after completion of the baseline survey.

Evaluation of companion animal behavior knowledge among first-year veterinary students before and after an introductory animal behavior course.

Objective: To survey first-year veterinary students' knowledge of companion animal (dog, cat, and horse) behavior and popular-culture (ie, pop-culture) behavior myths related to animal body language, motivations, and learning prior to participation in an introductory animal behavior course; evaluate potential associations between sources of prior behavior knowledge and knowledge on the preclass survey; and determine whether postclass scores on the same survey were predictive of final examination score for the behavior class.

Sample: 156 first-year veterinary students.

Procedures: Students were invited to participate in an anonymous electronic survey before and after a semester-long, 2-credit introductory animal behavior course.

Characteristics of intrahousehold interdog aggression and dog and pair factors associated with a poor outcome.

Objective: To describe characteristics of intrahousehold interdog aggression (IDA) and dog and pair factors associated with a poor outcome (permanent separation, rehoming, or euthanasia of dogs).

Animals: 305 pairs of dogs (610 dogs) with IDA.

Procedures: The record database of a referral veterinary behavioral clinic was searched to identify pairs of dogs that were evaluated for IDA (IDA pairs) between September 2007 and September 2016.

Escape rates and biting histories of dogs confined to their owner's property through the use of various containment methods.

OBJECTIVE To determine escape rates for dogs confined to their owner's property by various containment methods and determine whether biting history was associated with containment method. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE 974 owners of 1,053 dogs.

Effects of trazodone on behavioral signs of stress in hospitalized dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of trazodone treatment on behavioral signs of stress in hospitalized dogs. DESIGN Prospective observational study. ANIMALS 120 client-owned dogs.

The pet-friendly veterinary practice: a guide for practitioners.

Low-stress handling is important for the safety of the veterinary staff and for the welfare of the patient. The commitment to ensuring the emotional well-being of the patient should be equal to that shown toward the physical well-being of the animals under a veterinarian's care. Before handling animals it is essential to assess the environment and the patient's response to it.

Effects of environmental enrichment on the behavior of shelter dogs.

Objective: To determine the effect of food-toy enrichment combined with cage-behavior training on desirable behaviors in shelter dogs and adoption rates.

Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Animals: 107 dogs.

Use of and satisfaction of pet owners with a clinical behavior service in a companion animal specialty referral practice.

Objective: To determine whether availability of a veterinary behavior service aids in the recruitment of clients to a referral practice who may not have chosen to visit a referral practice otherwise and to assess the priorities and satisfaction of first-time clients.

Design: Prospective survey study.

Sample: 87 questionnaires completed by pet owners.

Environmental enrichment for indoor cats: implementing enrichment.

In a previous article, we described our approach to implementation of effective environmental enrichment, which begins with the diagnosis of environmental features to determine how well they meet the behavior and welfare needs of indoor-housed cats. We formulate this diagnosis based on a pertinent history and physical evaluation. A pertinent history allows us to identify features of the cat and environment that may precipitate or contribute to observed behavioral and physical problems.

Advances in understanding and treatment of feline inappropriate elimination.

Feline inappropriate elimination is the number one behavioral reason for relinquishment of cats to shelters and has historically been the most commonly reported feline problem addressed by behavior professionals. Veterinarians are hence challenged to uncover the underlying motivation for this behavior so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and an effective treatment plan implemented. Before a behavioral diagnosis can be made, underlying medical disease must be addressed, making a comprehensive physical evaluation imperative.

Environmental enrichment for indoor cats.

Recommendations to cat owners to house their cats indoors confer the responsibility to provide conditions that ensure good health and welfare. Cats maintain their natural behaviors, such as scratching, chewing, and elimination, while living indoors, and they may develop health and behavior problems when deprived of appropriate environmental outlets for these behaviors. This article divides the environment into five basic "systems" to enable identification of features that may benefit from improvement.

Health and behavior problems in dogs and cats one week and one month after adoption from animal shelters.

Objective: To characterize health and behavior problems in dogs and cats 1 week and 1 month after adoption from animal shelters and identify factors associated with the likelihood that owners of adopted animals would visit a veterinarian.

Design: Cross-sectional study. Sample Population-2,766 (1 week) and 2,545 (1 month) individuals who had adopted an animal from a shelter.

Retrospective evaluation of the effects of diazepam in dogs with anxiety-related behavior problems.

Objective: To characterize the effects of diazepam in dogs with behavior problems and to determine whether adverse effects were of sufficient concern to owners to prompt drug discontinuation.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Sample Population: 37 dogs and their owners.

Effects of preadoption counseling for owners on house-training success among dogs acquired from shelters.

Objective: To determine the effect of preadoption counseling for owners on house-training success among dogs acquired from shelters.

Design: Prospective study.

Sample Population: 113 dog owners.