Separation related behaviours and physiological measurements in dogs.

Abstract

Separation anxiety in dogs seem to be a common in The Netherlands. Dogs with separation anxiety show separation related behaviours (SRB), such as destruction and exuberant vocalisation when separated from their owner. Separation related problems represent a significant welfare problem in dogs and may also cause a diminished dog welfare.

This study represents a 3-month research project as a veterinary student during wich 12 dogs were observed under standard conditions. A literature based screening questionnaire was used to classify dogs with and without severe SRB symptoms. The location of the study was a consultation room of the UU veterinary clinic.

During the tests heart rate was measured continuously by a non-invasive Polar® heart rate monitor situated on the dogs´ thorax. The test procedure consisted of three five-minute phases. The owner was together with his/her dog during both the table and reunion phases. During the seperation phase the dog was left alone in the consultation room by the owner. The dogs were recorded on film during the procedure with three different cameras. The dogs behaviour were scored post-observational from the recorded videos. Also three saliva samples were collected from each dog for analysing salivary cortisol representing a basal home sample, a table phase sample and a separation phase sample.

For statistical analyses, the results of this study were combined with a previous study performed with the same methodology in the same environment. The final total sample size was 36 dogs: 24 SRB and 12 non-SRB.

In SRB dogs the mean heart rate was significantly different between the table phases, separation phases and reunion phases. SRB dogs, had significantly higher mean HR during the separation from the owner compared to the reunion phase. Moreover, SRB dogs showed signifcinalty higher mean heart rate during both the separation and reunion phase compared to non-SRB dogs. SRB dogs had also significantly higher salivary cortisol levels in the post-separation samples compared to the basal home samples.

Overall, the results of this study suggest that separation related behavioural problems should not be classified as an ‘all or none’ phenomenon, but instead the severity of SRB should be measured on a gradual scale based on the intensity of behavioural responses exhibited during the separation phase.