A review of maternal behaviour in dogs and potential areas for further research

Santos, N.R.; Beck, Alexandra; Fontbonne, Alain

doi:10.1111/jsap.13085

Cited by 27 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Therefore, adequate maternal care during the neonatal period is essential. Canine maternal behaviour has been recently reviewed, 3 but there are important factors that are still unclear. For instance, the impact of the average time to the first suckling on neonate survival has not been addressed 4 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of dog‐appeasing pheromone on canine maternal behaviour during the peripartum and neonatal periods

et al. 2020

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BackgroundParturition and the initial postpartum period are important moments in the reproductive cycle of dogs.MethodsA study assessed the effect of ADAPTIL, a dog-appeasing pheromone, on maternal behaviour during peripartum. Bitches were continuously exposed to ADAPTIL (n=20) or placebo (n=21) in double-blinded conditions from an average of about seven days before parturition up to 21 days postpartum. Differences in maternal behaviour in relation to the treatment were evaluated by the observation of specific activities through video recordings, such as the time spent by the bitch in close contact with the puppies, oronasal interaction and nursing duration and position. Videos were recorded at four time points (W0: within the first 48 hours of whelping; W1: one week after parturition; W2: two weeks after parturition; and W3: three weeks after parturition). In addition, the perception of breeders in relation to the quality of maternal care, puppies’ wellbeing and overall relationship between the bitches and the puppies was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale at the same time points. Moreover, the daily activity of the bitches was measured by using an electronic device (FitBark dog activity trackers, Kansas City, Missouri).ResultsFor all observed maternal behaviours, there was a steady decrease in levels as the puppies developed, independently of treatment. However, bitches exposed to ADAPTIL tended to nurse significantly more in lying position, while those exposed to the placebo nursed more in a seated position, especially at W1 (P=0.06) and W3 (P=0.005). According to the breeders, the attention scores of bitches towards puppies were significantly higher in ADAPTIL than in the placebo group at each time point (P=0.01). Moreover, a difference according to parity was observed (P=0.004), with greater attention score displayed by primiparous bitches exposed to ADAPTIL compared with placebo on W0 (P=0.02), W1 and W3 (P<0.001). The global mother–puppies relationship was also perceived as significantly better (P=0.0002) by breeders of bitches exposed to ADAPTIL, with significant differences at W2 (P=0.01) and W3 (P=0.001). The bitches’ daily activity increased starting two days before the whelp, peaked during parturition and then gradually declined up until four days postpartum. There was a trend towards a difference in the activity level according to the treatment during the full study period (P=0.09) and at two days before parturition (P=0.07). Bitches exposed to ADAPTIL were more active compared with placebo in relation to the FitBark data.ConclusionThe use of ADAPTIL in maternity modulated maternal behaviours. Concerning the caregiver’s view, bitches under the influence of ADAPTIL had greater and extended attention towards the puppies and they were eager to stay with the puppies for a longer time.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of dog‐appeasing pheromone on canine maternal behaviour during the peripartum and neonatal periods

et al. 2020

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“…Other than this, selecting a single breed and the consequent homogeneous litter size, together with similar parity, allowed an additional reduction of the possible variables in HPA axis activation. The choice of enrolling only female dogs of second and third parity was based on the hypothesized possible influence of the maternal experience in HPA axis activation, as reported for maternal behavior [6]. The exclusive inclusion of female dogs scheduled for ELCS, in addition, concurred to reduce the other possible variables related to the effects of different types of delivery on HPA axis activation, as previously observed [49].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonetheless, like what happens in horse husbandry, the selection of breeding female dogs is not based on the actual reproductive aptitude but, more often, on their show performances and genetic value. Due to the important role of maternal aptitude in puppies rearing, a more accurate selection of breeding female dogs could ameliorate the quality of dog breeding [6], contributing to limit the still too-high percentages of perinatal mortality [7] and conveying more ethical dog breeding. Still, today, it is not uncommon to observe disturbed behavior in periparturient female dogs, possible aggressiveness towards the newborns or even cannibalism, often accompanied by insufficient grooming or nursing of the puppies, thus impairing the successful outcome of litters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Still, today, it is not uncommon to observe disturbed behavior in periparturient female dogs, possible aggressiveness towards the newborns or even cannibalism, often accompanied by insufficient grooming or nursing of the puppies, thus impairing the successful outcome of litters. Among the diverse causes underlying these troubles, environmental factors, genetics, parity and number of the newborns in a litter were suggested [1,4,6]. Other than that, the role of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPA axis) in shaping maternal behavior was presumed in sheep [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How Stressful Is Maternity? Study about Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate Coat and Claws Concentrations in Female Dogs from Mating to 60 Days Post-Partum

Fusi

Peric

Probo

et al. 2021

Animals

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In dogs, the phase from mating to the end of weaning lasts about 120 days and encompasses many aspects that, interacting, contribute to increase the allostatic load. The coat and claws, useful for long-term change assessments, have the advantage of being collectable without invasiveness. In the present study, the Cortisol (C) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) concentration monthly changes in the coat and claws were studied in female dogs from mating to the end of weaning to assess Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis activation during pregnancy and the post-partum period. The results from 15 Dobermann Pinscher female dogs showed a trend of increase of the coat C from mating to 60 days post-partum, with significant changes between mating and parturition-60 days post-partum (p < 0.01) and between the 30-day pregnancy diagnosis (PD) and 30–60 days post-partum (p < 0.05). The claws C trend showed significant increases between mating and 30–60 days post-partum (p < 0.05) and between the PD and 60 days post-partum (p < 0.01). DHEA-S in both matrices showed non-significant changes. The results suggest that maternity could play a pivotal role in the HPA axis activation, with a subsequent chronic secretion of C determining an increase in the allostatic load in the mothers. Neither maternal parity nor litter size played a significant role in the accumulation of C and DHEA-S in both matrices.

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“…For maternal behaviours, the focus was the dam and the interactions with her puppies. The variables measured were based on the list of maternal behaviours described in the literature [1,2,14,32,33]. Some are positive (expected maternal behaviours) such as body contact or nursing.…”

Section: Maternal and Puppy Behavioursmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of ADAPTIL® during the Weaning Period: A Double-Blinded Randomised Clinical Trial

Santos

Beck

Maenhoudt

et al. 2020

Animals

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ADAPTIL®, a dog-appeasing pheromone, was shown to modify the dam–puppies’ interactions during the neonatal period but could also influence the weaning period. Fourteen bitch/litter dyads continuously exposed to ADAPTIL® from the third/fourth weeks until the seventh/eighth weeks postpartum were compared to 11 dyads exposed to a placebo. Maternal and puppy behaviours were video-recorded, and at three time points (weeks three/four, weeks five/six and weeks seven/eight) after parturition. The well-being of the puppies and the overall relationship with the bitch were assessed using visual analogue scales (VAS) completed by the caregivers. All mothering behaviours, such as time of contact, licking and the amount of time dedicated to nursing puppies, decreased gradually from weeks three/four to weeks seven/eight. A switch in nursing position was observed over time: the use of the standing position increased compared to the lying position. The treatment had an effect on the nursing position: bitches in the ADAPTIL® group nursed more often in a lying (p = 0.007) or sitting position (p = 0.037), whereas for the placebo group, they favoured the standing position (p = 0.011). Once the puppies became more demanding for suckling, the bitches started showing rejection signs or aggressive growling, with a peak at weeks seven/eight. The pheromone seemed to reduce the intensity of avoidance in bitches exposed to ADAPTIL® at all time points. The score of all events combined as a sign of frustration showed a difference over the full period (p = 0.003), with the placebo group having a significantly higher score. From the caregiver perspective (through the VAS), under ADAPTIL®, the bitches were calmer when puppies tried to suckle (p = 0.001), more tolerant towards pups (p = 0.025), showed a greater motherly attitude (p = 0.016), the puppies cried less when left alone (p < 0.001) and interactions amongst pups were more harmonious (p = 0.055). Under ADAPTIL®, the bitches were less annoyed by the puppies, who seemed to cope better with frustration. The breeders perceived a benefit of the pheromone during the weaning period.

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A review of maternal behaviour in dogs and potential areas for further research

Cited by 27 publications

References 67 publications

Influence of dog‐appeasing pheromone on canine maternal behaviour during the peripartum and neonatal periods

Influence of dog‐appeasing pheromone on canine maternal behaviour during the peripartum and neonatal periods

How Stressful Is Maternity? Study about Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate Coat and Claws Concentrations in Female Dogs from Mating to 60 Days Post-Partum

Influence of ADAPTIL® during the Weaning Period: A Double-Blinded Randomised Clinical Trial

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