Are there differences between behavioral measurement methods? A comparison of the predictive validity of two ratings methods in a working dog program

Wilsson, Erik; Sinn, David L.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2012.08.012

Cited by 74 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The DMA (Wilsson and Sinn, 2012) used in Scandinavia presents a stranger, a dark room, loud metallic noises, an unstable surface, dummies, human "ghosts" and gunfiredall of which are potentially fear-provoking. These stimuli could sensitize dogs during testing, resulting in increased fear behavior on subsequent presentation (Davis, 1974).…”

Section: Presentation Of High-intensity Stimulimentioning

confidence: 99%

Minimizing fear and anxiety in working dogs: A review

Rooney

Clark

Casey

2016

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

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The causes of fear and anxiety in working dogs are multifactorial and may include inherited characteristics that differ between individuals (e.g. Goddard and Beilharz, 1982; 1984a,b), influences of the environment (Lefebvre et al., 2007), and learned experiences during particular sensitive periods (Appleby et al., 2002) and throughout life. Fear-related behavior compromises performance, leads to significant numbers of dogs failing to complete training (e.g., Murphy, 1995;Batt et al., 2008), early withdrawals from working roles (Caron-Lormier et al., 2016), and can jeopardize dog and handler safety. Hence, amelioration of fear and anxiety is critical to maintain dogs in working roles and to ensure their well-being. Although current methods of selection and training are seemingly effective at producing many dogs which work in a remarkable array of environments, some dogs do not make the grade, and longevity of service is not always maximized. Programs should strive for optimal efficiency and they need to continually analyze the value of each component of their program, seek evidence for its value and explore potential evidence-based improvements. Here we discuss scientific evidence for methods and strategies which may be of value in reducing the risk of fear behaviors developing in the working dog population and suggest potentially valuable techniques and future research to explore the benefit of these approaches. The importance of environmental influences, learning opportunities, and effects of underlying temperament on the outward expression of fear and anxiety should not be underestimated. Identification of characteristics which predict resilience to stress are valuable, both to enable careful breeding for these traits and to develop predictive tests for puppies and procured animals. It is vitally important to rear animals in optimal environments and introduce them to a range of stimuli in a positive, controlled, and gradual way, as these can all help minimize the number of dogs which develop workinhibiting fears. Future research should explore innovative methods to best measure the relative resilience of dogs to stressful events. This could include developing optimal exposure protocols to minimize the development of fear and anxiety, and exploring the influence of social learning and the most effective elements of stimulus presentation.

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Section: Presentation Of High-intensity Stimulimentioning

confidence: 99%

Minimizing fear and anxiety in working dogs: A review

Rooney

Clark

Casey

2016

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

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“…However, several researchers have argued that aggregated ratings of multiple observers are reliable and independent of the peculiarities of individual observers (for a review see [31]). in fact, based on psychometric grounds, some researchers have even argued that subjective ratings should be superior to behavioural codings in terms of reliability [30,34]. Additionally, collating information about animals from experienced observers via broad ratings is relatively efficient compared to behavioural codings, which can be very time consuming.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of rating and coding behavioural traits in dogs

Kubinyi¹,

Gosling²,

Miklósi³

2015

Acta Biologica Hungarica

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1 mtA-elte comparative ethology research group, budapest, hungary 2 department of psychology, university of texas, Austin, tX, usA 3 school of psychologial sciences, university of melbourne, parkville, vic 3010, Australia 4 department of ethology, eötvös university, budapest, hungary (received: march 5, 2014; accepted: June 26, 2014) the aim of the present study was to examine the links between independent rating and coding approaches to assessing activity-impulsivity and inattention in dogs. fifty-six adult belgian shepherd dogs were videotaped performing in behavioural tests. seventeen behavioural variables were measured by coders (video coding). raters watched the same videotapes and then rated the activity-impulsivity and inattention of each dog (video rating). Owners filled out the Dog ADHS-RS questionnaire measuring activityimpulsivity and inattention. video rating of activity-impulsivity correlated with the scale scores of the owner, but video codings did not. the results suggest that the owner ratings and video ratings are tapping the same constructs, but behavioural variables assessed in the present study were not appropriate for mirroring the owners' assessments. The findings suggest that if consistent individual differences in broad behavioural traits are the primary focus of analyses, then ratings seem to capture information not easily captured in coding approaches designed to assess the same constructs.

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“…To test random environmental effects for significance (Papers II-III), and to estimate (co)variance components (Papers I-IV) and breeding values (Paper II), the DMU software (Madsen and Jensen, 2010) In Paper II, breeding values accuracies from single-trait within-country genetic evaluations were compared with accuracies for the same individuals from a bivariate across-country genetic evaluation. In a previous study by Wilsson and Sinn (2012), principal component analysis was used on the SAF TT item phenotypes to define five and three composite traits -so-called underlying behavioural dimensions -from each rating method (BR and SR, respectively). In Paper III, these original behavioural dimensions were redefined by excluding items with heritabilities estimated at 0.00, and subsequently by excluding items that did not correlate well genetically to other items within the same dimension.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The judges can be extensively trained for the task (e.g., Ruefenacht et al, 2002;Saetre et al, 2006), persons regarded as skilful and competent but without formal training, or, if a dog owner questionnaire is used, the dog owners (e.g., Liinamo et al, 2007). The measurements can be more or less objective, and the ratings can refer to behaviours displayed in a specific situation or to an overall interpretation indicating the degree of expression of pre-defined traits (Wilsson & Sinn, 2012). These factors, and many more, can be expected to affect the usefulness of the measurements when used in a breeding program.…”

Section: Main Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When Wilsson and Sinn (2012) defined five behavioural dimensions traits based on the BR and three based on the SR, the purpose was to predict training success based on the composite trait scores and environmental factors. To predict the future success of a given dog, it makes sense to use a principal component analysis based on the phenotypic correlations among ratings.…”

Section: Composite Trait Definition Based On Phenotype or On Genotype?mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic evaluation of behaviour in dogs

Arvelius

2015

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

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A dog's behavioural characteristics are important for the dog, for the dog owner and for society as a whole. Behavioural traits can be changed by breeding, but to be effective when selecting breeding animals, good methods for measuring behaviour are essential. The aim of this thesis was to provide information on a number of dog behavioural measurement methods regarding their potential to be used for genetic evaluation: the Herding Trait Characterisation, the Swedish and Norwegian English Setter field trials, the Swedish Armed Forces temperament test, the Dog Mentality Assessment (DMA), and an extended version of the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire. The aim was also to advance our understanding of factors affecting the usefulness of behavioural measurements for breeding purposes.Average heritabilities for behavioural variables (items) within measurement method ranged from 0.1 to 0.3, and the items were markedly influenced by systematic environmental effects. All studied measurement methods can be used for selection of breeding animals, but selection based on individual performance is suboptimal. Using BLUP breeding values would substantially increase accuracy of selection and the potential genetic progress and is therefore recommended. Rough Collie results from DMA showed strong genetic correlations with important everyday life traits as described by dog owners in the questionnaire. Therefore, in order to improve everyday life behaviour in Rough Collie, DMA breeding values for relevant traits should be used for selection.The results indicated that from a heritability perspective, behavioural measurements should be objective rather than subjective, and neutral rather than passing value judgments. Collaboration between countries within breed is also advised because a joint genetic evaluation increases the number of selection candidates, and may also increase breeding value accuracies rather dramatically, as was shown for the English Setter field trial results from Sweden and Norway.For half of the studied methods, the measured items were summarized into composite traits. Heritability estimates for composite traits were higher than the average of the items used for creating these traits. Because the composite traits also can be expected to be more stable over time and between situations, it would be advisable to use them as selection traits. Keywords

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Are there differences between behavioral measurement methods? A comparison of the predictive validity of two ratings methods in a working dog program

Cited by 74 publications

References 39 publications

Minimizing fear and anxiety in working dogs: A review

Minimizing fear and anxiety in working dogs: A review

A comparison of rating and coding behavioural traits in dogs

Genetic evaluation of behaviour in dogs

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