Development and Validation of a Psychometric Tool forAssessing Impulsivity in the Domestic Dog ( Canis familiaris)

Abstract

Wells and remaining participants who wished to remain anonymous. We would also like to thank all of the dog owners who filled out the 'Dog Personality Questionnaire'.

Comparison of behavioural tendencies between “dangerous dogs” and other domestic dog breeds – Evolutionary context and practical implications

“…Further, the non‐legislated Border Collie scored significantly higher than a legislated breed in 5 comparisons, and significantly higher than other non‐legislated breeds in 7 comparisons (see Figures S10–S13 for Cohen's d effect sizes). Interestingly, the primary involvement of the Belgian Malinois and Border Collie in significant Aggression Threshold and Response to Novelty comparisons was not mirrored for Behavioural Regulation , which represents a narrower assessment of impulsivity with features of high physiological arousal (Wright et al, 2011 ). For Behavioural Regulation , the Beagle was significantly higher in 9 comparisons, the Belgian Malinois only significantly higher in 1 comparison (vs Miniature Schnauzer), and the Border Collie only significantly higher in 3 comparisons (vs Golden Retriever, Labrador, and Miniature Schnauzer).…”

“…Data were gathered via owner report using an online survey combining demographic information with the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (Wright et al, 2011 ) and the Positive and Negative Activation Scale (Sheppard & Mills, 2002 ). The website link was advertised online (via Facebook and relevant dog/breed specific groups, Twitter, pet fora, via the UK Kennel Club including their Bio‐acquisition Research Collaboration page, and the Dog Science Group website).…”

“…Values are summed and the total divided by five times the number of scored items to give an Overall Questionnaire Score (OQS) value between 0.2 and 1. The DIAS is composed of three factors: “Behavioural Regulation”, “Aggression Threshold and Response to Novelty” and “Responsiveness” (Wright et al, 2011 ). The scores for these factors were calculated from items that load on these factors according to Fadel et al ( 2016 ).…”

“…The Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS) (Wright et al, 2011 ) and the Positive and Negative Activation Scale (PANAS) (Sheppard & Mills, 2002 ) are two validated instruments of particular relevance for the assessment of behavioural tendencies associated with aggression. Impulsivity is an aspect of executive control that relates to the ability to inhibit behaviour in the presence of salient cues, and thus the ability to control behaviour using a range of cognitive processes.…”

“…ability to predict aggression from lower level threats and take appropriate steps to prevent a bite). The DIAS is composed of three factors (Wright et al, 2011 ), one of which (“Aggression Threshold and Response to Novelty”) describes a specific behavioural tendency that may be directly relevant to the risk of dog attacks, reflecting a relationship between low aggression threshold and a negative evaluation of novel situations (Wright et al, 2011 ). Sensitivity to the affective quality of stimuli may be more broadly relevant to the risk of a bite, since individuals that are more aversive to potentially negative stimulus qualities (beyond those associated with the uncertainty of a novel situation), may be expected to become defensive more readily.…”