Effect of a stimulating environment during the socialization period on the performance of adult police working dogs

Lopes, Bruno Filipe Morais; Alves, J. C.; Santos, Ana Maria Ribeiro dos; Pereira, Goncalo Da Graça

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2015.01.002

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Decreasing kennel stress and better preparing working animals from a very young age to cope with stress is warranted and may help reduce this problem. Preparing future working dogs for predictable challenges from a very young age has recently been a topic of interest [ 21 , 22 ]. It may set the stage for study work analysing its effect on this type of diarrhoea.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of soluble fibre for the management of chronic idiopathic large-bowel diarrhoea in police working dogs

Alves

Santos²,

Jorge³

et al. 2021

BMC Vet Res

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Background Chronic intermittent or persistent diarrhoea is a common condition in dogs and may be a reflex of gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal disorders. Besides diarrhoea, many athletes experience other gastrointestinal symptoms. Dietary fiber can help normalize colonic motility and transit time, support normal gastrointestinal microflora growth and provide fuel for colonocytes. This study aimed to evaluate dietary supplementation effectiveness with psyllium husk in police working dogs with chronic large-bowel diarrhoea. Twenty-two animals were selected. Concurrent conditions were ruled out through complete blood count and serum biochemistry. Fecal Clostridium and Salmonella were also screened. A soluble fiber, psyllium husk, was added to the diet at the dose of 4 tablespoons/day for 1 month. A daily log of fecal characteristics (type, frequency, and color) was maintained during the supplementation month and for an additional month, without supplementation. Results Response to treatment was classified as “very good” in 50% of animals, “good” in 40% of animals, and “poor” in 10% of cases. During the month of psyllium husk supplementation, defecation frequency decreased from 3.5 to 2.9 times a day, with 90% of animals showing consistent stools regularly and registering a mean increase of 2 kg in body weight. Beneficial effects were still observed during the second month, without psyllium husk supplementation. Conclusion Psyllium husk can be useful in the management of chronic large-bowel diarrhoea in working dogs, which exhibited lower defecation frequency, improved stool consistency, and gained weight. Effects were felt beyond the supplementation period. Alternative approaches for non-responsive cases need to be evaluated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of soluble fibre for the management of chronic idiopathic large-bowel diarrhoea in police working dogs

Alves

Santos²,

Jorge³

et al. 2021

BMC Vet Res

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“…They should however train their dog to better resist stressful situations. Indeed, repeated exposure to stressful stimuli increase nerve strength [ 63 , 69 , 79 ]. However, dogs with a high food or play drive may have a higher nerve strength, since they are likely to keep focused on their target to receive their reward as soon as possible.…”

Section: Selection Of Human Remains Detection Dogsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cadaver Dogs and the Deathly Hallows—A Survey and Literature Review on Selection and Training Procedure

Martin

Diederich

Verheggen

2020

Animals

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Human remains detection dogs (HRDDs) are powerful police assets to locate a corpse. However, the methods used to select and train them are as diverse as the number of countries with such a canine brigade. First, a survey sent to human remains searching brigades (Ncountries = 10; NBrigades = 16; NHandlers = 50; Nquestions = 9), to collect their working habits confirmed the lack of optimized selection and training procedures. Second, a literature review was performed in order to outline the strengths and shortcomings of HRDDs training. A comparison between the scientific knowledge and the common practices used by HRDDs brigade was then conducted focusing on HRDDs selection and training procedures. We highlighted that HRDD handlers select their dogs by focusing on behavioral traits while neglecting anatomical features, which have been shown to be important. Most HRDD handlers reported to use a reward-based training, which is in accordance with training literature for dogs. Training aids should be representative of the odor target to allow a dog to reach optimal performances. The survey highlighted the wide diversity of homemade training aids, and the need to optimize their composition. In the present document, key research topics to improve HRDD works are also provided.

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“…On the other hand, it may turn them more prone to episodes of diarrhea, as a stool score corresponding to diarrhea was predicted by activity level. The management of stress in working dogs from a very early age has recently increased interest [ 21 , 22 ] and may help address this issue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A survey on the prevalence of diarrhea in a Portuguese population of police working dogs

Alves

Jorge²,

Santos³

2021

BMC Vet Res

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Background Diarrhea is considered the most common clinical sign of chronic gastrointestinal disease in dogs and affects a considerable portion of working and sporting dogs. We aimed to determine the prevalence of diarrhea in police working dogs and evaluate the relationship between feeding, activity level, and animal characteristics with clinical signs. In an observational, prospective study, information on 188 dogs was collected. For each patient, age, sex, breed, specific mission, number of animals at the same housing location, and activity level was recorded. A body condition (BCS) and canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index (CIBDAI) scores were determined, and feces classified according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare recorded data between breeds, mission, age, and sex. Multiple regression was run to predict BCS score, increased defecation frequency, diarrhea, CIBDAI scores, Bristol stool scores, diarrhea from activity level, number of animals at the same housing location, breed, and mission. A p < 0.05 was set. Results Animals in the sample (male n = 96, female n = 92) had a mean age of 5.2 ± 3.2 years and a bodyweight of 24.1 ± 7.2 kg. Four main dog breeds were represented, 80 Belgian Malinois Shepherd Dogs, 52 German Shepherd Dogs, 25 Labrador Retrievers, and 19 Dutch Shepherd Dog. A prevalence of diarrhea of 10.6% was determined, with 4% of dogs having liquid diarrhea. Dogs classified as “extremely active” were more likely to have a low BCS, and the level of activity contributed to diarrhea and BCS prediction. Conclusion Police working dogs frequently experience diarrhea episodes, which lead to clinical disease and performance loss. Investigation of aetiologies is required.

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Effect of a stimulating environment during the socialization period on the performance of adult police working dogs

Cited by 8 publications

References 25 publications

The use of soluble fibre for the management of chronic idiopathic large-bowel diarrhoea in police working dogs

The use of soluble fibre for the management of chronic idiopathic large-bowel diarrhoea in police working dogs

Cadaver Dogs and the Deathly Hallows—A Survey and Literature Review on Selection and Training Procedure

A survey on the prevalence of diarrhea in a Portuguese population of police working dogs

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