Training methods of military dog handlers and their effects on the team's performances

Haverbeke, Anouck; Laporte, Bérengère; Depiereux, Eric; Giffroy, Jean-Marie; Diederich, Claire

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2007.11.010

Cited by 108 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Although further studies are required, the process of living with humans might have affected the feeding pattern and interest in food of these dogs. Concerning the analyses of training methods used on working dogs, Haverbeke et al [5] suggested that motivationally equivalent rewards might need to be identified and given to dogs instead of food (e.g. tug and retrieve games).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Feeding Behavior of Dogs Correlates with their Responses to Commands

Okamoto¹,

Ohtani

Uchiyama

et al. 2009

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

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ABSTRACT. Motivation is one of the most important factors in dog training. To generate motivation, people use various reinforcer mechanisms. In particular, many pet owners use food because it is simple and convenient. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dogs' level of interest in food and their responsiveness to commands. Thirty-four dogs were divided into three groups based on their feeding patterns (Fast, Slow, and Leftover). The fast group (n=15) had the highest interest in food and showed a high response to commands when food was used as a reinforcer, rather than praise/stroking. The leftover group (n=6) showed the least interest in food and had a low reaction to commands, regardless of the reinforcer. In contrast, the slow group (n=13) had modest interest in food and maintained the same response to commands regardless of the reinforcer. Results of this study indicate that dogs' feeding patterns are indicative of their level of interest in food, and may be useful in determining the optimal training reinforcer. This can help dog owners improve their relationships with their dogs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Feeding Behavior of Dogs Correlates with their Responses to Commands

Okamoto¹,

Ohtani

Uchiyama

et al. 2009

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

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“…There are still some trainers who use coercive approaches based on a "dominance" approach to interpreting dog behavior (Bradshaw et al, 2009), and rough handling remains common in specific disciplines and organizations (Haverbeke et al, 2009). Aversive methods, including pulling the leash and hanging, are associated with low body postures indicative of fear or distress and poor performance in military working dogs (Haverbeke et al, 2008). Those military dogs suspected to have been handled roughly in the past were perceived to be more fearful (Lefebvre et al, 2007).…”

Section: Reduction Of Stress During Routine Trainingmentioning

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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“…DNA was available for a total of 28 MWD that were previously characterized for obedience and protection [37,39] (Table 5). Of these, 25 were the same dogs used in the aggression and fearfulness studies [6,38].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MWD were previously assessed for obedience and protection performance [37,39]. The standardized evaluation used included eight obedience exercises (heelwork, sit, down, stand, positions at a distance, recall, down and stay with handler out of sight, jump) and five protection exercises (defense of handler, attack, attack with gunshots, attack with threatening behavior, and stopped-attack).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of a dopamine transporter polymorphism and behavior in Belgian Malinois

et al. 2013

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BackgroundThe Belgian Malinois dog breed (MAL) is frequently used in law enforcement and military environments. Owners have reported seizures and unpredictable behavioral changes including dogs’ eyes “glazing over,” dogs’ lack of response to environmental stimuli, and loss of behavioral inhibition including owner-directed biting behavior. Dogs with severe behavioral changes may be euthanized as they can represent a danger to humans and other dogs. In the dog, the dopamine transporter gene (DAT) contains a 38-base pair variable number tandem repeat (DAT-VNTR); alleles have either one or two copies of the 38-base pair sequence. The objective of this study was to assess frequency of DAT-VNTR alleles, and characterize the association between DAT-VNTR alleles and behavior in MAL and other breeds.ResultsIn an American sample of 280 dogs comprising 26 breeds, most breeds are predominantly homozygous for the DAT-VNTR two-tandem-repeat allele (2/2). The one-tandem-repeat allele is over-represented in American MAL (AM-MAL) (n = 144), both as heterozygotes (1/2) and homozygotes (1/1). All AM-MAL with reported seizures (n = 5) were 1/1 genotype. For AM-MAL with at least one “1” allele (1/1 or 1/2 genotype, n = 121), owners reported higher levels of attention, increased frequency of episodic aggression, and increased frequency of loss of responsiveness to environmental stimuli. In behavior observations, Belgian Military Working Dogs (MWD) with 1/1 or 1/2 genotypes displayed fewer distracted behaviors and more stress-related behaviors such as lower posture and increased yawning. Handlers’ treatment of MWD varied with DAT-VNTR genotype as did dogs’ responses to handlers’ behavior. For 1/1 or 1/2 genotype MWD, 1) lower posture after the first aversive stimulus given by handlers was associated with poorer obedience performance; 2) increased aversive stimuli during protection exercises were associated with decreased performance; 3) more aversive stimuli during obedience were associated with more aversive stimuli during protection; and 4) handlers used more aversive stimuli in protection compared with obedience exercises.ConclusionsThe single copy allele of DAT-VNTR is associated with owner-reported seizures, loss of responsiveness to environmental stimuli, episodic aggression, and hyper-vigilance in MAL. Behavioral changes are associated with differential treatment by handlers. Findings should be considered preliminary until replicated in a larger sample.

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Training methods of military dog handlers and their effects on the team's performances

Cited by 108 publications

References 14 publications

The Feeding Behavior of Dogs Correlates with their Responses to Commands

The Feeding Behavior of Dogs Correlates with their Responses to Commands

Minimizing fear and anxiety in working dogs: A review

Characterization of a dopamine transporter polymorphism and behavior in Belgian Malinois

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