Dogs predisposed to anxiety disorders and related factors in Japan
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2017 |
Authors: |
Takuma Kurachi, Mami Irimajiri, Yuko Mizuta, Toshiyuki Satoh |
Publication/Journal: |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Keywords: |
anxiety disorder, dog, problem behaviour, questionnaire |
ISBN: |
0168-1591 |
Abstract:
Problem behaviours of dogs can be serious, because they could break the human-animal bond resulting in the dogs being relinquished. The aim of the present study was to investigate how many owners thought their dogs display anxiety related behaviours, how many owners were troubled by their dog’s anxiety behaviours, how many owners know about veterinarians specializing in problem behaviours, and to know the factors affecting the development of anxiety disorders. We administered a questionnaire at pet shops in three large cities from north to south in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, and Sendai) and obtained data on 262 dogs. The present study clarified that more than half of the owners thought that their dogs displayed anxiety related behaviours, and more than 20% of owners were troubled by such behaviour. These results suggest that dog owners across the country are troubled by the anxiety behaviour of dogs. We computed the odds ratios using simple linear regression analyses of paired responses to situations in which dogs showed anxiety behaviour, and we found significant associations between the situations. Multiple-comparison tests also revealed significant associations between the situations in which dogs showed anxiety behaviour and the factors affecting anxiety behaviours. The present study is the first to our knowledge to focus on owners troubled by their dog’s anxiety related behaviours and the factors affecting anxiety related behaviours in Japan. We expect that this study will be the first step to educating owners troubled with their dog’s problem behaviours and anxiety disorders.