Organization: Monmouth University
Investigator(s): Lindsay Mehrkam, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Grant Amount: $131,333.66
Project Type: Basic Research
Project Status: Research Complete
This multi-state interdisciplinary experimental study assessed the effects of different playgroup components on shelter dog physiological and behavioral welfare. A total of 172 dogs participated from four different shelters. Mean salivary cortisol levels were significantly lower in shelter dogs utilizing differential rewards than dogs in large playgroup utilizing corrections and the control shelter dogs not utilizing corrections. Overall, dogs that participated in playgroups were less likely to exhibit behavioral deterioration from Day 1 to Day 7 than dogs that did not participate in playgroups. In all shelters, some dogs showed evidence of increased adoptability indicators across their length of stay in the shelter.
The objective of the project was: to evaluate the benefits of dog playgroups as an effective enrichment strategy in promoting welfare, quality of life and adoptability in shelter dogs.
A total of 172 dogs participated from four different shelters utilizing differential rewards ("SR+") including food, praise and voluntary breaks in play (n = 37), large playgroup utilizing corrections ("LC+") (n = 35), small playgroup utilizing corrections ("SC+") (n = 35) and control shelter not using playgroup ("CO-) (n = 51). Corrections used included verbal corrections and use of spray bottles to spray water on or toward dogs. Cortisol levels and in-kennel behavioral outcomes were measured for each dog across seven days.
In a supplementary study conducted to examine how social interaction can influence perceptions of adoptability and welfare of shelter dogs, 109 participants were randomly assigned to one of three video conditions (dog alone in kennel, dog interacting with human, dog interacting with another dog). Participants then filled out a series of questionnaires asking about the perceived adoptability and welfare of the dog they viewed in the video and if they wanted to donate to a local shelter.
This project found that playgroups reduce behavioral deterioration. Salivary cortisol levels are significantly lower in small playgroups that use reward than in the control group (walks or time in a yard), large playgroups that use correction and small playgroups that use contraction.