October 31, 2018

Audience: Executive Leadership, Foster Caregivers, Public, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers, Veterinary Team

Organization: SPCA of Texas
Investigator(s): Jessica Lockhart
Grant Amount: $25,000.00
Project Type: Basic Research
Project Status: Research Complete

Project Summary

This SPCA of Texas study aimed to test the theory that classical conditioning can be effective in reducing fear behaviors in hoarded dogs. The program consisted of training foster families on the specific needs of anxious dogs and working with the SPCA of Texas' behavior staff to create a rehabilitation plan. The study began with 30 dogs and ended with 18 dogs in 2018; the results were inconclusive. This was due to obstacles encountered during the study, including the SPCA of Texas Rescue Center not being conducive to behavior modification which was corroborated by a visit by the ASPCA; staff needing additional training on behavior modification and more behavior staff being needed in order to positively impact the number of shy and fearful dogs they were getting from hoarding situations. However, many lessons were learned that will be helpful in fostering shy and fearful dogs.

Objective(s)

The objective of the project was: to test the theory that classical condition can be effective in reducing fear behaviors in hoarded dogs.

Methods

The study began with 30 dogs broken out into two groups-the control group (AKA shelter group) which stayed at the shelter and the experimental group which went to foster homes. The caretakers were provided an orientation where they were instructed to conduct the same interactions and counterconditioning activities to the dogs in their care. Both the caregivers for the control group and the experimental group were given the supplies they needed to conduct the study and provide similar counterconditioning activities. However, due to difficulty finding and retaining foster volunteers who could handle the detailed duties and requirements, just 18 dogs participated in the study, which was fewer than anticipated.

Results

  • Dogs overcame their fears and improved their behavior more quickly when they were in homes than when in shelters.
  • Volunteers that fostered these dogs needed more than just an orientation. They needed proper training and follow-up visits from the SPCA of Texas. They also needed support from behaviorists to help them deal with issues.
  • Dogs showed almost immediate improvement when they were fostered in homes-they started to relax and become less fearful.
  • The staff needed additional training on behavior modification and received this training from the ASPCA Behavior Modification Center.
  • More behavior staff was needed in order to positively impact the number of shy and fearful dogs they were getting from hoarding situations.

Conclusions

The main outcome or lesson learned from this study was that hoarded dogs did better in the home settings than in shelter settings. The hoarded dogs might not have had a chance in very many shelters. While the work is intensive, this important area of work will help save more dogs from the abuse or neglect and support them in their long-term recovery. Since this study, SPCA of Texas received training from the ASPCA Behavior Modification Center. Additional behaviorists had been hired to work with the shy and fearful dogs, to provide support to the fosters and to provide support after adoption.