Dogs purchased from pet stores are more likely to have a range of behavior problems than those purchased from small, non-commercial breeders, says a study by researchers at the Best Friends Animal Society and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The study involved 413 dogs purchased from pet stores. Psychological and behavioral characteristics of these dogs were compared to the same characteristics in 5,657 dogs obtained from small-scale, private breeders. (Most puppies sold in pet stores in the USA are sourced from large-scale, puppy mill type commercial breeders).
Results show that dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores showed significantly more aggression toward human family members, unfamiliar people and other dogs. Dogs purchased from pet stores were almost twice as likely to exhibit aggression directed toward unfamiliar dogs than dogs purchased from small non-commercial breeders.
The pet store dogs also a displayed greater fear of other dogs and typical events in pet dogs’ lives, had more behavior problems when left alone at home, and experienced more problems with house-soiling. These behaviors in young adult dogs are reasons typically cited by people who surrender their pets to animal shelters.
“The results were so one-sided that in the wide range of behavior problems we included in our analysis, pet store dogs failed in every single case to even obtain one more favorable score than the comparison group of dogs” says Dr Frank McMillan of Best Friends Animal Society.
The research team acknowledges that the exact causes of the behavioral problems observed are not known; until these causes are understood, they recommend avoiding purchasing puppies from pet stores.
Source: BusinessWire media release
See my related post about the ASPCA’s No Pet Store Puppies initiative
Posted in animal welfare, research
Tagged aggression, aggressive behavior, aggressive behaviour, American Veterinary Medical Association, animal shelters, behavior, behaviour, Best Friends Animal Society, canine behavior, canine behaviour, pet store, pet stores, school of veterinary medicine, University of Pennsylvania
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport has just invested $75,000 for a dog loo primarily to support service dogs traveling with their owners.
Service dogs Jello, right, and Cricket sniff around the new Service Animal Relief Area at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Mandi Wright)
Most dogs in airports are certified service dogs but this facility will also help passengers who are flying with their dogs on holiday or to events like dog shows. Small dogs can fly in the cabin of most US airlines providing they meet size restrictions.
For other blogs about dogs, relief areas and airports read these postings:
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
If you are a dog owner, you should know about the basic anatomy of the paw so you can describe to your vet or animal care practitioner about the location of pain or injuries.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
A = the nails
B = digital pads
C = main metacarpal pad
D = dew claw
E = carpal pad
Tagged carpal pad, dew claw, digital pads, main metacarpal pad, nails, paw
Sometimes you’re the fire hydrant, sometimes you’re the dog
Have a great weekend!
It’s National Scoop the Poop week in the USA.
In 1991, the EPA declared dog poo a non-point source pollutant. Other non-point sources include herbicides, oil and chemicals (including those used for production agriculture, or in your own back yard).
(Is it any wonder why people are so concerned in New Zealand about cow urine and dung’s impacts on the environment? A single cow excretes lots more waste than a single dog!)
To get into the spirit of things, the DoodyFree Water Project is giving away 250,000 pet waste bags to dog parks and other green spaces. You can apply through their website by explaining how a bag donation will impact on your community. You can also read about DoodyFree projects in your state.
The DoodyFree Water Project is sponsored by waste management company DoodyCalls.
Read my other posts about responsible dog ownership and scooping the poop:
The public relations nightmare of unscooped poop
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
‘Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.’
– Agnes Sligh Turnbull, author
Some readers will think this post is about a rock band from the 1960s and 70s. It isn’t.
It’s about the origin of the phrase “Three Dog Night” from which the band took the name…
Widely attributed to the Aborigines of Australia, the term means that the night is so cold, you need to sleep with three dogs to keep warm (particularly appropriate as we are starting to have clear, cold nights in the southern hemisphere – winter is near).
This phrase is sometimes also attributed to the Inuit of the northern regions, who would sleep with their dogs to keep warm.
Posted in Dogs
Tagged Aborigines, Aborigines of Australia, Inuit, sayings, southern hemisphere, Three Dog Night
This is the third book by Dr Nick Trout that I’ve read. In it, Dr Trout weaves a tale based on two actual clients and their dogs who inspired him to consider his role in healing.
The book carries the appropriate subtitle ‘What two dogs taught one veterinarian about hope, humility and everyday miracles’
In this book we watch the stories of Cleo, a Miniature Pinscher and Helen, a Cocker Spaniel, unfold. The dogs and their owners don’t know each other, but their stories intertwine because of Dr Trout’s involvement with both dogs.
It’s never easy when we find out that our dog is seriously unwell, and we all want to believe in miracles to keep them with us for a little while longer. This theme of love for your dog will resonate with most dog parents.
I didn’t like this book as well as Tell me where it hurts, Dr Trout’s other autobiographical story. It was, nonetheless, a good read.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
For other book reviews:
I’ve previously reviewed The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs, a novel by Dr Trout. Read it here.
Posted in dog books
Tagged cocker spaniel, Dr Nick Trout, Dr Trout, Love is the Best Medicine, Miniature Pinscher
Soldiers with their dogs stand at the Australian War Memorial (photo by Siobhan Heanue, ABC)
On the eve of Anzac Day, here’s a special story about service animals honoured recently at the Australiam War Memorial.
Posted in Dogs, special dogs and awards
Tagged Anzac Day, Australian War Memorial, dogs
