Sociability is one of the most attractive characteristics for the adoption of shelter’s dogs. RandAgiamoTM is a project implemented in a rescue shelter in central Italy (Perugia) (Menchetti et al., 2015). It is aimed to increase dogs’ adoption rate, promote welfare through environmental and social enrichment, and facilitate relationships with new adoptive families. A group of 15 dogs was selected by the criteria of an Adoptability Index Score (IDA) (Catalani, 2007). Then, they were submitted to a standardized training and socialization protocol, consisting in six sessions (T1-T6), each one including a series of ten exercises. At each session dogs were behaviorally assessed by a 5 Likert score system, measuring the following predefined behavioral characteristic: apathy, diffidence, fear, sociability, confidence, excitement, competitiveness and aggression. A 4-point scale assessed the dogs’ performance of each exercise. Data were analyzed by GEE using cumulative logit function. Sociability was related to size (Wald χ2=28.6, p<0.001), age (Wald χ2=11.5, p<0.01), gender (Wald χ2=49.6, p<0.001), and length of stay (Wald χ2=14.7, p<0.001) of dogs as well as to exercise (Wald χ2=10786.4, p<0.001). Sociability increased from T1 to T6 (Wald χ2=100.4, p<0.001; OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.6, 2.8). Dogs ranking higher in sociability were more likely to achieve high performance scores (Wald χ2=55.3, p<0.001; OR=3.4, 95% CI=2.4, 4.6). The RandAgiamoTM protocol influenced some behavioral characteristics of shelter’s dogs increasing their sociability. This change improves dog’s performance and could contribute to promote shelter dogs’ adoption rate and satisfaction of adopters. Keywords: dog; shelter; training; sociability References: Menchetti, L., Mancini, S., Catalani, M. C., Boccini, B., Diverio, S. 2015. RandAgiamo™, a Pilot Project Increasing Adoptability of Shelter Dogs in the Umbria Region (Italy). Animals 5(3), 774-792. Catalani, M.C., 2007. Valutazione dei cani, categorie di attribuzione e protocolli di testaggio. In “Il canile come presidio zooantropologico” – Marchesini R., Edizioni Medico Scientifiche, 92 – 132.
The RandagiamoTM Program increases sociability in shelter’s dogs.
CATALANI, MARIA CHIARA;MENCHETTI, LAURA;BOCCINI, BEATRICE;ENAS, CLAUDIA;DIVERIO, Silvana
2016
Abstract
Sociability is one of the most attractive characteristics for the adoption of shelter’s dogs. RandAgiamoTM is a project implemented in a rescue shelter in central Italy (Perugia) (Menchetti et al., 2015). It is aimed to increase dogs’ adoption rate, promote welfare through environmental and social enrichment, and facilitate relationships with new adoptive families. A group of 15 dogs was selected by the criteria of an Adoptability Index Score (IDA) (Catalani, 2007). Then, they were submitted to a standardized training and socialization protocol, consisting in six sessions (T1-T6), each one including a series of ten exercises. At each session dogs were behaviorally assessed by a 5 Likert score system, measuring the following predefined behavioral characteristic: apathy, diffidence, fear, sociability, confidence, excitement, competitiveness and aggression. A 4-point scale assessed the dogs’ performance of each exercise. Data were analyzed by GEE using cumulative logit function. Sociability was related to size (Wald χ2=28.6, p<0.001), age (Wald χ2=11.5, p<0.01), gender (Wald χ2=49.6, p<0.001), and length of stay (Wald χ2=14.7, p<0.001) of dogs as well as to exercise (Wald χ2=10786.4, p<0.001). Sociability increased from T1 to T6 (Wald χ2=100.4, p<0.001; OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.6, 2.8). Dogs ranking higher in sociability were more likely to achieve high performance scores (Wald χ2=55.3, p<0.001; OR=3.4, 95% CI=2.4, 4.6). The RandAgiamoTM protocol influenced some behavioral characteristics of shelter’s dogs increasing their sociability. This change improves dog’s performance and could contribute to promote shelter dogs’ adoption rate and satisfaction of adopters. Keywords: dog; shelter; training; sociability References: Menchetti, L., Mancini, S., Catalani, M. C., Boccini, B., Diverio, S. 2015. RandAgiamo™, a Pilot Project Increasing Adoptability of Shelter Dogs in the Umbria Region (Italy). Animals 5(3), 774-792. Catalani, M.C., 2007. Valutazione dei cani, categorie di attribuzione e protocolli di testaggio. In “Il canile come presidio zooantropologico” – Marchesini R., Edizioni Medico Scientifiche, 92 – 132.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
