Understanding and preventing canine aggression

了解并预防犬类的攻击行为

• 批准号: 402679-2012
• 负责人: Niel, Lee
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: University of Guelph
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=573356
• 关键词: Understanding; preventing; canine; aggression

Canine aggression is a serious threat to human and animal safety, and is one of the top behavioural reasons for dog euthanasia and relinquishment to shelters. Previous research on aggression in dogs has largely focused on accurately identifying individuals with current aggressive tendencies, and assessing whether different methods of treatment are effective. While treatment of minor to moderate aggression is generally possible with drug therapy and intensive training, owners may not be willing to undertake these treatments due to associated risks or the level of time and effort required. Prevention of these problem behaviours in the first place is a better solution. The long-term objective of the current research program is to determine which behavioural and physiological characteristics and environmental factors predispose dogs to the development of aggression. In this particular proposal we will examine four key questions: 1. Do particular temperament traits predispose dogs to the development of two common types of aggression in companion dogs - possessive and fear-based aggression? 2. Do key environmental factors, such as training, obedience and prior negative experiences influence the development of aggression? 3. Do dogs with possessive or fear-based aggression have neuroanatomical changes in their brains, and are these changes associated with underlying variations in impulsiveness? 4. Do possessive and fear-based aggression influence the affective states, or feelings of dogs. The current proposal is a first step towards early identification of at-risk dogs, and development of tools and strategies for early intervention and prevention.

犬的攻击是对人类和动物安全的严重威胁，也是狗安乐死和放弃收容所的主要行为原因之一。 以前关于狗的攻击性的研究主要集中在准确识别具有当前攻击性倾向的个体，并评估不同的治疗方法是否有效。虽然轻度至中度攻击的治疗通常可以通过药物治疗和强化训练进行，但由于相关风险或所需的时间和精力水平，主人可能不愿意进行这些治疗。首先预防这些问题行为是一个更好的解决方案。目前研究计划的长期目标是确定哪些行为和生理特征以及环境因素使狗易于发展攻击性。 在这一具体建议中，我们将审查四个关键问题： 1.特殊的气质特征是否使狗容易发展两种常见的伴侣狗的攻击性-占有性和基于恐惧的攻击性？ 2.关键的环境因素，如训练，服从和先前的负面经验影响攻击性的发展？ 3.具有占有或恐惧攻击性的狗的大脑是否有神经解剖学上的变化，这些变化是否与冲动的潜在变化有关？ 4.占有欲和基于恐惧的攻击会影响狗的情感状态或感觉吗？ 目前的建议是早期识别高危犬只，以及开发早期干预和预防的工具和策略的第一步。