The Effect of a Social Enrichment Programme on the Behaviour of Dogs from a Private Shelter

  • Silvana POPESCU University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
  • Cristin BORDA University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
  • Cristina EL MAHDY University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
  • Eva- Andrea LAZAR University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
  • Anamaria BLAGA PETREAN University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
  • Ioana- Diana CÂMPEAN University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
  • Marina SPINU University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
Keywords: dog behaviour, quality of life score, social enrichment.

Abstract

The aim of this study was the behavior assessment of dogs housed in a private shelter, before and after implementing an intensive social enrichment programme. Using an assessment protocol of provoked and unprovoked behavior, a range of behavioral indicators was recorded in 20 dogs housed for more than two years in the shelter. The data collected was used for computing a quality of life score (QL). After the implementation of the social enrichment programme, 75% of the studied dogs received higher QL scores compared with the initial assessment. At that stage, also a slight increasing in the proportion of the dogs’ positive indicators was seen. No significant difference was recorded when compared the results obtained by the two assessors. The higher QL scores obtained after the enrichment programme prove that such a programme has positive effects on the behavior and on the life quality of shelter dogs.

Author Biographies

Silvana POPESCU, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Cristin BORDA, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Cristina EL MAHDY, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies
Eva- Andrea LAZAR, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Anamaria BLAGA PETREAN, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Ioana- Diana CÂMPEAN, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Marina SPINU, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur St., 400372
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Published
2018-12-16