Christiansen F O., Bakken M, Braastad B O.
North Trondelag Research Institute, P.O. Box 2533, N-7729, Steinkjer, Norway
Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2001 Apr 26;72(2):131-143. doi: 10.1016/s0168-1591(00)00203-3.
Domesticated dogs occasionally exhibit predatory behaviour towards domestic sheep when running loose in pasture. Both young and old dogs of either sex may chase sheep. Electronic dog collars applying electric shocks are utilised as one method of training dogs to refrain from attacking sheep. This device is used for a number of other training purposes which have raised concern for the welfare of the dogs being trained. This study aims at testing long-term learning effects of previous sheep tests on sheep chasing in hunting dog breeds (Norwegian elkhounds (grey), English setters, and hare hunting dogs), in particular with use of electronic dog collars, in addition to uncovering potential secondary negative effects on dogs' behaviour and mental stability. The dogs (N=114) were subjected to three tests for two subsequent years, the second year being reported here. Dogs were tested for reactions to different stimuli, including a sheep, in a path test. In a sheep confrontation test, dogs were fenced in with a sheep group and given el. shocks when approaching 1-2m from sheep. A questionnaire to the dog owners reported differences in dogs' behaviour between the years.Dogs showed weaker or delayed behavioural responses in both tests in the second year. No dogs showed interest in or attacked a lone sheep in the path test in the second year, while almost two thirds of them did so the first year. In the sheep confrontation test, the dogs exhibited comparatively hesitant initial hunting motivation the second year, being more evident in dogs which received el. shocks the first year. No dogs chased or attacked sheep as their first response in this test, while half of them did so the first year. The proportion of dogs attacking sheep during the entire test was reduced to almost one fourth. The number of el. shocks administered reduced by the second year, and only one of the dogs that received el. shocks the first year received el. shocks the second year. The owners reported no negative effect on the dogs' behaviour during the year ensuing el. shock treatment. Eighteen of the 24 dogs reported by owners to exhibit behavioural changes lost their previous interest in sheep.The second-year tests indicate that aversive conditioning with the use of electronic dog collar may be an efficient method for reducing the probability of a dog chasing or attacking grazing sheep. No adverse effects were observed with our test procedure.
家养犬在牧场自由活动时偶尔会对家养绵羊表现出捕食行为。无论雌雄，幼犬和老龄犬都可能追逐绵羊。使用施加电击的电子狗项圈是训练犬不攻击绵羊的一种方法。该装置还用于许多其他训练目的，这引发了对接受训练的犬福利的担忧。本研究旨在测试先前绵羊测试对猎犬品种（挪威猎麋犬（灰色）、英国塞特犬和野兔猎犬）追逐绵羊的长期学习效果，特别是使用电子狗项圈的情况，此外还旨在揭示对犬行为和心理稳定性的潜在继发性负面影响。这些犬（N = 114）在随后两年中接受了三次测试，本文报告的是第二年的情况。在路径测试中，对犬进行不同刺激（包括一只绵羊）的反应测试。在绵羊对峙测试中，将犬与一群绵羊围在一起，当犬距离绵羊1 - 2米时给予电击。向犬主人发放的问卷报告了不同年份犬行为的差异。在第二年的两项测试中，犬的行为反应都变弱或延迟。在第二年的路径测试中，没有犬对单独的绵羊表现出兴趣或进行攻击，而第一年几乎三分之二的犬会这样做。在绵羊对峙测试中，第二年犬表现出相对犹豫的初始捕猎动机，在第一年接受电击的犬中更为明显。在这项测试中，没有犬将追逐或攻击绵羊作为第一反应，而第一年有一半的犬会这样做。在整个测试过程中攻击绵羊的犬的比例降至几乎四分之一。第二年施加的电击次数减少，第一年接受电击的犬中只有一只在第二年接受了电击。主人报告在电击治疗后的一年中，犬的行为没有受到负面影响。主人报告表现出行为变化的24只犬中有18只对绵羊失去了先前的兴趣。第二年的测试表明，使用电子狗项圈进行厌恶条件训练可能是降低犬追逐或攻击放牧绵羊概率的有效方法。我们的测试程序未观察到不良影响。
