Flint E L, Minot E O, Perry P E, Stafford K J
a Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences , Massey University , Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North , New Zealand.
N Z Vet J. 2014 Nov;62(6):321-7. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2014.921852. Epub 2014 Sep 18.
To investigate public attitudes towards barking dogs in New Zealand in order to quantify the extent to which people perceive barking dogs to be a problem, to compare tolerance of barking with that of other common suburban noises, to assess the level of public understanding about the function of barking, to determine risk factors for intolerance of barking and to assess knowledge of possible strategies for the investigation and management of problem barking.
A 12-page questionnaire was sent to 2,000 people throughout New Zealand randomly selected from the electoral roll. Risk factors for being bothered by barking were examined using logistic regression analysis.
A total of 1,750 questionnaires were successfully delivered; of these, 727 (42%) were returned. Among respondents, 356/727 (49.0%) indicated that frequent barking during the day would bother them while 545/727 (75.0%) would be bothered by barking at night. Barking and howling were ranked above other suburban noises as a cause of annoyance. Risk factors for being bothered by daytime barking were not being home during the day, not owning a dog, and considering a dog bite to be a serious health risk. Risk factors for being bothered by night-time barking were not being home during the day, marital status, considering dog bites to pose a serious health risk, and having been frightened by a dog. Overall, 510/699 (73%) respondents understood that barking was a form of communication. Action likely to be taken by 666 respondents hearing frequent barking included notifying and offering to help the owner (119; 17.8%), complaining to the owner (127; 19.1%) or the authorities (121; 18.2%), or doing nothing (299; 48%). Possible responses by 211 dog owners if they had a barking dog included seeking help from dog trainers (59; 28%) or behaviourists (54; 26%), buying an anti-barking device (33; 15%) or getting rid of the dog (20; 10%).
Barking was considered to be potentially disturbing by respondents to this survey. Attitudes towards barking were most influenced by age, dog ownership, past experience with dogs and attitude towards dog bites. Public understanding of the possible reasons for barking and appropriate methods of managing the behaviour when it becomes a problem could be improved by better education and the provision of information through veterinary clinics and social media.
调查新西兰公众对犬吠的态度，以量化人们认为犬吠是一个问题的程度，将对犬吠的容忍度与其他常见的郊区噪音的容忍度进行比较，评估公众对犬吠功能的理解水平，确定对犬吠不耐受的风险因素，并评估对解决问题性犬吠的调查和管理可能策略的了解情况。
向从选民名册中随机挑选的2000名新西兰人发送了一份12页的问卷。使用逻辑回归分析检查被犬吠困扰的风险因素。
共成功发放了1750份问卷；其中，727份（42%）被退回。在受访者中，356/727（49.0%）表示白天频繁犬吠会困扰他们，而545/727（75.0%）会被夜间犬吠困扰。犬吠和嚎叫在作为烦恼原因方面的排名高于其他郊区噪音。白天被犬吠困扰的风险因素是白天不在家、不养狗以及认为狗咬是严重的健康风险。夜间被犬吠困扰的风险因素是白天不在家、婚姻状况、认为狗咬构成严重健康风险以及曾被狗惊吓过。总体而言，510/699（73%）的受访者理解犬吠是一种交流形式。666名听到频繁犬吠的受访者可能采取的行动包括通知并主动帮助主人（119人；17.8%）、向主人（127人；19.1%）或当局（121人；18.2%）投诉，或什么都不做（299人；48%）。如果他们的狗犬吠，211名狗主人可能的应对措施包括向训犬师（59人；28%）或行为学家（54人；26%）寻求帮助、购买防吠设备（33人；15%）或处理掉狗（20人；10%）。
本次调查的受访者认为犬吠可能会造成干扰。对犬吠的态度受年龄、是否养狗、过去与狗的经历以及对狗咬的态度影响最大。通过更好的教育以及通过兽医诊所和社交媒体提供信息，可以提高公众对犬吠可能原因的理解以及在犬吠成为问题时管理该行为的适当方法。
