Boardman Holly, Farnworth Mark James
Department of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare, Harper Adams University, Newport TF10 8NB, UK.
Animals (Basel). 2022 Jun 29;12(13):1682. doi: 10.3390/ani12131682.
Reports suggest that dogs have experienced more quality time with their owners and have exhibited less separation-related behaviour during COVID-19. This study aims to define and explore the changes in the social behaviour of adult dogs, identify any perceived short- and long-term effects and identify the implications that future events may have due to the implementation and withdrawal of COVID-19 restrictions. Owners of dogs aged between 3 and 6 years living in England were recruited for semi-structured interviews about their dogs' social behaviours before, during and after lockdown. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Fifteen owners of eighteen dogs were interviewed in December 2021 to January 2022. All owners interviewed noticed a change in behaviour either during or following the COVID-19 lockdowns. Many owners found that fear-related and aggressive behaviours increased, particularly after lockdown restrictions had been lifted. There is a risk to human and animal safety if fear-related behaviours are not properly managed and there is a danger to dog welfare through relinquishment as owners struggle to cope with problematic behaviours. An increase in the duration of walks is comparable to other studies; however, this study found that many owners continued to walk their dogs more than restrictions allowed. Reliable information or behavioural support by qualified professionals may be needed to aid owners in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Behaviour modification plans or information could include positive techniques such as desensitisation and counterconditioning. More widely, owners should be prepared for any future behavioural changes due to unpredictable events which may alter the dog-owner dynamic. Results can be adapted to the increase in at-home working following the pandemic or other novel experiences and changes of routine such as retirement, job change or relocation. More awareness of the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic is needed to prepare dog behaviour professionals for future owner concerns.
报告显示，在新冠疫情期间，狗狗与主人共度的优质时光增多，与分离相关的行为也有所减少。本研究旨在界定和探索成年犬社交行为的变化，确定任何可察觉到的短期和长期影响，并明确因实施和解除新冠疫情限制措施，未来事件可能产生的影响。招募了居住在英格兰、年龄在3至6岁的狗狗主人，就其狗狗在封锁前、封锁期间和封锁后的社交行为进行半结构化访谈。访谈内容被转录，并采用主题分析法来确定关键主题。2021年12月至2022年1月，对18只狗狗的15位主人进行了访谈。所有接受访谈的主人都注意到，在新冠疫情封锁期间或之后，狗狗的行为发生了变化。许多主人发现，与恐惧相关的行为和攻击性行为有所增加，尤其是在封锁限制解除之后。如果与恐惧相关的行为得不到妥善管理，会对人类和动物安全构成风险，而且由于主人难以应对狗狗的问题行为，狗狗可能会被遗弃，从而危及狗狗的福利。散步时间的增加与其他研究结果相当；然而，本研究发现，许多主人遛狗的时间仍然超过了限制规定。可能需要合格专业人员提供可靠的信息或行为支持，以帮助主人减轻新冠疫情的影响。行为修正计划或信息可以包括脱敏和对抗条件作用等积极技巧。更广泛地说，主人应该为未来因不可预测事件导致的行为变化做好准备，这些事件可能会改变狗狗与主人之间的关系。研究结果可以应用于疫情后在家工作的增加，或其他新的经历以及日常生活的变化，如退休、工作变动或搬迁。需要更多地了解新冠疫情的长期影响，以便让狗狗行为专家为未来主人可能关心的问题做好准备。
