Selected Referenced Journal Articles and Citations:
Adams GJ, Johnson KG. Guard
dogs: sleep, work and the behavioural responses to people and other stimuli.
Applied Animal Behavior Science. Amsterdam ; New York : Elsevier, 1984-.
Dec 1995. v. 46 (1/2) p. 103-115.
Abstract:
Sleep-wake cycles and the responses to naturally occurring stimuli were
studied in 17 guard dogs; detailed video recordings were made of ten of these
dogs. The guard dogs came from two different backgrounds: either they lived
permanently on-site, or they were commercially owned and regularly brought
onto premises, removed before the workers started, and rested off-site at
kennels. These two groups were studied to discover any difference in sleep-wake
patterns, territoriality and responses to intruders.
Adams GJ, Johnson KG. Behavioural
responses to barking and other auditory stimuli during night-time sleeping
and waking in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal
Behavior Science. Amsterdam ; New York : Elsevier, 1984-. Feb 1994. v. 39
(2) p. 151-162.
Abstract:
Twelve dogs were filmed at night in their usual urban habitats, whilst alert,
in quiet sleep and in active sleep. In each state they were given six pre-recorded
auditory stimuli of the same intensity, namely two barking stimuli (a single
bark and repeated barking), two stimuli of concern to owners (rowdy young
people discussing burglurizing, and breaking glass) and two other stimuli
of common urban sounds (a motor cycle and a bus). When responses during quiet
and active sleep were treated as a single group, dogs were found to be significantly
more responsive to auditory stimuli when alert than when asleep, which was
to be expected (2, P<0.005).
Campbell WE. Problem behavior in dogs. Excessive barking. Modern Veterinary Practice. 1973 Oct;54(11):73.
Juarbe-Diaz SV. Assessment and treatment of excessive barking
in the domestic dog. Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal
Practice. 1997 May;27(3):515-32. Review.
Abstract:
Barking is a normal and common method of communication in the domestic dog,
but it can become a problem behavior in specific circumstances. Excessive
barking can be a mild annoyance or a severe problem, particularly if the
owner is under pressure from other people to stop the dog's behavior. Preventive
measures could reduce the likelihood of the behavior becoming problematic.
Correctly assessing the motivation behind a dog's excessive barking once
it becomes a problem is crucial to the implementation of a successful treatment
regimen. Veterinarians should be prepared to give practical advice to clients
in both instances, because the recommendations could improve the chance
of the dog staying in the household.
Juarbe-Diaz SV, Houpt KA. Comparison of two antibarking collars
for treatment of nuisance barking. Journal of the American Animal
Hospital Assoc. 1996 May-Jun;32(3):231-5.
Abstract:
Two commercially available antibarking collars (i.e., a citronella spray
collar and an electronic shock collar) were evaluated for efficacy and user
satisfaction as reported by owners after a two-week trial period for each
collar. While both collars were effective in decreasing barking (88.9%
for the citronella spray collar and 44.4% for the electronic shock collar),
most owners expressed a preference for the citronella spray collar. Owners
perceived it as being more humane and indicated that they willingly would
use it on a long-term basis to decrease their dogs' nuisance barking. While
the citronella spray collar has some drawbacks, it is another tool for managing
excessive barking.
Lewin JD. Barking dog noise in veterinary hospitals. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Assoc. Mar/Apr
1974, 10 (2): 183-186.
Mertens, Petra A, Unshelm J. Effects of group and individual
housing on the behavior of kennelled dogs in animal shelters. Anthrozoos.
Vol 9(1), 1996, pp. 40-51.
Abstract:
Tested and observed the effects of group (GH) and single housing (SH) on
the behavior of 211 kennelled dogs in 2 animal shelters. After adoption,
197 of the dogs' new owners were sent a questionnaire regarding their contentment
with the adoption, their dog's health, problems that have arisen, and their
opinion about the shelter's quality. Findings show that keeping dogs in
GH led to noise reduction and fulfilled the dog's needs for activity, investigative
behavior, and social interaction. Dogs in GH displayed closer human-animal
relationships than those in SH. The number of behaviorally disturbed dogs
is an indicator of animal welfare. 31% of dogs in SH suffered from behavioral
problems compared with 11% of dogs in GH. Dogs in GH on average were placed
within 10 days, and returned to the shelter less often than dogs in SH.
Dogs in SH on average were placed in 17 days. Within 4 wks, 88% of new owners
of dogs in SH complained of problems. It is concluded that GH for dogs is
a suitable and a preferable alternative.
Miller M, Lago D. Observed pet-owner in-home interactions:
Species differences and association with the Pet Relationship Scale.
Anthrozoos. Vol 4(1), Sum 1990, pp. 49-54.
Abstract:
Conducted home interviews of 53 female Ss (aged 60-91 yrs) who lived in
mostly rural areas and owned a pet. 15 of the women had a cat present at
the time of the interview, and 31 had a dog present. Observed behaviors were
classified under pet-owner interaction, pet behavior toward owner, and pet
behavior toward interviewer on the pet relationship scale. Dogs made more
noise, received and obeyed more orders, and reacted to the presence of the
interviewer more than cats. Playing, picking up, hugging, feeding and telling
stories emerge as important owner behaviors; while friendly and confident
interactions with visitors by pet dogs were strongly associated with affectionate
owner attitudes.
Moffat KS, Landsberg GM, Beaudet R. Effectiveness and comparison
of citronella and scentless spray bark collars for the control of barking
in a veterinary hospital setting. Journal of American Animal Hospitals
Assoc. 2003 Jul-Aug;39(4):343-8.
Abstract:
This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a citronella bark collar
and a new, scentless spray bark collar in a veterinary hospital or a similar
kennel-type environment. Forty-one dogs were included in the study. The efficacy
of each collar was evaluated independently in comparison to control as well
as in a crossover design. Thirty of the dogs were evaluated with the citronella
collar, with 76.7% showing a reduction in barking. Twenty-nine dogs were evaluated
with the scentless collar, with 58.6% showing a reduction in barking. The
improvement over the control collars was statistically significant with both
the citronella and scentless collars.
Sales G, Hubrecht R, et. al. Noise
in dog kennelling: is barking a welfare problem for dogs. Applied
Animal Behavior Science. Amsterdam ; New York : Elsevier, 1984-. Apr 1997.
v. 52 (3/4) p. 321-329.
Abstract:
Noise levels (sound pressure levels, SPLs) were monitored over 24 and 48
h in a number of different types of kennels including shelters, training
establishments and research laboratories. Two measures of SPL were used,
Lpeak and Leq, over both low (1 Hz-20 kHz) and high (12.5-70 kHz) frequency
ranges and using a linear weighting. At most sites the noise levels followed
a diurnal pattern; levels were generally low and relatively constant overnight,
increased gradually in the early morning and then fluctuated during the working
day. Levels decreased in the evening at different times depending on the
local regimes. In one facility near railway lines the diurnal pattern was
less obvious. During the day Lpeak values regularly exceeded 100 dB and often
reached 125 dB; Leq values were between 65 and 100 dB. The high noise levels
were caused mainly by barking, but husbandry procedures such as cleaning
also contributed to them. The noise levels recorded here may have welfare
implications. If this is shown to be the case, it is not yet clear what are
the best methods of reducing the levels. There is currently a lack of adequate
guide lines for noise levels in dog kennels. The current work has highlighted
an area of concern in dog husbandry that urgently needs to be addressed.
Senn CL, Lewin JD. Barking dogs as an environmental problem. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assoc. 1975 Jun 1;166(11):1065-8.
Abstract:
The levels of noise from barking dogs in and near representative veterinary
hospitals were measured and evaluated to determine their effects on practicing
veterinarians, their staffs, clients, and neighbors. Special design criteria
to minimize noise levels within the hospitals and dog confinement areas,
and to prevent noise travel to other parts of the establishments and to surrounding
neighborhoods, were an important element of the study.
Wells DL. The
effectiveness of a citronella spray collar in reducing certain forms of
barking in dogs. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2001 Aug 27;73(4):299-309.
Abstract:
This study examined the effectiveness of a citronella spay collar in reducing
barking in 30 dogs which wore the collar continuously, i.e. every day for
30min, or intermittently, i.e. every other day for 30min, for a period of
3 weeks. Owners rated the frequency of their dog's barking on a scale ranging
from 1 (very infrequent) to 5 (very frequent) before the study began (pre-treatment
condition) and at the end of every week that the collar was worn (treatment
condition). A further evaluation was made at the end of week 4, following
7 days of collar deprivation (post-treatment condition). Dogs exhibited a
significantly lower frequency of barking during the treatment and post-treatment
conditions compared to the pre-treatment condition. Barking was most effectively
reduced when dogs wore the collar intermittently. However, barking increased
over the period of time the collar was worn, particularly in those dogs which
wore the device every day. Barking continued to increase when the dogs stopped
wearing the collar, albeit at frequencies lower than pre-treatment, particularly
in those animals which had worn the collar continuously. The collar was more
effective at reducing travel related barking than television or traffic related
barking. Findings indicate that dogs generally habituate to the citronella
spray collar irrespective of how the animal is exposed to the device. A longer
period of efficacy occurs, however, if the collar is worn intermittently.
This may appeal to owners who are concerned about their pet having to wear
the collar for long periods of time.
Yin S. A new perspective on barking in dogs (Canis familiaris). J Comp Psychol. 2002 Jun;116(2):189-93.
Abstract:
The disparity in bark frequency and context between dogs (Canis familiaris)
and wolves (Canis lupus) has led some researchers to conclude that barking
in the domestic dog is nonfunctional. This conclusion attributes the differences
primarily to genetic variation caused by domestication rather than to the
influence of social environment on ontogeny. Other researchers, however,
have concluded that vocal usage and response to vocalizations in mammals
are strongly guided by social interactions. Closer evaluation of dog vocalizations
with respect to social environment reveals developmental factors that lead
to both frequent barking and barking in many contexts. Additionally, spectrographic
analysis indicates that bark structure varies predictably with context,
suggesting that barks can be divided into contextual subtypes and may be
a more complex form of communication than given credit.
for further information, please see
Companion Animal Behavior Program
for any questions or problems, please contact
Mary W. Wood
web liaison
MLS, Librarian
4/16/08
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