Association between training methods and owner-reported problem behaviours in dogs enrolled in the ‘Generation Pup’ longitudinal study in the UK

Abstract

This study aimed to explore factors associated with owners reporting of problem behaviour in dogs. Owner-completed surveys collected as part of a longitudinal dog health/behaviour study were analysed. Owner-selected training methods were classified into four training categories on a scale from ‘Rewards only’ to ‘Aversive only’ that reflected the proportion of aversive- and rewards-based methods selected. ‘Owner-reported behaviour at 12 months’ (problem reported/ not) was modelled with logistic regression. Predictive variables included: dog/owner demographics; owner-reported behaviour at three timepoints (12/16 weeks, 6 and 9 months), the training category and change in the training category (to a more aversive/less aversive method or maintenance) at three timepoints (12/16 weeks, 9 and 12 months). The model was repeated for a subset of dogs whose owners completed a personality questionnaire (International Personality Item Pool-50). The second model included the predictive variables listed for the first model and owners’ personality scores. Dogs trained with only aversive methods were excluded (n <10). In the first model (X²=312, R²=0.33, p=<0.001, n=1130), owner-reported problem behaviour at 12 months was associated with the increased odds of: owner-reported problem behaviour at 12/16 weeks (OR=1.88, CI%1.38–2.55, p<0.001), 6 (OR= 2.19, CI%1.62–2.97, p<0.001) and 9 months (OR=6.51, CI%4.83–8.83, p<0.001) and changing to a more aversive training category between 9 and 12 months (compared to changing to a less aversive/ maintenance of the same category; OR=1.66, CI%1.06–2.63, p=0.029). In the second model (X²=178.4, R²=0.35, p=<0.001, n=590) owner-reported problem behaviour at 12 months was associated with increased odds of owner-reported problem behaviour at all previous timepoints (OR=1.83, CI%1.20–2.79, p<0.005; OR= 2.29, CI%1.1.49–3.51, p<0.001; OR=6.98, CI%4.61–10.70, p<0.001 for 12/16 weeks, 6 and 9 months, respectively). In this model, higher odds of owner-reported problem behaviour at 12 months were additionally associated with being a first-time owner (OR=1.93; CI%1.12–3.08, p=0.006), not seeing the dog’s mother on acquisition (OR=2.03, CI%1.12–3.68, p=0.02) and owner Openness personality trait score (OR=1.05, CI%1.01–1.09, p=0.02). The perception of deteriorating dog behaviour during the first year of a dog’s life may motivate owners to apply training with aversive components, warranting further education into the importance of consistent rewards-based training.