SIGNS OF STRESS, FEAR
AND ANXIETY
Studies of dogs in different environments have shown
that individual dogs respond in various ways when they
are stressed, fearful or anxious so it is not possible to
provide a definitive list of signs.
Some of the signs that staff might see include but are
not limited to5:
l changes in behaviour (e.g. activity)
l emergence of fearful behaviour (e.g. aggression,
cowering, hiding)
l self-mutilation or over-grooming
l performance of repetitive behaviour
l shivering
l trembling
l paw-lifting
l weight loss
l loose faeces
l coprophagy (consumption of faeces)
l sore feet
l high levels of vocalisation, or
l kennel chewing.
Photographs and videos of some of the behaviours
described above can be found at:
www.bristol.ac.uk/vetscience/services/behaviour-clinic/
dogbehaviouralsigns/
As individual dogs respond in different ways when
they are stressed, fearful or anxious, it is important that
staff inspect and monitor their dogs on a regular basis
and become familiar with an individual dog's behaviour
and characteristics.
MEETING THE WELFARE NEEDS OF SEIZED DOGS IN A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT 13
��� BEHAVIOUR
3.3 Monitoring of behavioural signs
a) Staff must be familiar with and able to recognise signs
of stress, fear and anxiety to determine whether the dog is
experiencing good or poor welfare.
b) The behaviour of all dogs, and in particular any changes,
must be recorded during daily inspections. For example, the
use of a daily care sheet placed on the front of the kennel
can be of benefit, particularly when different staff deal with
the same dog (see Appendix V for an example).
Changes in behaviour are often the first signs of illness or
injury, so possible causes for these signs in individual dogs
must be investigated. Veterinary advice must be sought
where significant or persistent changes in behaviour are
noted and if/when advised the advice of a suitably qualified
behaviour expert (see Appendix III) must be sought.
c) Where multiple dogs within an establishment show signs of
stress, fear and anxiety e.g. exhibiting repetitive behaviours,
the housing and husbandry routines of the establishment
must be reviewed (see also section 1.1h). Advice from a
veterinary surgeon and/or suitably qualified behaviour expert
(see Appendix III) must be sought where necessary. If the
kennel fails to adhere to the advice, the dogs should be
removed to another kennel and the contract terminated.
d) When an establishment has concerns about a dog's
behaviour, they should inform the seizing authority and it
must provide information on these concerns to the recipient,
for example, when the animal is returned to his/her owner
or transferred to another organisation for rehoming.
AGGRESSIVE DOGS
The RSPCA is aware that, in some cases, staff are so
concerned about a dog's aggressive behaviour and
the risk posed to themselves that a decision is made
to withhold exercise and human contact. Whilst it is
acknowledged that health and safety of kennel staff
must be protected, not providing a dog with daily
exercise or contact fails to fulfil the need to make sure
a dog can behave normally, its need for company and
to protect the dog from suffering.
In the majority of cases, dogs display aggression
because they feel threatened by something or someone
and so this behaviour is generally indicative of poor
welfare. Therefore, where such situations arise, and
it is believed that there is no alternative but to
withhold exercise and human contact, it is necessary
for all other possible means of improving the dog's
welfare to be explored which includes providing
further enrichment (Appendix II) and seeking advice
from a vet and suitable behaviour expert (Appendix III).
In some cases vets may prescribe psychopharmacological
interventions. Where such efforts fail to protect the dog,
euthanasia should be considered if that is in the animal's
own interests.