Association between prospective owner viewing of the parents of a puppy and later referral for behavioural problems |
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Authors: | Westgarth C Reevell K Barclay R |
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Institution: | Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road Neston, CH64 7TE, UK. carri.westgarth@liverpool.ac.uk |
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Abstract: | A case-control study was designed to test whether there is an association between the owners seeing the mother of a puppy, and later development of behavioural problems. The sample consisted of dogs that were seen by animal behaviourists (members of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors) and equivalent dogs (without a behavioural problem, but the owners would consider referral to an animal behaviourist were the dog to develop a behavioural problem) seen at a veterinary practice that referred to each animal behaviourist. After adjustment for confounding factors using multivariable logistic regression, case dogs were more likely to be younger than controls (P?0.001); less likely to be obtained at six (OR?=?0.27, 95 per cent CI?=?0.09 to 0.85, P?=?0.03), nine (OR?=?0.22, 95 per cent CI?=?0.06 to 0.80, P?=?0.02) or 10 weeks (OR?=?0.35, 95 per cent CI?=?0.12 to 1.01, P?=?0.05), than eight weeks; more likely for the owner to have seen only one parent (OR?=?2.49, 95 per cent CI?=?1.15 to 5.37, P?=?0.02) than both parents, and more likely to have not seen either parent (OR?=?3.82, 95 per cent CI?=?1.12 to 12.97, P?=?0.03) than both. Advice to 'see the mother' has been shown to be partly scientifically accurate in relation to future unwanted behavioural problems among dogs; in fact, it may be better for prospective owners to be recommended to view both parents. |
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