Pandemic's Paw-sitive and Negative Impacts on Canine Behaviour Revealed in Landmark Study

A comprehensive study analysing data from over 47,000 dogs has shed light on how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced canine behaviour. Researchers from Virginia Tech and the University of Washington, as part of the Dog Aging Project, tracked behavioural changes from 2020 to 2023, revealing surprising adaptability alongside specific challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Dogs demonstrated remarkable overall adaptability to pandemic-related changes in routines and environments.
• Trainability scores saw a notable decline, particularly for dogs adopted during the pandemic.
• Factors like a dog's life stage, sex, and size influenced their behaviour.

A Glimpse into Canine Adaptability

Despite the significant shifts in human routines and environments during the pandemic, the study found that dogs, as a whole, remained surprisingly consistent in their behavioural profiles. Researchers analysed owner-reported data focusing on fear, attention, excitability, aggression, and trainability. While individual factors such as a dog's age, sex, and size played a role in their behaviour, the overall behavioural patterns did not undergo substantial year-to-year changes during the pandemic period.

The Trainability Challenge

A key finding indicated a slight but significant decrease in trainability scores for dogs enrolled in the study after 2020. This dip is speculated to be linked to the unique circumstances of the pandemic. Increased pet adoptions meant more dogs entered homes during a time of widespread stress and disrupted routines. Many new owners may have had less time or fewer resources for consistent training, and puppies had reduced opportunities for crucial early socialisation. However, by 2023, trainability scores began to show signs of recovery, suggesting that as life stabilised, so did the dogs' ability to learn.

Factors Influencing Behaviour

The research also highlighted variations in behaviour based on several factors. Mixed-breed dogs, for instance, tended to score higher in fear, attention-seeking, and aggression compared to purebred dogs, potentially due to factors like shelter backgrounds or early life experiences. Smaller dogs were generally more fearful, aggressive, and less trainable than their larger counterparts. Puppies, while less fearful and aggressive, required more attention and were harder to train. Male dogs also exhibited more aggression and lower trainability than females.

Looking Ahead

This extensive dataset provides a crucial baseline for understanding canine behaviour over time. The Dog Aging Project plans to continue monitoring these dogs as they age, aiming to further explore the links between behaviour, health, geographical location, and environmental factors. This ongoing research will be invaluable for veterinarians and pet owners alike in promoting longer, healthier lives for dogs.

Sources

• Pandemic life left its mark on dogs, Popular Science.
• How the pandemic changed dog behavior over 3 years, Earth.com.