Use of behavioural and physiological responses for scoring sound sensitivity in dogs

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200618
• Publication Date: 2018-08-01T13:33:01Z
• Authors: Carla Caroline Fr...; Daniel Penteado M...; Raquel Nascimento...; Magda Alves de Me...
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology); Sound exposure

Sound sensitive dogs have exaggerated responses to sound stimuli that can negatively impact the welfare of dog. Behavioural reactions combined with response involve a marked autonomic imbalance towards sympathetic predominance and release cortisol. The purpose present study was evaluate, in laboratory, cardiac modulation using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, serum cortisol levels behavioural parameters sounds fireworks history sensitivity fireworks. Based on these data, combining qualitative measures categorical measures, we propose one short full index dogs. Six privately owned no another twelve were used. stimulus consisted standardised recording (180-seconds long) peak intensity 103-104 dB. intervals recorded frequency meter (Polar® RS800CX model) evaluate HRV, acquired data processed CardioSeries 2.4.1 software. Twenty-one analysed quantitatively by time, or categorically scores grouped categories arousal, fear, relaxation "other". had exacerbated laboratory compared non-sensitive dogs, higher LF/HF ratios suggesting predominance, but similar between showed pronounced for parameters: alert attention, search sound, startle, trembling, hiding, run away less intense rest wink/sleep. Furthermore, (lack of) correlated caregiver's perception Not only (behavioural fear relaxation, ratio) also (all categories, levels) highly at home. These indexes contribute development strategies treat