Alexandra Protopopova

Activity-based environmental enrichment is known to benefit the welfare of shelter dogs, yet individual preferences remain understudied. This thesis aims to address the gap in measuring enrichment efficacy, investigate if preference tests can identify individual preferences for activity-based enrichment, and compare these findings to behavioural outcomes. I conducted two experimental procedures to assess shelter dogs’ behaviour: a preference test and a behavioural evaluation. In the preference test, six dogs were asked to repeatedly (3-4 trials/day) enter a T-maze, choosing between an off-leash play yard and an on-leash walking trail for 10 minutes each. Preference was assessed using a binomial distribution test against a 50% baseline (α = .05). To validate preferences and assess the dogs' ability to track contingencies, a control phase was introduced, where the preferred exit led to the kennel and the alternate to the preferred enrichment. In the behavioural evaluation, three dogs underwent two additional sessions in both the yard and the trail. Their exploratory and stress-associated behaviours were recorded 10 minutes before, during, and immediate after each session, and scored in every five-second bin by an independent observer and myself. Due to the small sample size, no statistical analyses were undertaken. My observations focused on changes in stress-associated behaviours and differences in exploratory behaviours, visually represented on graphs. Preference could be determined for four dogs (n = 21 trials): Aerial (P(X≥17) = .004, Sky (P(X≥16) = .013), and Timber (P(X≥14) = .015) preferred the yard, while Beau (P(X≥16) = .013) preferred the trail, each averaging 10 trials. Allara (P(X≥13) = .190) and Gina (P(X≥13) = .190) showed no distinct preference. In the control phase, Allara’s preference for the kennel suggested potential influences such as weather, past history, or difficulty in choice discrimination. Conversely, Gina’s choices for the trail demonstrated her ability to track contingencies. Results from the behavioural evaluation revealed increased exploratory behaviours during preferred enrichment but varied changes in stress-associated behaviours post-enrichment. While dogs’ preferences for activity-based environmental enrichment can be identified through preference tests, the access to these preferences does not always align with positive behavioural outcomes.

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The international movement of dogs has garnered considerable attention in recent years due to its rapid growth in popularity and occurrence on a global scale. Estimates suggests over 1 million dogs were imported into the United States (US) and over 300,000 dogs to the United Kingdom each year before 2021. Although the official number of dogs arriving at Canada is unknown, Canadian local professionals reported that at least 6,000 dogs were imported in 2013. Zoonotic disease risks and concerns associated with illegal dog import activities, has led US and Canada placing a temporary suspension on all commercial importation of dogs arriving from non-rabies free countries. The importation of dogs has also been associated with concerns for the dog’s behaviour given lack of knowledge on the animal’s backgrounds. To understand the potential implications of commercial dog importation on the owners, the first objective of my thesis was to investigate the effect of dog’s source on the owner-dog relationship. Two independent surveys were sent to dog owners in British Columbia to examine owner-reported assessments of their Canadian vs non-Canadian sourced dogs. I found no evidence of owner-reported poorer welfare for non-Canadian dogs. The second objective of my thesis was to understand why Canadian dog rescue organizations engaged in international dog rescue, and to explore common challenges faced in their line of work. To explore the perspectives of members from this community, I interviewed representatives of Canadian-based international dog rescue organizations. The views of my participants indicated that they were driven by a strong desire to help, but faced logistical and societal barriers that made the development of local rescue partnerships more challenging. Rescue members voiced concerns regarding stigma associated with their work, and expressed a lack of support from other stakeholders. I conclude that imported rescue dogs can be successfully adopted into homes in Canada, but more efforts can be made to support individual rescue organizations that engage in dog import.

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