부산대학교 도서관

Some dogs entering shelters exhibit extreme fearfulness, often after experiencing cruelty or neglect. Dogs displaying extreme fearfulness are difficult to assess and treat using the tools and protocols available in most shelters. Without effective treatment, these dogs have an unacceptably poor quality of life and are unlikely to be successfully adopted. Treatment protocols using behavior modification techniques such as desensitization, counterconditioning and operant conditioning were developed to reduce fear of stimuli that pet dogs typically experience in adoptive homes. From 2013–2020, outcomes were recorded for dogs that went through this behavioral rehabilitation program. The graduation rate from the program was 86 % (380/441). Graduated dogs spent an average of 96 (SD=55) days in the program, experiencing an average of 78 specific treatment sessions. They showed a significant improvement in behavior in a standardized behavior assessment (df=440, t = 28.3836, p = 0.001) before meeting criteria for placement. Once offered for adoption, they had a 99 % adoption rate and a 96 % adopter satisfaction rate. These results indicate that an appropriately designed behavioral rehabilitation program for dogs displaying extreme fear in a shelter setting can prove highly successful, resulting in improved quality of life and reduced need for behavioral euthanasia. • Dogs subject to neglect, abuse, and/or severe under-socialization may develop moderate to extreme fearfulness • Moderate to extreme fearfulness, especially of humans and home environments, significantly impacts quality of life, impairs adoption from animal shelters, and increases the risk of euthanasia • A behavioral rehabilitation program incorporating desensitization and counterconditioning graduated 86 % of dogs with a 99 % adoption rate • Increasing the availability of rehabilitation may contribute to reducing euthanasia of dogs for behavioral reasons, particularly those from cruelty cases, puppy mills, and hoarding situations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]