Social facilitation of predatory, sheep-chasing behaviour in Norwegian Elkhounds, grey.

Sheep grazing on unfenced mountain pasture may be attacked by loose dogs, which may chase and kill sheep and separate lambs from their mothers. We have earlier shown that testing dogs individually towards sheep with an electronic dog collar may effectively reduce the chasing propensity 1 year later. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how a non-chasing and a chasing companion dog influence sheep chasing in test dogs (20 Norwegian Elkhounds, grey), and whether this varies with sex or age. The test dogs' predatory behaviour towards sheep was examined by observation of the dogs in a fenced enclosure with sheep in 5min tests together with, first, a non-chasing (Hamilton stoever, a hound breed) and 2-3 days later a chasing (Border collie) companion dog. Physical contact with sheep was prevented. Initially, the test dogs exhibited a higher chasing motivation towards sheep in tests with a chasing, as compared with a non-chasing, companion (P<0.001). During the entire test, 60% of the dogs attacked sheep when accompanied by the non-chaser. All dogs attacked sheep when the chasing companion was present (P=0.008), although in only 8 of 20 cases the companion dog chased simultaneously with the test dog. In the chasing-companion tests, the attack latency was shorter (P<0.001) than in tests with a non-chasing companion. The attack severity was higher when attacking alone than when attacking together with the chasing companion (P=0.033). In these tests, the higher the attack severity, the shorter was the attack latency (P=0.006). A sequence analysis on chasing-companion tests showed that test dogs generally started with observing or showing interest in sheep, followed by attacks, which increased in severity. No sex differences were observed. In non-chasing companion tests, dogs aged up to 2.5 years exhibited a weaker initial hunting motivation than older dogs (P=0.025), but during the entire test were more inclined to attack (P=0.019). Taken together, our findings indicate that a companion dog showing intentions of predatory behaviour stimulates predatory chase in another dog, while a non-chasing companion has a limited influence on this. In tests certifying dogs for their refrainment of chasing sheep, well trained Border collies approaching sheep on command might be used to reveal the full predatory potential of the dog being tested.

Behavioural differences between three breed groups of hunting dogs confronted with domestic sheep.

When running free in open fields, domestic dogs occasionally display predatory behaviour towards domestic sheep. This has not yet been studied scientifically. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inclination to chase sheep in three breed groups of hunting dogs that are most frequently used in areas with grazing sheep. We studied 41 elkhounds, 29 hare hunting dogs and 68 English setters. Behaviours indicative of motivation for chasing or attacking sheep were examined in three different ways. A path test examined functional traits such as hunting ability, contact willingness, reactivity to sudden noise, and response towards a lone sheep. In a sheep confrontation test, loose-leashed dogs were observed in a fenced enclosure with sheep and given electric shocks through an electronic dog collar if within 1-2m from the sheep. A questionnaire to the dog owners supplied information on their dog's previous experience with sheep and behavioural responses to various types of novel stimuli. No significant sex differences were found. The elkhounds showed the highest interest in a lone sheep in the path test, and displayed the highest initial hunting motivation, the highest percentage of dogs starting a sheep attack, the highest attack severity, and were most frequently given el. shocks. The hare hunting dogs were intermediate, while setters showed the lowest values for these variables. Dogs reported as showing low fearfulness more frequently acted as potential sheep chasers in the tests. Dogs up to 3 years of age showed a more pronounced initial hunting motivation and more frequent attacks than older dogs, although there were no age differences in the number of el. shocks given in the test. The latter may be related to the more frequent abruption of attacks among younger dogs. The main factors predicting a high hunting motivation and attack severity were lack of previous opportunity to chase sheep, low fearfulness towards gunshots and unfamiliar people, and general interest in sheep shown when encountering them. Probability of sheep chasing differed between dog breeds and age groups. Previous experience and certain character traits were indicative of a high predatory motivation towards sheep.

Behavioural changes and aversive conditioning in hunting dogs by the second-year confrontation with domestic sheep.

Domesticated dogs occasionally exhibit predatory behaviour towards domestic sheep when running loose in pasture. Both young and old dogs of either sex may chase sheep. Electronic dog collars applying electric shocks are utilised as one method of training dogs to refrain from attacking sheep. This device is used for a number of other training purposes which have raised concern for the welfare of the dogs being trained. This study aims at testing long-term learning effects of previous sheep tests on sheep chasing in hunting dog breeds (Norwegian elkhounds (grey), English setters, and hare hunting dogs), in particular with use of electronic dog collars, in addition to uncovering potential secondary negative effects on dogs' behaviour and mental stability. The dogs (N=114) were subjected to three tests for two subsequent years, the second year being reported here. Dogs were tested for reactions to different stimuli, including a sheep, in a path test. In a sheep confrontation test, dogs were fenced in with a sheep group and given el. shocks when approaching 1-2m from sheep. A questionnaire to the dog owners reported differences in dogs' behaviour between the years.Dogs showed weaker or delayed behavioural responses in both tests in the second year. No dogs showed interest in or attacked a lone sheep in the path test in the second year, while almost two thirds of them did so the first year. In the sheep confrontation test, the dogs exhibited comparatively hesitant initial hunting motivation the second year, being more evident in dogs which received el. shocks the first year. No dogs chased or attacked sheep as their first response in this test, while half of them did so the first year. The proportion of dogs attacking sheep during the entire test was reduced to almost one fourth. The number of el. shocks administered reduced by the second year, and only one of the dogs that received el. shocks the first year received el. shocks the second year. The owners reported no negative effect on the dogs' behaviour during the year ensuing el. shock treatment. Eighteen of the 24 dogs reported by owners to exhibit behavioural changes lost their previous interest in sheep.The second-year tests indicate that aversive conditioning with the use of electronic dog collar may be an efficient method for reducing the probability of a dog chasing or attacking grazing sheep. No adverse effects were observed with our test procedure.