Understanding canine emotions remains a challenge due to the complex interplay of behavior, environment, and individual variability. In a recent study published in the Russian Journal of Veterinary Pathology, Avilov et al. (2023) designed a technological solution to bridge this gap. Their device aims to objectively register and classify signs of anxious or aggressive behavior in dogs by analyzing intervalograms and spectrograms of vocalizations.
The researchers collected 250 vocalization recordings from dogs in Rostov-on-Don between spring and autumn 2021. The core of the system uses an Arduino microcontroller with noise sensors to measure signal amplitude and duration. Timers and event counters were implemented to track the frequency and length of vocal events. A custom program flashes the microcontroller and categorizes vocalizations in real time.
The prototype delivers data to a Telegram chatbot, reporting on dog activity, detected anxiety, and even ambient temperature. The system can identify behavior patterns associated with anxiety, providing unbiased, traceable information crucial for understanding and potentially correcting behavioral disorders.
This innovation holds potential for future use in urban monitoring systems or multi-species behavior tracking platforms. By standardizing the assessment of canine emotional states, the device offers a breakthrough in both veterinary science and companion animal welfare technology.
Source: A. V. Avilov, A. S. Fomina, P. G. Skubak, T. K. Krakhmalev, A. M. Ermakov. “Development of a Device for Assessing the Emotional State of Companion Dogs Based on the Analysis of Vocalizations Associated with Anxiety and Barking.” Russian Journal of Veterinary Pathology, 2023-10-24.
