Understanding canine stress is vital for ensuring the mental and physical wellbeing of dogs. In this cross-cultural study, Premathilaka, Semenova, and Kulikov (2023) evaluated how 99 dog owners from Sri Lanka and Russia perceive stressful situations and behavioral signs of stress in dogs.
Participants completed an online questionnaire that assessed their ability to identify stress-inducing scenarios and behavioral cues linked to stress. Findings revealed that while owners from both countries could readily recognize stressful situations (such as loud noises or unfamiliar environments), they struggled to correctly identify even the main behavioral stress indicators in dogs.
This gap in knowledge suggests that misunderstandings about canine behavior limit owners’ ability to recognize subtle signs of stress. Cultural differences in dog care practices between Sri Lanka and Russia were noted, but both groups shared the same difficulty in recognizing behavioral cues.
The study recommends the development of awareness and educational programs for dog owners to improve their recognition of stress-related behavior. Such initiatives could help enhance welfare and human–dog relationships by empowering owners to intervene early and reduce stress triggers in their pets.
Source: Premathilaka, M. A. H. T., Semenova, V., & Kulikov, E. V. (2023). Comparison between the perceptions of dog owners from Sri Lanka and Russia about the stressful situations and behavioural signs related to stress in dogs. THEORETICAL & APPLIED PROBLEMS OF AGRO-INDUSTRY. Published 2023.
