Researchers surveyed 234 dogs to assess how physical activity influences canine behavior. Dogs were divided into an active group (AD) of 94 dogs that participated in sports and a sedentary group (SD) of 140 dogs. The questionnaire evaluated various behaviors, some associated with stress and frustration.
Compared to sedentary dogs, active dogs showed fewer instances of turning on themselves and mounting—behaviors sometimes linked to stress. The authors suggest that sports participation, especially those involving positive reinforcement such as agility, helps dogs develop self-control and frustration tolerance.
Agility-trained dogs, in particular, were significantly less aggressive toward other dogs, which the researchers attribute to improved intra-specific socialization during regular sporting events. However, active dogs also showed higher frequencies of chasing vehicles or persons and staring at objects. The authors note that this may partly be due to the high number of Border Collies in the sample, as such behaviors can be amplified by breed-specific traits.
The findings indicate that structured sports can have a positive influence on canine behavior, reducing certain undesirable stress-linked actions while enhancing social skills. The study also underscores the importance of considering breed tendencies when interpreting behavioral patterns.
Source: Zilocchi, M., Tagliavini, Z., Cianni, E., & Gazzano, A., Dog Behavior, August 1, 2016.
