Stellato, Jajou, Dewey, Widowski, and Niel (2019) investigated whether a structured desensitization and counter-conditioning (DCC) training program could reduce veterinary fear in dogs. The study included 37 companion dogs with pre-existing fear, divided into training (n = 15) and control (n = 22) groups.
Key findings include:
- Posture Improvement: Trained dogs showed less reduced posture during veterinary exams compared to controls (Odds ratio 3.79, CI: 1.03–16.3).
- Owner Perception: 86.7% of owners reported reduced fear levels over the training period.
- Lip Licking: Female trained dogs displayed more lip licking, a possible stress indicator, when entering the clinic and during exams.
- Physiological Measures: No significant effects were observed on heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, or willingness to step on the scale.
The results suggest that this four-week program was only mildly effective. While behavioral indicators showed mixed outcomes, owners perceived improvements, highlighting the potential value of DCC as part of broader fear-reduction strategies. The authors recommend further research on longer, more intensive, and individualized training programs to better address veterinary fear in dogs.
Source: Stellato, A., Jajou, S., Dewey, C., Widowski, T., & Niel, L. (2019). Effect of a Standardized Four-Week Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning Training Program on Pre-Existing Veterinary Fear in Companion Dogs. Animals, 9. Authors: Alexandra Stellato, Samar Jajou, Cate Dewey, Tina Widowski, Lily Niel. Journal: Animals.
