Page 20 - Chiron Calling Spring 2017

Environmental enrichment methods
Enrichment Details
How and when enrichment was used
Number of MWD trialled
Aluminium-frame and PVC- frame Kuranda Dog Beds
Placed in outer kennel compartment as permanent kennel furniture. All 11 MWD already had a platform within the inner kennel compartment, used as a bed.
Chew toys stuffed with kibble
(Feeding enrichment providing mental stimulation)
KONG Stuff-a-Ball and KONG Extreme Toys, stuffed with wetted kibble
A single toy provided daily at 1400 and removed once MWD loses interest. Each MWD received a different toy each day to maintain their interest.
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Outward Hound Fun Feeders
Replaced standard metal feed bowl.
Playing of classical music
(Relaxing sounds which encourage resting)
Relaxing classical music CDs
Continuously played daily 0800 – 1700
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18 CHIRON CALLING
Impact of Kennel Enrichment on Military Working Dog Welfare: A Scienti c Study DSTL/PUB95195
Introduction
Welfare is generally de ned as an individual’s wellbeing, which incorporates both mental and physical health.
The welfare of kennelled Military Working Dogs (MWDs) needs to be maintained for both ethical and practical reasons; the latter referring speci cally to links between MWD welfare and MWD performance. Chronically stressed dogs are repeatedly shown to fail as guide dogs, can have signi cantly lower compliance with commands and bark more frequently in novel situations. As a result, the performance and length of service of a MWD can be compromised, if its welfare is poor.
Dstl were tasked with improving kennelled MWD welfare in 2015 and subsequently carried out a 5-week trial at a MWD site with the aim of improving the welfare of 11 kennelled MWD (2 Belgian Malinois, 4 German Shepherds and 5 Springer Spaniels).
Method
To improve MWD welfare, environmental enrichment was trialled with 11 MWD. Environmental enrichment is the provision of stimulating objects, odours, sounds and smells which physically and mentally stimulate an animal. The main purpose of environmental enrichment is to allow an animal to behave naturally in a restricted environment; the performance of natural behaviour is a basic component of good welfare.
Four environmental enrichment methods, detailed in Table 1, were provided by two members of kennel staff every day for four weeks. These environmental enrichment methods were chosen based on scienti c evidence of their ability to enhance the welfare of kennelled dogs (Rooney et al., 2009).
The impact of environmental enrichment on MWD welfare was measured by recording the duration of three behaviours, before the provision of enrichment and once per week after the provision of enrichment. These behaviours have been used in scienti c research as indicators of kennelled dog welfare:
• Repetitive behaviour: These behaviours include spinning, pacing and over-grooming. They are typically regarded as a sign of poor welfare and are an indication that the MWD is uncomfortable with their environment.
• Resting behaviour: Resting indicates a MWD is calm; resting is therefore typically regarded as a sign of good welfare.
• Interaction behaviour: Interaction behaviour is regarded as a sign of good welfare, as interaction provides MWD with mental stimulation.
Raised platforms
(Increases complexity of otherwise basic kennel environment)
Anti-gulp feed bowls
(Feeding enrichment providing mental stimulation and aims to improve digestion)
Results
Raised platforms: Five out of 11 MWD used the platforms on a regular basis to rest. Some MWD used the platform whilst interacting with the chew toy (Figure 1).
Chew toys stuffed with kibble: Kept all 11 MWD mentally stimulated for up to 60 minutes. Different toys should be used daily, to maintain MWD interest.
Anti-gulp feed bowls:
Increased average length of feeding time across six MWDs tested, from approximately 1 minute (when feed provided in a standard bowl) to 7 minutes.
Impact of classical music and platforms on repetitive behaviour: Repetitive behaviour reduced from 18% (18% = average percentage measured across 11 MWD) before enrichment provision, to 5% after enrichment provision (5% = average percentage measured across four weeks after enrichment provision, measured across 11 MWD).
Impact of classical music and platforms on resting behaviour: Resting behaviour increased from 33% (33% = average percentage measured across 11 MWD) before enrichment provision, to 49% (49% = average percentage measured across four weeks after enrichment provision, measured across 11 MWD).
Injury and illness: No MWD suffered injury as a result of this study and no biting incidents were reported.
One out of eleven MWD became aggressive during toy removal:
A MWD resting on a platform whilst interacting with a kibble- stuffed chew toy
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Table 1. Enrichment methods trialled by Dstl in the kennels of 11 MWD. Kuranda Dog Beds, KONG toys and Outward Hound Fun Feeders are all available for UK Military to purchase via Purchase to Payment on the VonWolf catalogue.
For any enquiries on these items, please contact: canineenquiries@dstl.gov.uk. Alternative products are available on the open market.