ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT IN KENNELS

Stephen G. King

ACTIVITY LEVELS

Dogs spend a considerable portion of their time inactive (Hubrecht et al. 1992, Adams and Johnson 1993). However, as an opportunist, the dog is adapted to seeking a wide variety of reinforcers in unpredictable locations. The dog is therefore much more likely to be interested in novel items items and circumstances than a more specialised feeder. On the other hand, a predictable and limiting environment may make these non-active periods boring and as such we see an overall decrease in interaction within the environment. The animals may lie down and sleep more, and spend significantly more time sitting. However, the dog is a very adaptable animal and a healthy adult can cope with a range of conditions, particularly if it has access to areas with different microclimates.

HOUSING

Today's modern Kennels are designed to give the animals security and provide them with a suitable habitat in a Temperate Zone. A good housing system should allow the dog to exercise an element of choice, to manipulate or chew safe objects, and provide opportunities for human and canine socialisation (Hubrecht 1993a). Dog kennels should be subdivided into separate sleeping and exercise areas which provide coolness (when body temperature is high), and warmth (when the body temperature is low), and allow the dog to defecate/urinate away from its sleeping area (Fox 1986). A good kennel design should allow the occupants to satisfy their natural curiosity about what is happening outside the enclosure. One solution is to provide platforms at a height that allows the dog to see over the partitions whilst lying down (Hubrecht 1993a). With the platform centred into the middle of the run, this can and should reduce any territorial behaviour at the fence. For a medium size dog, two to three foot off the ground is high enough and for larger breeds, the height should be matched to get the same elevation.

There have been a number of studies on the effects of exercise, and pen size (eg Campbell et al 1988, Hughes et al 1989, Bebak and Beck 1993, Hetts et al. 1992). There is no evidence that providing extra exercise per se improves welfare (Clark et al. 1991), although walks outside the enclosure are undoubtedly enjoyed.

THINGS DOGS LIKE AND WILL WORK FOR

Primary reinforcers are those which are immediately reinforcing and are simply reinforcing as a result of the dog's evolution as a species. These can include food, water, sexual stimulation, foraging, sniffing/scenting, attention, grooming, coolness (when body temperature is high), and warmth (when the body temperature is low). As these examples suggest, primary reinforcers often have to do with biological processes. Some primary reinforcers are not immediately obvious; for instance if you were a dog restrained in your home/kennel and cannot move about or get out, the chance of freedom can be very reinforcing.

Knowing what a dog likes and will work for is an important factor in having a stimulated dog; especially if the animal is kennelled and food is provided independent of its behaviour. Other behaviours might increase in the absence of the owner, to fill the free time. When undesirable behaviours tend to increase, boredom, anxiety and even aggression can be the result.

The types of problems incurred by kennel owners are chewing/destructive, barking/howling, pacing/hyper-active. Introverted behaviour such as sucking, licking and biting oneself. Paws, wrists and flank areas seem to be favourite spots to work on, although sometimes the root of its tail seems to be a target. Whether the kennel dog is bored, anxious or not, behavioural enrichment is required to keep the dog happy and healthy.