Evaluation of association between retention in the home and attendance at puppy socialization classes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate associations between retention of dogs in their adoptive homes and attendance at puppy socialization classes and other factors.


METHODS
Epidemiologic survey.


METHODS
248 adult dogs that were adopted as puppies from a humane society.


METHODS
Owners completed questionnaires regarding demographics, retention of the dogs in the homes, and the dogs' early learning events.


RESULTS
Higher retention in the homes was reported for dogs that participated in humane society puppy socialization classes, were female, wore headcollars as puppies, were handled frequently as puppies, were more responsive to commands, slept on or near the owner's bed, or lived in homes without young children.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest several practices that veterinarians may recommend to enhance the likelihood that puppies will remain in their first homes, such as enrolling 7- to 12-week-old puppies in early learning and socialization classes. The lower rate of retention of dogs in homes with children emphasizes the importance of helping owners develop realistic expectations, knowledge, and effective tools to manage interactions between their children and dogs.
Duxbury
Margaret M
MM
Center to Study Human Animal Relationships and Environments, College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Jackson
Julie A
JA
Line
Scott W
SW
Anderson
Robert K
RK
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010067:Ownership; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014886:Weaning