ABSTRACT

Purpose-bred dogs are generally conditioned to handling for study as well as husbandry procedures. The laboratory housing environment for dogs can vary from country to country and from stainless steel to caging racks or wall-hung cages, kennel/run type enclosures, open room concept, and access to play rooms and/or outdoor spaces. In the laboratory environment, dogs may also have limited control over potential stressors, i.e., stimuli that disrupt homeostasis and elicit a stress response. Providing enrichment with a focus on individual dogs calls for “a toolbox” with several categories of enrichment and various items in each category. Dogs should ideally be habituated to all standard procedures they will come across during their stay in the facility. Optimal ways of working with laboratory dogs include investing in quality human interaction, utilizing positive reinforcement strategies for training, and providing opportunities for the dog to have a choice and some control over his/her environment.