Webinar – 5/9/24 – Maddie’s Insights: Impact of Classical Counterconditioning (Quiet Kennel Exercise) on Barking in Shelter Dogs – Maddie’s Fund
VirtualMaddie's Fund Presents: A major welfare concern in animal shelters is excessive barking from kenneled dogs. This contributes to noise pollution, can cause hearing damage, and has a negative impact on all animals within earshot. This study demonstrated that by implementing a simple classical counterconditioning exercise, consisting of instructing all ward passers-through to toss treats to each dog regardless of behavior exhibited, could change the emotional state of dogs from negative to more positive, thus reducing fear and frustration that often leads to excessive barking.