CASE STUDY 'D'
Breed: Cocker Spaniel Gender: Female
Age: Young
Length of stay: Short-term
INFORMATIVE STATEMENT
Throughout the day, I surveyed and documented Case Study 'D's behaviour within a kennel environment, followed by when relocated into a more natural environment, away from the shelter. Delegated to walking the dogs, I was able to obtain personal one-to-one observation with the selected Case Studies.
To ensure accuracy of my results, I visited my Case Studies throughout the duration of the day in two hour intervals. Despite trying to remain at a distance as to not disrupt their natural behaviour within their environment, due to the linear and systematic layout, it proved extremely difficult to undertake observations without making my presence known to the animals. Nonetheless, my presence did not cause any additional distress, and in some cases appeared to implement comfort and reassurance. Similarly, I feel it did not directly affect my results.
RESULTS In-Kennel
Short-visit one (10.30am): As her kennel was directly at the beginning of her block, she would always be able to see me whilst I observed her. Jumping up and down in excitement, very loose happy behaviour, eyes alert and content.
Short-visit two (12.30pm): Repeatedly wagging her tail, jumping up and down. Eyes bright and content. Excitable puppy-like behaviour.
Short-visit three (2.30pm): Running in and out of the kennel through the excitement of visitors walking past the outside runs.
On every short in-kennel visit made, Case Study ‘D’s behaviour from afar displayed behaviour of content, eagerly walking the stretch of the inside and outside runs, tag wagging and alert. When approaching Case Study ‘D’s kennel, once my presence was known extreme excitement occurred, her whole body began to wiggle in excitement, stemming excited running at the prospect of a walk. Once in the kennel, her behaviour towards human presence was extremely receptive and friendly.
The surrounding kennel environment, including the constraints of a kennel and sudden uproars of barking did not appear to phase her.
Out-of-Kennel
Positive and animated behaviour does not change when removed from the kennel environment. Remains completely un-phased by anything around her, including all noise from metal caging and dog barking accompanied with leaving the kennel environment. The serene atmosphere of nature, experienced when on the walk, does not inflict any negative or positive changes in her behaviour.
Her actions are different on the walk as there are more elements for her inquisitive instincts to explore, however this is not a change in mental state or behaviour, as this is also displayed within a kennel environment as per my observations.
EVALUATIVE THOUGHTS It is apparent that Case Study 'D' is not portraying any of the common behaviours negatively associated with a kennel environment. On the contrary, her mentality appears to remain upbeat regardless of her surroundings. She is very hyperactive and excitable, nonetheless this does not portray excitability through e.g. social deprivation, but I believe it just a result from her friendly nature.