Influence of Sex of Stranger on Responses of Shelter Dogs during Canine Behavioral Evaluations

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Dogs are often less comfortable around unfamiliar men than unfamiliar women, yet most studies of stranger-directed aggression have not examined whether the sex of the stranger is a risk factor. We analyzed data collected by staff at a NY shelter to determine whether dogs responded differently to unfamiliar men and unfamiliar women during the Stranger test of the behavioral evaluation. Of the 283 dogs tested, 26 were undersocialized and from the same home; 19.2% were assessed as showing no concerning behavior during the Stranger test. Of the 257 remaining dogs, 89.9% were assessed as showing no concerning behavior. Dogs tested with a male stranger (n = 55) had significantly higher scores on the test, indicating greater uneasiness, than dogs tested with a female stranger (n = 202). However, the mean score for dogs tested with a male stranger (2.2) fell within the range of scores considered not concerning by the shelter (1–3). In summary, we found that the sex of a stranger influenced dog responses during the Stranger test, but in practice, our findings do not indicate that changes are needed in how shelters conduct or interpret tests for stranger-directed aggression. Our findings also underscore the importance of socialization for dogs. ABSTRACT: In many situations, domestic dogs display greater uneasiness with unfamiliar men than unfamiliar women. However, little is known about whether the sex of an unfamiliar person is a risk factor for stranger-directed aggression, especially with respect to behaviors less intense than biting. We analyzed data collected by behavioral staff over a 27-month period (n = 283 dogs) at a New York shelter to determine whether the sex of an unfamiliar person influenced behaviors assessed during the Stranger test of the canine behavioral evaluation. Scores ranged from 1 (calm and friendly) to 5 (will not approach stranger or unsafe to allow an approach). No concerning behaviors (scores 1–3) were assessed for 19.2% of 26 undersocialized dogs from one home and 89.9% of the remaining 257 dogs. Within the group of 257, those tested with a male stranger had significantly higher scores than those tested with a female stranger; the effect size was small to moderate. Thus, we found that dogs responded differently to male and female strangers during this testing situation, but from a practical standpoint, our findings do not warrant adjustments in how shelters conduct or interpret tests for stranger-directed aggression. Our findings also highlight the importance of early exposure to different people and situations for dogs.