Impact of Androstenone on Leash Pulling and Jumping Up in Dogs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Behavior problems such as leash pulling and jumping up are common reasons given for relinquishing dogs to animal shelters. Interomones are chemical signals produced by one species that elicit an effect on a different species; this study examines the effects of androstenone (produced by boars) on dog leash pulling and jumping up behavior. Androstenone in spray form reduces leash pulling behavior compared to a control spray. This interomone may provide instant relief for behavioral problems and it may be used as a natural tool in conjunction with a training program to reduce unwanted behavior such as leash pulling. ABSTRACT: Dogs are relinquished to shelters due to behavioral problems, such as leash pulling and jumping up. Interomones are chemical cues produced by one species that elicit a response in a different species. We reported earlier that androstenone, a swine sex pheromone, acts as an interomone to reduce barking in dogs. Here we report two models using 10 dogs/study: a dog jumping and a dog walking model. For the leash-pulling model, each time the dog pulled on the leash the walker either did nothing (NOT), or sprayed the dog with water (H(2)O), androstenone + water (ANH), androstenone 0.1 µg/mL (AND1), or androstenone 1.0 µg/mL (AND2). The number of pulls during each walk was counted. For the jumping up model, each time the dog jumped the researcher did nothing (NOT), or sprayed the dog with H(2)O, ANH, AND1, or AND2. The number of jumps and the time between jumps were recorded. In Study 1, ANH, AND1, and AND2 each reduced leash pulling more than NOT and H(2)O (p < 0.01). In Study 2, all treatments were effective in reducing jumping up behavior. Androstenone reduced jumping up, but not beyond that elicited by a spray of water alone. We conclude that androstenone in multiple delivery vehicles reduced leash pulling. The burst of air intended as a disruptive stimulus in the correction sprays may be too harsh for more sensitive dogs, and as such use of these sprays is cautioned in these animals. For other dogs, this interomone can be used to stop some behavior immediately or as a part of a training program to reduce undesirable behavior.