Comparison of Stress Level Affected by Training Methods Using Salivary Cortisol Measurement in Dogs

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the reward-based training method and punishment-based training method among dog training methods through salivary cortisol concentration measurements. For canines to live among humans in a physically and healthy manner, socialization and basic obedience training are necessary. A number of training methods are available today. In this study, in order to investigate the differences in stress variation experienced by canines depending on the training method, the salivary cortisol level variations before (Sx-0) and after training sessions (Sx-1) were measured and compared. Dogs reward-based training facilities (test group R, n=10) and dogs in punishment-based training facilities (test group P, n=9) underwent 3 basic obedience training sessions (Sx, x=1, 2, 3), which included the commands sit, lie down, and wait. Saliva samples were collected by inducing the dogs to hold the swabs in their cheek pouches for 1 minute. Analysis of the samples was carried out using a high sensitivity salimetrics kit. After measuring the average optical density (O.D.) of each saliva sample, the calculated salivary cortisol concentration value was converted to ㎍/㎗. Result from the comparison of cortisol concentration variation before and after each training session for each test group showed that for S1, the salivary cortisol concentration variation before and after the session for test groups R and P were 0.037±0.030 ㎍/㎗ and 0.145±0.045 ㎍/㎗, respectively. The increase in cortisol concentration was significantly smaller for test group R and exhibited statistical significance (p<0.05). Similarly for S2, the salivary cortisol concentration variation before and after each training session for test groups R and P were –0.024±0.030 ㎍/㎗ and 0.132±0.102 ㎍/㎗, respectively. The increase in cortisol concentration of test group R was significantly smaller (p<0.1). For S3, the salivary cortisol concentration variation before and after each training session for test groups R and P were –0.108±0.077 ㎍/㎗ and –0.011±0.019 ㎍/㎗, respectively. Again, the smaller cortisol increase was seen in test group R, but it was not statistically significant. It was also found that in both groups, the degree of increase in salivary cortisol concentration reduced as each session repetition of the training was completed. In group R, the relationships between S1 and S2 as well as S1 and S3 were statistically significant (p<0.1). In group P, the relationships between S2 and S3 as well as S1 and S3 were statistically significant (p<0.05). Through this study, it was found that reward-based training methods resulted in substantially smaller stress increases after the training when compared to punishment-based training methods. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that reward-based training methods are more ethical and beneficial towards animal welfare. The finding of this study are expected to contribute to related future research.