Reduced heart rate variability in pet dogs affected by anxiety-related behaviour problems

Abstract

We present here the first evidence of correlation between canine anxiety-related behavioural problems and heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is known to be related to a range of mental disorders in humans; however this has not been explored in dogs. Behavioural problems in dogs can result in suffering, property destruction and human injury. Dog behaviour problems were assessed by owner questionnaire and the extreme high and low scoring dogs were recruited into either affected (n = 10) or unaffected (n = 20) groups. HRV was assessed in dogs at their homes, while being held in lateral recumbency for 5 min using manual restraint. Salivary cortisol samples were taken before and after HRV testing...