Educational Apps and Dog Behavioural Problem Prevention: Associations Between the Zigzag Dog-Training App and Behavioural Problems

TL;DR

Using the Zigzag dog-training app is linked to fewer behavioral problems in dogs, such as aggression and house soiling, suggesting educational apps may help improve dog behavior.

Contribution

This study is the first to show that using a dog-training app is associated with reduced severity of specific behavioral problems in dogs.

Findings

App use was associated with reduced severity of aggression toward familiar people, house soiling, chewing, barking, escape behavior, and noise fear.

19 out of 21 odds ratio estimates suggested lower severity of problematic behaviors with increased app completion.

There was no evidence that the app increased behavioral severity.

Abstract

It is important that puppies receive a good start to life to mitigate the risks of problematic behaviours developing. To achieve this, owner education is vital, and electronic applications (apps) provide a way to increase owner accessibility to welfare-friendly educational material. We therefore assessed associations between use of an educational dog behaviour app (Zigzag Dog Training app) and the development of a range of problematic behaviours. We found that app use was associated with a reduction in the severity of a number of problematic behaviours, most notably less aggressive behaviour toward familiar people, house soiling, chewing, barking, escape behaviour, and noise fear. Many other behaviour associations were favourable, but the sample was too small to draw reliable conclusions for them. Although this study cannot demonstrate a direct causal effect, it provides the first evidence of the potential value of well-designed educational dog behaviour apps and supports the need for further investigation.

Behavioural problems in dogs are a major welfare concern for both dogs and owners, which can lead to relinquishment or euthanasia. As such, it is important to find ways to minimize the risk of development or severity of problematic behaviour. Such interventions should ideally occur early in the dog’s development and need to be widely and easily accessible. One way to implement such interventions, given modern smart phone use, is via an educational application (app). Here, we conducted a cross-sectional observational study where we sought to estimate associations between use of the Zigzag dog-training app (Zigzag Pet Care Services Ltd.) and the development and severity of problematic behaviours. We focused on a subset of the survey population (n = 367) who did no training at all (n = 194) or only used the app (did not attend formal classes or in person training; n = 173). Proportional odds ordinal logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for a range of behaviours as a function of percentage completion of the first four chapters of the app while controlling for age, sex, health, and where the puppy was from. While sample sizes were relatively small and confidence intervals wide, 19 out of 21 odds ratio point estimates were in favour of severity being lower with increasing Zigzag app completion (the remaining 2 were marginally above 1). There was no good evidence that Zigzag increased the severity of any behaviours. On the contrary, there was reasonable evidence against the null hypothesis of no association in favour of Zigzag reducing the severity of familiar aggression, house soiling, chewing, barking, escaping, and noise fear. While causal effects cannot be claimed, overall, the reported associations are favourable and suggest that further study is warranted.

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