Researchers at the University of Helsinki recently examined hyperactivity (过分好动) and inattention in more than 11, 000 Finnish pet dogs. They found that the dog’s age and gender, as well as exposure to other dogs, played a part.
“We wanted to collect a large behavioral data of dogs to better understand behavior problems that are common in our companion dogs. We studied seven characteristics: noise sensitivity, fearfulness, fear of surfaces and heights, inattention, compulsive behavior, separation – related behavior, and aggression,” says Sini Sulkama, a researcher at the University of Helsinki.
Their goal was to identify demographic (人口统计的), environmental, and behavioral risk factors that could influence these anxiety - related characteristics in dogs. Their analysis showed that hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention were more common in young dogs and male dogs. They also found some major differences among breeds.
Interestingly, researchers discovered that the owner’s experience with dogs also had an impact. They found that hyperactivity and impulsivity are more common in dogs that aren’t their owners’ first dogs. “We can only conclude the possible relationship between these factors, but one possible explanation is that people try to choose easy individuals from less active breeds, like companion dog breeds as their first dogs,” says Sulkama.
They also calculated the urban environmental score for each dog. That describes how the land is used around the dog’s current home, breaking it down into artificial surface, agricultural areas, forests, and semi natural areas.
Although it might seem like most dogs are easily distracted to some extent, studies suggest that about 15% of dogs display high levels of hyperactivity and 20% show high levels of inattention. Researchers say they can make it easier to identify and treat dogs’ hyperactivity and inattention and may benefit the research. They can also be helpful when choosing to add a dog to the family. You might want to adopt a pet with the characteristics of a breed that matches your lifestyle.
【小题1】What’s one of the factors causing dogs’ hyperactivity?| A．Their noise sensitivity. | B．Their owners’ character, |
| C．Their aggressive behavior. | D．Their exposure to other dogs. |
| A．The research content. | B．The research process. |
| C．The background of the study. | D．The composition of the research team. |
| A．Active dogs are less likely to suffer from hyperactivity. | B．People are sick of dogs with hyperactivity. |
| C．Hyperactivity in dogs is transmitted by their owners. | D．People’s first pet dog is often less active. |
| A．To understand dogs’ behavioral problems. | B．To collect a large behavioral data of dogs. |
| C．To help a company promote pet supplies. | D．To research dogs’ mental health. |
