Functional Behavior Assessment with Guide Dogs in Training: A Feasibility Study
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Authors
Funk, Janie
Issue Date
2020
Type
Dissertation
Language
Keywords
Functional Assessment for the Behavior of Dogs , functional behavior assessment , guide dog , puppy raising
Alternative Title
Abstract
Guide dogs are an important resource for the community with visual impairment. Despitethe many resources allocated towards preparing the dogs for their guide dog career, guide
dog training organizations report over half of dogs in the training program fail to meet
behavioral standards required to serve as a guide dog. Guide dogs are trained in a
complex system making it difficult to pinpoint the primary contributor or contributors to
poor training outcomes. However, the puppy-raising period has been identified in the
literature as a period during which puppies begin to engage in behaviors that threaten
their suitability as a guide dog. The present research evaluated the treatment utility and
feasibility of a descriptive functional behavior assessment for puppy raisers’ management
of undesired puppy behavior that could threaten the puppy’s eligibility to serve as a guide
dog. Psychoeducation was provided as a second-tier intervention when implementing the
assessment-informed intervention did not result in the desired behavior change. Four
participants completed the study. The assessment informed a successful intervention for
three of the four participants. Psychoeducation was provided to one participant, though
the puppy raiser’s poor treatment integrity prevented evaluation of the effects of
psychoeducation as a separate intervention. Results suggest utility of functional
assessment of puppy behavior and assessing puppy raisers’ compliance to organizational
training protocols. Implementation of assessment-informed behavioral intervention is an
important step towards data-based decisions regarding the puppies’ best interest with
respect to continuing the career path of a guide dog.