Dogs

Dogs, generally are social animals and this is recognised in the codes of practice in demanding that social contact, canine and human, should be a priority in the care of dogs. Prolonged single housing of dogs must be minimised but if it is unavoidable then additional daily human contact must be provided.

The animal technicians that care for the animals go to great lengths to enrich the environment in which the animals live and provide lots of human and canine contact.

Unless the research programme demands otherwise dogs are usually housed in socially compatible groups or pairs but as dogs have different temperaments the pens must be sufficiently large to allow a shy or nervous dog to retreat from the front of the pen. This degree of socialisation, the provision of toys and chews and periods when the dogs play in large groups helps the development of a relaxed and friendly dog.