Objective: To use distance test (DT) to evaluate the behavioral and heart rate characteristics of Labrador dogs, in order to provide effective behavioral methods and physiological basis for the preliminary screening of guide dogs.
Methods: The 60 Labrador dogs (8-15 months old, 22 females, 38 males) used in this experiment were provided by the Dalian Training Base of China Guide Dogs. Among them, 30 of them passed the assessment after training and were deemed successful Among the trained guide dogs, the remaining 30 were deemed to be eliminated as unsuitable guide dogs. The three variables of interest in the distance test, exploration and game invitation are used for the behavioral test of the dog to monitor the heart rate changes in real time.
Result: The average heart rate change of the guide dog in the distance test was significantly lower than that of the eliminated dog (P<0.05). there="" was="" no="" significant="" difference="" in="" behavioral="" changes="" between="" guide="" dogs="" and="" eliminated="" exploration="" game="" invitation="" tests="" p="">0.05).
Conclusion: In the distance test, the heart rate of the guide dog is significantly lower than that of the eliminated dog. Compared with the eliminated dog, the guide dog has a more stable psychological quality and better ability to control emotions. This research can provide a theoretical basis for the combination of distance test and heart rate to predict the success rate of guide dog training.