Claire Diederich | Université de Namur (University of Namur) (original) (raw)

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Papers by Claire Diederich

Research paper thumbnail of Les enjeux scientifiques : biodiversité, santé publique et bien-être animal

Research paper thumbnail of Adaptation of an existing behavior assessment tool for use in puppies

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Sep 1, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Physiological stress reactivity and recovery related to behavioral traits in dogs (Canis familiaris)

PLOS ONE, Sep 17, 2019

This study investigated whether stress responsiveness (in one context) can be used to predict dog... more This study investigated whether stress responsiveness (in one context) can be used to predict dog behavior in daily life. On two occasions (N T1 = 32 puppies; N T2 = 16 young adults), dogs' physiological stress response after a behavioral test at home was measured in terms of reactivity (10 min post-test) and recovery (40 min post-test) for three salivary markers: cortisol, chromogranin A (CgA) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). For each marker, it was determined whether dogs with a strong physiological response displayed different behavior in daily life compared to dogs with a weaker physiological response. The results revealed three main findings: first, for CgA and cortisol, different patterns were identified according to sample time. High reactivity related to desirable traits, whereas slow recovery after the behavioral test related to undesirable traits. The findings suggest that increased levels of CgA and cortisol 10 minutes after the behavioral test reflected an adaptive stress response, whereas elevated levels 40 minutes after the test reflected unsuccessful coping. Second, patterns for sIgA differed from CgA and cortisol: significant associations were only found with behavioral traits at T2, mostly considered desirable and related to Trainability. Possibly, the delayed reaction pattern of sIgA caused this difference between markers, as sIgA reflects the (secondary) immune response to stress, due to immunosuppressive effects of cortisol. Third, predictive capacity of puppies' physiological stress response (T1) was inconclusive, and contrary relations were found with behavioral traits at T2, suggesting that developmental factors play an important role. This study provides new insights about the relation between stress physiology and behavioral traits, and methodological advice is given to study these patterns further. In conclusion, physiological markers could provide additional insights in dogs' tendencies to display certain behaviors, especially at the young adult stage. Further studies are needed to confirm these patterns.

Research paper thumbnail of Validity of veterinarians' assessment of dog behaviour during a clinical exam

Research paper thumbnail of Adjuvant Transrectal Ultrasound Hyperthermia for Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

Radiation Research: A Twentieth-century Perspective, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of Copycatting the smell of death: Deciphering the role of cadaveric scent components used by detection dogs to locate human remains

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Human remains detection dogs (HRDD) are commonly used by law enforcement agencies to search for c... more Human remains detection dogs (HRDD) are commonly used by law enforcement agencies to search for cadavers. Biological material is typically used as a training stimulus, also called aids, to train dogs to recognize the smell of cadavers. While HRDD training approaches have received extensive attention, information remains limited on the olfactory cues used to train them. Here, we aimed to decipher the chemical basis of detection dog olfaction. Five specific objectives were explored to precise whether the composition or the concentration of the training aids drives the HRDDs responses. We recorded the behavioral responses of four HRDDs exposed to different cadaveric‐like smells. We found that HRDDs recognized a simplified synthetic aid composed of cadaveric compounds. The lowest concentration at which HRDDs continued to perceive the cadaveric smell was determined. HRDDs were not impacted by slight modifications to the chemical composition of a blend of odors that they have been trained...

Research paper thumbnail of Assessing efficiency of a new behavioural modification programme on fearfulness and aggressiveness of military dogs

Research paper thumbnail of Test validation for AAI adult dogs

Research paper thumbnail of Selecting valid pictures for the assessment of inter-rater agreement on canine communication signals

Research paper thumbnail of De l'homme et des animaux : l'entente (im)parfaite

Research paper thumbnail of Influence of handlers' behaviour on behaviour of working dogs and their efficiency

Research paper thumbnail of The men-dogs collisions: the example of the guard dog in the Belgian Armed Forces

Research paper thumbnail of Quelle politique pour les chats? Le cas de la Belgique Francophone (Région Wallonnne)

Research paper thumbnail of Une application pour iPad intégrée dans un processus de recherche pour évaluer un programme de prévention des morsures de chien

Research paper thumbnail of PEACE: An Educational Program Based on Empathy and Theory of Mind Competencies to Promote Safe Relationships Between Preschool Children and Dogs in Order to Prevent Dog Bites

Research paper thumbnail of What a good boy! Deciphering the efficiency of detection dogs

Frontiers in Analytical Science

Dogs have a powerful olfactory system, which is used in many areas of the police and military to ... more Dogs have a powerful olfactory system, which is used in many areas of the police and military to detect drugs, human remains, and explosives, among other items. Despite these powerful detection abilities, methods assessing the performance (MAP) of dogs remain scarce, and have never been validated. In particular, scientific knowledge on post-training performance assessments is scarce. To validate a quantitative MAP, an efficient detection dog (DD) must first be defined. Here, we aimed to define what an efficient DD is, and to develop a quantitative MAP. Specifically, we conducted 1) an international survey sent to professional DD practitioners (n = 50), and 2) an experimental assay on cadaver and drug DDs (n = 20). Based on the survey, efficient DDs were defined as confident animals, making few mistakes, alerting to the presence of target odors as close as possible, able to strategically screen the search area effectively, independent and not easily distracted. The developed quantita...

Research paper thumbnail of Les chiens de recherche de restes humains et les reliques de la mort - enquête et revue de la littérature sur les procédures de sélection et d'entrainement

Human remains detection dogs (HRDDs) are powerful police assets to locate a corpse. However, the ... more Human remains detection dogs (HRDDs) are powerful police assets to locate a corpse. However, the methods used to select and train them are as diverse as the number of countries with such a canine brigade. First, a survey sent to human remains searching brigades (Ncountries = 10; NBrigades = 16; NHandlers = 50; Nquestions = 9), to collect their working habits confirmed the lack of optimized selection and training procedures. Second, a literature review was performed in order to outline the strengths and shortcomings of HRDDs training. A comparison between the scientific knowledge and the common practices used by HRDDs brigade was then conducted focusing on HRDDs selection and training procedures. We highlighted that HRDD handlers select their dogs by focusing on behavioral traits while neglecting anatomical features, which have been shown to be important. Most HRDD handlers reported to use a reward-based training, which is in accordance with training literature for dogs. Training aid...

Research paper thumbnail of Bengal and savannah hybrid cats: do they behave differently from other domestic cats?

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Canine behavioural assessment: validation of an adapted questionnaire for use in puppies

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of accident reports of canine bites, in the Belgian defence

Cette analyse etudie l'incidence des morsures canines au sein de la Defense belge pendant une... more Cette analyse etudie l'incidence des morsures canines au sein de la Defense belge pendant une periode de 7 annees et tente d'en determiner les causes. Les donnees proviennent des rapports d'accidents, conserves par le service veterinaire. Un total de 89 morsures a ete rapporte entre 1996 et 2002. Le niveau d'incidence est de 2.8 morsures pour 100 personnes. En comparant ces donnees aux resultats d'une enquete similaire aupres de l'armee francaise ( 1 ) , les auteurs concluent que de serieuses mesures doivent etre prises afin d'ameliorer la securite dans les zones militaires belges.

Research paper thumbnail of Les enjeux scientifiques : biodiversité, santé publique et bien-être animal

Research paper thumbnail of Adaptation of an existing behavior assessment tool for use in puppies

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Sep 1, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Physiological stress reactivity and recovery related to behavioral traits in dogs (Canis familiaris)

PLOS ONE, Sep 17, 2019

This study investigated whether stress responsiveness (in one context) can be used to predict dog... more This study investigated whether stress responsiveness (in one context) can be used to predict dog behavior in daily life. On two occasions (N T1 = 32 puppies; N T2 = 16 young adults), dogs' physiological stress response after a behavioral test at home was measured in terms of reactivity (10 min post-test) and recovery (40 min post-test) for three salivary markers: cortisol, chromogranin A (CgA) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). For each marker, it was determined whether dogs with a strong physiological response displayed different behavior in daily life compared to dogs with a weaker physiological response. The results revealed three main findings: first, for CgA and cortisol, different patterns were identified according to sample time. High reactivity related to desirable traits, whereas slow recovery after the behavioral test related to undesirable traits. The findings suggest that increased levels of CgA and cortisol 10 minutes after the behavioral test reflected an adaptive stress response, whereas elevated levels 40 minutes after the test reflected unsuccessful coping. Second, patterns for sIgA differed from CgA and cortisol: significant associations were only found with behavioral traits at T2, mostly considered desirable and related to Trainability. Possibly, the delayed reaction pattern of sIgA caused this difference between markers, as sIgA reflects the (secondary) immune response to stress, due to immunosuppressive effects of cortisol. Third, predictive capacity of puppies' physiological stress response (T1) was inconclusive, and contrary relations were found with behavioral traits at T2, suggesting that developmental factors play an important role. This study provides new insights about the relation between stress physiology and behavioral traits, and methodological advice is given to study these patterns further. In conclusion, physiological markers could provide additional insights in dogs' tendencies to display certain behaviors, especially at the young adult stage. Further studies are needed to confirm these patterns.

Research paper thumbnail of Validity of veterinarians' assessment of dog behaviour during a clinical exam

Research paper thumbnail of Adjuvant Transrectal Ultrasound Hyperthermia for Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

Radiation Research: A Twentieth-century Perspective, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of Copycatting the smell of death: Deciphering the role of cadaveric scent components used by detection dogs to locate human remains

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Human remains detection dogs (HRDD) are commonly used by law enforcement agencies to search for c... more Human remains detection dogs (HRDD) are commonly used by law enforcement agencies to search for cadavers. Biological material is typically used as a training stimulus, also called aids, to train dogs to recognize the smell of cadavers. While HRDD training approaches have received extensive attention, information remains limited on the olfactory cues used to train them. Here, we aimed to decipher the chemical basis of detection dog olfaction. Five specific objectives were explored to precise whether the composition or the concentration of the training aids drives the HRDDs responses. We recorded the behavioral responses of four HRDDs exposed to different cadaveric‐like smells. We found that HRDDs recognized a simplified synthetic aid composed of cadaveric compounds. The lowest concentration at which HRDDs continued to perceive the cadaveric smell was determined. HRDDs were not impacted by slight modifications to the chemical composition of a blend of odors that they have been trained...

Research paper thumbnail of Assessing efficiency of a new behavioural modification programme on fearfulness and aggressiveness of military dogs

Research paper thumbnail of Test validation for AAI adult dogs

Research paper thumbnail of Selecting valid pictures for the assessment of inter-rater agreement on canine communication signals

Research paper thumbnail of De l'homme et des animaux : l'entente (im)parfaite

Research paper thumbnail of Influence of handlers' behaviour on behaviour of working dogs and their efficiency

Research paper thumbnail of The men-dogs collisions: the example of the guard dog in the Belgian Armed Forces

Research paper thumbnail of Quelle politique pour les chats? Le cas de la Belgique Francophone (Région Wallonnne)

Research paper thumbnail of Une application pour iPad intégrée dans un processus de recherche pour évaluer un programme de prévention des morsures de chien

Research paper thumbnail of PEACE: An Educational Program Based on Empathy and Theory of Mind Competencies to Promote Safe Relationships Between Preschool Children and Dogs in Order to Prevent Dog Bites

Research paper thumbnail of What a good boy! Deciphering the efficiency of detection dogs

Frontiers in Analytical Science

Dogs have a powerful olfactory system, which is used in many areas of the police and military to ... more Dogs have a powerful olfactory system, which is used in many areas of the police and military to detect drugs, human remains, and explosives, among other items. Despite these powerful detection abilities, methods assessing the performance (MAP) of dogs remain scarce, and have never been validated. In particular, scientific knowledge on post-training performance assessments is scarce. To validate a quantitative MAP, an efficient detection dog (DD) must first be defined. Here, we aimed to define what an efficient DD is, and to develop a quantitative MAP. Specifically, we conducted 1) an international survey sent to professional DD practitioners (n = 50), and 2) an experimental assay on cadaver and drug DDs (n = 20). Based on the survey, efficient DDs were defined as confident animals, making few mistakes, alerting to the presence of target odors as close as possible, able to strategically screen the search area effectively, independent and not easily distracted. The developed quantita...

Research paper thumbnail of Les chiens de recherche de restes humains et les reliques de la mort - enquête et revue de la littérature sur les procédures de sélection et d'entrainement

Human remains detection dogs (HRDDs) are powerful police assets to locate a corpse. However, the ... more Human remains detection dogs (HRDDs) are powerful police assets to locate a corpse. However, the methods used to select and train them are as diverse as the number of countries with such a canine brigade. First, a survey sent to human remains searching brigades (Ncountries = 10; NBrigades = 16; NHandlers = 50; Nquestions = 9), to collect their working habits confirmed the lack of optimized selection and training procedures. Second, a literature review was performed in order to outline the strengths and shortcomings of HRDDs training. A comparison between the scientific knowledge and the common practices used by HRDDs brigade was then conducted focusing on HRDDs selection and training procedures. We highlighted that HRDD handlers select their dogs by focusing on behavioral traits while neglecting anatomical features, which have been shown to be important. Most HRDD handlers reported to use a reward-based training, which is in accordance with training literature for dogs. Training aid...

Research paper thumbnail of Bengal and savannah hybrid cats: do they behave differently from other domestic cats?

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of Canine behavioural assessment: validation of an adapted questionnaire for use in puppies

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of accident reports of canine bites, in the Belgian defence

Cette analyse etudie l'incidence des morsures canines au sein de la Defense belge pendant une... more Cette analyse etudie l'incidence des morsures canines au sein de la Defense belge pendant une periode de 7 annees et tente d'en determiner les causes. Les donnees proviennent des rapports d'accidents, conserves par le service veterinaire. Un total de 89 morsures a ete rapporte entre 1996 et 2002. Le niveau d'incidence est de 2.8 morsures pour 100 personnes. En comparant ces donnees aux resultats d'une enquete similaire aupres de l'armee francaise ( 1 ) , les auteurs concluent que de serieuses mesures doivent etre prises afin d'ameliorer la securite dans les zones militaires belges.