An evidence-based decision assistance model for predicting training outcome in juvenile guide dogs

Working dog organisations, such as Guide Dogs, need to regularly assess the behaviour of the dogs they train. In this study we developed a questionnaire-style behaviour assessment completed by training supervisors of juvenile guide dogs aged 5, 8 and 12 months old (n = 1,401), and evaluated aspects of its reliability and validity. Specifically, internal reliability, temporal consistency, construct validity, predictive criterion validity (comparing against later training outcome) and concurrent criterion validity (comparing against a standardised behaviour test) were evaluated. Thirty-nine questions were sourced either from previously published literature or created to meet requirements identified via Guide Dogs staff surveys and staff feedback. Internal reliability analyses revealed seven reliable and interpretable trait scales named according to the questions within them as: Adaptability; Body Sensitivity; Distractibility; Excitability; General Anxiety; Trainability and Stair Anxiety. Intra-individual temporal consistency of the scale scores between 5±8, 8±12 and 5±12 months was high. All scales excepting Body Sensitivity showed some degree of concurrent criterion validity. Predictive criterion validity was supported for all seven scales, since associations were found with training outcome, at at-least one age. Thresholds of z-scores on the scales were identified that were able to distinguish later training outcome by identifying 8.4% of all dogs withdrawn for behaviour and 8.5% of all qualified dogs, with 84% and 85% specificity. The questionnaire assessment was reliable and could detect traits that are consistent within individuals over time, despite juvenile dogs undergoing development during the study period. By applying thresholds to scores produced from the questionnaire this assessment could prove to be a highly valuable decision-making tool for Guide Dogs. This is the first questionnaire-style assessment of juvenile dogs that has shown value in predicting the training outcome of individual working dogs

Adaptation by herders on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in response to climate change and policy refroms: the implications for carbon sequestration and livelihoods

There are changes in livelihood strategies of five Tibetan herder communities in the face of climate change and government policies such as adjustments to use rights and restricted herder mobility. Data collection relied on a mixedmethod approach, including household surveys and rural rapid appraisals (PRA). Results indicated that yak husbandry is the main source of livelihood and households have a restricted range of livelihood activities. Major coping strategies varied with production system and resource availability and options for mobility of herds. The perception of a majority of respondents was that land tenure reforms had led to creation of more bureaucracies, forced sedentarization, livelihood insecurity, collapse of pastoral adaptation, poverty, resource use conflicts and hindrance to long-term planning and permanent developments. There is need to amend strategies that threaten the environment and instead promote integration of community best practices initiatives in proven concepts of adaptation to climate change and livelihood vulnerability.Haiying Feng and Melissa Nursey-Bra