Abstract Greyhounds retired from the racing industry, or who are deemed unsuitable for racing, can make good companion animals. However, some greyhounds have a strong predilection towards predatory behaviour (PB), a motor pattern associated with the catching and consuming of prey. This tendency can negatively impact whether the dog is deemed suitable for adoption. Very few published studies have examined whether it is possible to prevent PB in dogs with this tendency, and those published studies made use of aversive techniques which are counter to the aims of many greyhound adoption programs (GAPs). The aim of this study was to measure dog behaviour experts’ opinions about the nature of PB, factors affecting its expression, and whether it can be prevented using a variety of different training and management methods. In an online survey (N = 84 respondents) and follow-up interviews (N = 12), experts generally agreed that PB is self-rewarding and unrelated to aggression of any kind, but some indicated that it could be related to play. Participants also reported that early socialisation towards small animals, and being rewarded for not chasing small animals as a young puppy, had the strongest influence on preventing PB expression in adult dogs. When asked whether it is possible to prevent PB in dogs with a history of engaging in it, experts who used only positive, reward-based techniques were typically (but not exclusively) more pessimistic about preventing PB than experts who incorporate both aversive and reward-based methods into their training practices. In line with existing recommendations for preventing PB, experts indicated that effectively managing a dog’s environment such that it never has an opportunity to engage in PB is the best way to prevent the behaviour. Contrary to expectations, experts reported that many adoptive owners would be willing and able to manage their dog’s environment in this way. They argued that PB tendency should therefore not rule out the possibility of adoption, provided that the new owners are educated about the risks of PB and that regular maintenance checks occur to ensure that dogs continue to be appropriately managed. These results could provide guidance for GAPs looking to increase the number of greyhounds that are adopted as pets.

中文翻译：

---

防止赛狗退役的掠夺行为：通过调查和访谈收集的专家意见

摘要 赛狗从赛马业退休，或者被认为不适合赛跑的赛狗，可以成为很好的伴侣动物。然而，一些灵缇犬对捕食行为 (PB) 有强烈的偏好，这是一种与捕获和消耗猎物相关的运动模式。这种倾向会对狗是否被认为适合收养产生负面影响。很少有已发表的研究检查是否有可能预防具有这种倾向的狗的 PB，而这些已发表的研究使用了与许多灰狗收养计划 (GAP) 目标背道而驰的厌恶技术。本研究的目的是衡量狗行为专家对 PB 的性质、影响其表达的因素以及是否可以使用各种不同的训练和管理方法来预防的看法。在一项在线调查（N = 84 名受访者）和后续访谈（N = 12 名）中，专家普遍认为 PB 是自我奖励的，与任何形式的攻击无关，但有些人表示它可能与游戏有关。参与者还报告说，对小动物的早期社会化，以及在幼犬时不追逐小动物而获得奖励，对防止成年犬 PB 表达的影响最大。当被问及是否有可能在有参与 PB 的狗中预防 PB 时，仅使用积极的、基于奖励的技术的专家通常（但不完全）比同时采用厌恶和奖励的专家更悲观地预防 PB——基于方法的培训实践。根据现有的预防 PB 的建议，专家表示，有效管理狗的环境使其永远没有机会参与 PB 是预防该行为的最佳方法。与预期相反，专家报告说，许多领养主人愿意并能够以这种方式管理他们的狗的环境。他们认为，PB 倾向因此不应排除领养的可能性，前提是新主人接受了 PB 风险的教育，并且定期进行维护检查以确保狗继续得到适当的管理。这些结果可以为 GAP 提供指导，以增加作为宠物收养的赛狗数量。专家报告说，许多领养主人愿意并且能够以这种方式管理他们的狗的环境。他们认为，PB 倾向因此不应排除领养的可能性，前提是新主人接受了 PB 风险的教育，并且定期进行维护检查以确保狗继续得到适当的管理。这些结果可为 GAP 提供指导，以增加被收养为宠物的赛狗数量。专家报告说，许多领养主人愿意并且能够以这种方式管理他们的狗的环境。他们认为，PB 倾向因此不应排除领养的可能性，前提是新主人接受了 PB 风险的教育，并且定期进行维护检查以确保狗继续得到适当的管理。这些结果可为 GAP 提供指导，以增加被收养为宠物的赛狗数量。