Research

Research & Publications

Our work is grounded in peer-reviewed research. Dr. Clay's publications focus on canine behaviour assessments, shelter welfare, behaviour problems and the predictability of behaviour over time.

Peer-reviewed publications

2025

Exploring trainer insights and understanding of on-lead dog aggressive behaviours and behavioural modification advice

Shnookal, J., Clay, L., Howell, T., & Bennett, P.

Discover Animals, 2(1)

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2020

In Defense of Canine Behavioral Assessments in Shelters: Outlining Their Positive Applications

Clay, L., Paterson, M., Bennett, P., Perry, G., Rohlf, V., Phillips, C.

Journal of Veterinary Behavior, vol. 38, pp. 74–81

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2020

Do Behaviour Assessments in a Shelter Predict the Behaviour of Dogs Post-Adoption?

Clay, L., Paterson, M. B. A., Bennett, P., Perry, G., Phillips, C. C. J.

Animals, 10(7), 1225

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2020

Comparison of Canine Behaviour Scored Using a Shelter Behaviour Assessment and an Owner Completed Questionnaire, C-BARQ

Clay, L., Paterson, M. B. A., Bennett, P., Perry, G., Phillips, C. C. J.

Animals, 10(10), 1797

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2019

Early Recognition of Behaviour Problems in Shelter Dogs by Monitoring them in their Kennels after Admission to a Shelter

Clay, L., Paterson, M., Bennett, P., Perry, G., Phillips, C.

Animals, 9(11), 875

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Professional education articles

2024

One Welfare Approach: Wellbeing in Shelters

Clay, L.

Today's Veterinary Nurse

2025

Addressing the Most Common Veterinary Visit–Associated Canine Behavior Concerns

Clay, L.

Today's Veterinary Nurse

Books & chapters

2020

Welfare of Dogs and Humans in Animal-Assisted Interventions

Book chapter in Animal-Assisted Interventions for Health and Human Service Professionals

Nova Science Publishers

In review

Wellbeing and Ethics of Animal Shelters: One Welfare and Animal Sheltering

Behaviour assessments and behaviour modification in shelters.

Webinars & media

From Shelter to Home — Veterinary Guidance for Newly Adopted Pets (webinar)

Simplifying Shelter Behaviour podcast — "Behind the Kennel Door, Behaviour Assessments with Dr. Liam Clay" (Ep. 52, 03 Dec 2025)

UQ News: "Shelter dogs get second leash on life" (profile feature)

Conference presentations

Assessing the behaviour assessment — Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, Behaviour Chapter (2017, 2019)

The use of behavioural assessments in a shelter environment — G2Z (2017)

In defence of Canine Behavioural Assessments and The predictability of behaviour — Canine Science Forum, Budapest (2018)

In defence of Canine Behavioural Assessments — Canine Science Conference, Phoenix AZ (2019)

Stress in clinics: behaviour, physiology and environment — Veterinary Nurses Council Australia (2021)

Behaviour in clinics: behaviour, physiology and environment — VetPartners (2021)

Welfare of Canines in Animal Assisted Therapy — Animal Therapy Conference (2022)

Chronic Anxiety in Dogs — AVA (2024)

Five Domains in Addressing Animal Behaviour Problems — Association of Applied Behaviour Analysis (2024)

Research areas

Behaviour Assessments

Evaluating and improving the reliability and predictability of canine behaviour assessments in shelter and community settings.

Shelter Welfare

Understanding stress, behaviour problems and welfare outcomes for dogs in shelter environments.

Behaviour Problems

Early recognition, assessment and evidence-based intervention for common and complex canine behaviour problems.

Research collaboration

Interested in collaborating on research, data analysis or evaluation frameworks? We welcome enquiries from universities, shelters and industry partners.

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