The dogs’ HR and HR variability (HRV) responses were measured using the Polar® RS800CX HR monitor [55 (link)]. The Polar® HR monitor was designed for humans, but is increasingly used in animal studies, including in dogs [74 (link)] (see for example [75 (link),76 (link),77 (link),78 (link),79 (link)]). This HR monitor was also validated against the electrocardiogram (ECG) for dogs [74 (link),80 (link),81 (link)]. The HRV parameter used in this study was the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), a parameter frequently used to analyze short-term HRV; see also von Borell et al. [82 (link)].
The HR monitor consisted of three separate parts: (1) a chest belt with electrodes, (2) a WearLink® W.I.N.D transmitter for wireless data transmission (connected to a chest belt during experimental sessions), and (3) a data logger (watch). The chest belt was tied around the chest of the animals, just behind the shoulder blades. We made sure that the electrodes were placed on the left side, i.e., over the heart, and the fur between skin and electrodes was wetted with 70% ethanol in order to improve the transmission of the HR signal to the electrodes. The watch was attached to a collar that was tied around the neck of the dogs.
The HR monitor consisted of three separate parts: (1) a chest belt with electrodes, (2) a WearLink® W.I.N.D transmitter for wireless data transmission (connected to a chest belt during experimental sessions), and (3) a data logger (watch). The chest belt was tied around the chest of the animals, just behind the shoulder blades. We made sure that the electrodes were placed on the left side, i.e., over the heart, and the fur between skin and electrodes was wetted with 70% ethanol in order to improve the transmission of the HR signal to the electrodes. The watch was attached to a collar that was tied around the neck of the dogs.
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