Animal Behaviour - Applied Dog Ethology
Genetic factors influence canine behaviour through both breed-specific traits and individual variation. Dogs have been selectively bred for certain roles—e.g. terriers for independence, gundogs for close cooperation with handlers—resulting in predictable behavioural tendencies. Puppies also show unique individual differences from an early age.
How may genetic factors affect canine behaviour?
Breeds bred for different purposes eg. terriers aloof and independent, gun dogs work closely with handler
Individual differences between puppies
Key Terms
How may genetic factors affect canine behaviour?
Breeds bred for different purposes eg. terriers aloof and independent, gun dogs work closely with handler
Individual differences between pupp...
How does learning affect canine behaviour?
Especially sensitive period but occurs throughout life
Directs individuals towards important aspects of environment
Upon which species are most wolf studies based?
American Timberwolf
- The ancestral species of the dog NO LONGER EXISTS
How do wolves hunt?
Large groups, cooperatively
How are wolf territories organised?
Groups maintain their own territory
What did studies from captive wolf populations show about wolf hierarchy? Why are these flawed?
Separate male and female hierarchies
Only top male and female reproduce - Reporductive suppression of other pack members and cooperative rear...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
How may genetic factors affect canine behaviour? | Breeds bred for different purposes eg. terriers aloof and independent, gun dogs work closely with handler Individual differences between puppies |
How does learning affect canine behaviour? | Especially sensitive period but occurs throughout life Directs individuals towards important aspects of environment |
Upon which species are most wolf studies based? | American Timberwolf - The ancestral species of the dog NO LONGER EXISTS |
How do wolves hunt? | Large groups, cooperatively |
How are wolf territories organised? | Groups maintain their own territory |
What did studies from captive wolf populations show about wolf hierarchy? Why are these flawed? | Separate male and female hierarchies Only top male and female reproduce - Reporductive suppression of other pack members and cooperative rearing Pyramidal hierachies - V artificial set up, both environment and groups of individuals |
Why are hierarchies necessary in social species? | Enable peaceful coexistence and group stability Reduce the need for aggressive displays Structure is based on reproductive strategy -> though this is not useful to extrapolate to dogs |
Who challenged the validity of the hierarchical wolf structure? | Lockwood 1975 Mech 1999 |
What do feral dog studies suggest about the setup of social hierarchy? | Reproductive strategy is not restricted to one or two individuals No co-operative rearing/hunting Hierarchical relationships exist but these are NOT FIXED - based more on RHP/V theory |
What is RHP/V theory | Resource holding potential / value(?) theory Animal will judge whether an interaction is worth it depending on what it thinks the other individuals desire for the resource is and how valuable it is to themselves |
What is the commonest misconception about social behaviour in dogs? | behaviour (esp aggression) is related to trying to achieve high status and dominance |
Why have dogs developed the ability to communicate using complex visual signalling? | Necessary to avoid conflict which could lead to injury |
What is the normal response of a puppy if it is separated from its social group? | Anxiety Vocalisation to regain social contact Scrabbling and escape attempts If any of these are successful they will be repeated, if nothing is successful they will give up |
If a puppy gives up trying to gain social contact, does this mean they are not stressed? | Stress levels are the same physiologically and separation anxiety can still occur |
Do wolves or dogs do more signalling? | Wolves |
How long do adult dogs let puppies get away with inappropriate behaviour for before snapping at them? | Sexual maturity - 6-18 months |
Are interactions with other dogs generalised or specific? | Some may be specific - particular breed or situation Some may be generalised - eg. play bow |
How do breed differences affect social interaction? | Puppies must learn different “dialects” of communication or different breeds Some breeds cannot signal well due to physical characteristics or cannot see well enough to interpret others |
Which breeds find social communication particularly hard | Boxers/long haired dogs |
How may behaviour be misinterpreted by humans? Give eg. | Roll over- dog means go away Human thinks it means tummy tickle |
When retraining a dog, how should new commands/signals be given? | Very differently from any existing links already learnt - eg. if usually shouted at in low voice, do not give command for new behaviour in low voice, do baby voice - nothing should be similar about the new stimulus you are trying to teach |
What is hierarchy? | Stable dominance construct, independant of context |
What does dominance mean? | A quality of an established relationship between individuals Not a description of an individual animal, inherited trait or alternative form for aggressive -> CANNOT be applied to new meetings between individuals or situation |
If an animal appears confidently aggressive, is this dominance? | No, still fear. Just learnt that confident aggression works best to divert the aversive stimulus or prevent aversive event |
What does the outcome of an encounter between two dogs depend on? | Context Social situation Type and availability of resource Internal factors eg. health, pain, mood |
In a multi dog household, why does aggression rarely occur? | Established relationship where each individual evaluates encounters in light of previous experience of other individuals - knows what they value etc |
When do aggressive behaviours occur? | Resources are restricted Sibling pairs (similar value for similar resources) Composition of the group changes (one individual may have been inhibiting aggression of another) During reproductive activity periods - bitch in season has lower aggression threshold |
When are the 4 main sensitive periods for learning? | Pre-natal (eg. HPA axis regulation, if mother ^HPA, pup will have v threshold for HPA activation) Socialisation period (intense nuerogenesis) Juvenile period Sexual maturity |
What age is the socialisation period of dogs? | 3-12 weeks |
Why is having a socialisation period adaptive? | Rather than being born prepared, can adapt to environment living in First 12 weeks usually spent in den with siblings and family so adaptive to learn that these are normal things |
How is HPA axis regulation affected pre-natally? | If mother is stressed (^HPA) puppies will be more reactive (v threshed for HPA activation) as this is adaptive |
How may this impact of maternal hormones on puppies have negative consequences? | Agility dogs - being bred to be highly reactive, -> inability to cope with normal life because so stressed |
Why were studies on socialisation periods stopped? | Not ethical - extreme deprivation involved |
At what age do fear behaviours begin to show? | 8 weeks / earlier Breed and environment dependent At this age may start to lave the den so should be cautious of new things |
What type of neonates are dogs? | Altricial - born helpless, relatively limited mobility for first 12 weeks, remaining in den area with mum |
What type of exposure to stimuli will prevent a fear response forming? | Quiet/low level exposure eg. fireworks - if exposed to fireworks full on will -> sensitisation not habituation |
What is happening neurobiologically during the sensitisation period? | Immature nerve cells produced New synapses forming Synapses become permanent more easily through differential response of NT GABA Only neural pathway that are used are retained |
What are the two main outcomes of the socialisation period? | Learns what is normal and not scary Learns what is important and directs behaviour towards achieving this Learns social skills and how to communicate with other dogs |
Why is play behaviour important in puppies? | Appropriate signalling to initiate play learnt Adults dogs are more tolerant of puppies - may not be able to get away with it later in life Play signals used to communicate with humans too - though these may be misinterpreted |
What behaviours may be seen in separation related anxiety? | Howling barking or whining reported by neighbours Destruction esp of entrance and exit points Toileting Pacing Salivation Panting Displacement activities Compulsive behaviours Not eating Listening |
What behaviours will separation anxious dogs exhibit on owner departure? | Looking for cues that being left Following owner ^ Vigilance Anxiety Displacement acitivies Aggression to stop owner leaving |
What behaviours will separation anxious dogs display on return of owner? | Variable - may be excessive greeting - May be fearful, hiding, appeasement, avoidance - conflict related behaviour Related to owner response when returning |
What are the three stages of an avoidance response? | Run and hide to get away Appeasement to diffuse the conflict in social situations Aggression to make the threat go away |
How do avoidance responses develop? | Perceived threat to self or valuable resource Different responses tried Successful response reinforced Successful response elicited more readily Switch to more immediate response pathways in the brain Behaviour then elicit immediately on presentation of the stimulus Behaviour becomes difficult to change |
What type of response is aggression? | AVOIDANCE |
How are behaviour problems in dogs classified in the literature? | By context (separation related anxiety) By presentation (vocalisation) By target (inter-male aggression) Underlying motivation (dominance/fear aggression) |
Presentations have multiple possible causes eg. barking - list some | Gaining attention Maintaining contact Perceived threat -> whichever is successful is reinforced |