Canine Ethology Flashcards
What is the main focus of Lesson 6 in CPDT‐KA Fundamentals?
Canine Ethology, covering domestication, development, social structure, and communication systems
What has changed regarding the domestication timeline of dogs?
Previously thought to be 5,000 years, now known to be over 12,000 years based on archaeological evidence
What does mitochondrial DNA indicate about the domestic dog?
Dates to just over 100,000 years ago, but doesn’t match physical evidence
When did the transition from ancestral wolves to proto-dogs begin?
Between 20,000 and 30,000 years ago
What is the significance of the Gobekli Tepe site?
It has the oldest evidence of domestication, suggesting dogs were the first non-human animals domesticated
What is the self-domestication theory?
Suggests tamer wolves scavenged near human settlements, leading to the evolution of proto-dogs
What did Dmitry Belyaev’s selective breeding program demonstrate?
Tame foxes exhibited behavioral and physical changes indicative of domestication
What are key differences between modern wolves and dogs?
Dogs are neotenous, have smaller skulls, rounder faces, larger eyes, and play throughout life
What is the neonatal stage in puppy development?
Occurs from birth to about two weeks, where puppies’ eyes and ears are closed
What happens during the first socialization stage of puppies?
Puppies are weaned and learn important social skills from their mother and littermates
What is the duration of the second socialization stage?
Lasts from about 8 weeks to 14-16 weeks of age
Fill in the blank: Socialization functions on _______ learning.
classical
What can cause developmental hiccups in puppies?
Inappropriate experiences with other dogs, illness, use of aversives, lack of proactive training
True or False: The American Timber Wolf shares DNA with domestic dogs.
False
What is a common misconception about dog parks for puppy socialization?
That they are always safe and beneficial for socialization
What is a potential result of illness during the socialization stage?
Isolation from the outside world, leading to difficulties in new environments
How can a lack of consistency in training affect a puppy?
Can lead to confusion and impulsive behavior
What is the importance of the socialization process in puppies?
Sets them up for success or failure in later life
Fill in the blank: Dogs have a more _______ communication system than wolves.
sophisticated
What is the role of the mother during the weaning process?
Teaches puppies important social skills through gentle corrections
What happens if a puppy has a negative experience during socialization?
They may develop fear or reactive behaviors towards certain stimuli
What is the impact of using aversives during socialization?
Can make dogs view the world as confrontational
What is the significance of the ‘fear impact period’ in puppies?
Puppies are particularly sensitive to scary things during this phase
What can be staved off with proper training from the beginning?
Misidentification of fear impact periods and social stunting
Proper training helps manage a dog’s fear responses and social behaviors.
What happens if there is a lack of consistency in dog training?
It results in a confused dog who gives up
Consistency is key in dog training to ensure understanding and compliance.
What is the true definition of dominance in dogs?
To have priority access to resources
Dominance is not a personality type but a context-dependent relationship regarding resource access.
What should be discussed instead of dominance in dog training?
Deference, sharing, resource guarding, apathy, bullying, shyness
These concepts reflect the more nuanced social interactions of dogs.
What role do humans play in the social structure of dogs?
Humans act as parents, siblings, and providers
This role is shaped by the domestication process and the dog’s ability to communicate with humans.
What are the three main categories of dog communication signals?
Distance increasing signals, distance decreasing signals, stress signals
Understanding these categories helps in interpreting a dog’s behavior.
Define distance increasing signals.
Signals that indicate ‘I want to get away or I want you to go away’
Includes behaviors like barking, lunging, and looking away.
Define distance decreasing signals.
Signals that indicate ‘Come hither. Play with me. Pet me. I am your friend.’
Includes loose body language and play bows.
What are stress signals in dogs?
Signals that hint at negative internal states, such as fear or discomfort
Examples include yawning, lip licking, and heavy panting.
What is the significance of ‘whale eyes’ in dogs?
Indicates stress or resource guarding
This behavior shows the whites of the eyes and can signal potential aggression.
What does a relaxed dog look like?
Mouth open loosely, tongue lolling, soft eyes
Indicates a calm and content state.
What are mixed signals in dog body language?
Conflicting signals that can indicate uncertainty or fear
Example: A dog barking with a tense body weight shifted back may be conflicted.
What can humans do to ease a dog’s fear?
Mimic dog signals by using loose body language and avoiding direct eye contact
This can help communicate non-threatening intentions.
What impact does poor socialization have on dogs?
Dogs may fail to learn proper communication and social cues
This can lead to misunderstandings and aggressive encounters.
How do physical traits like docked tails affect dog communication?
They remove an entire vocabulary set from the dog’s repertoire
Docked tails limit expressions of alertness and emotional states.
What is an agnostic pucker in dogs?
A behavior where lips are pursed tight, signaling possible aggression
This can indicate discomfort or a threat response.
What is a submissive grin in dogs?
A sign of stress where the mouth is held open and the forehead is wrinkled
This expression often occurs when a dog is anxious or trying to appease.
What should trainers do to understand dog body language better?
Spend time observing dogs and describing their behaviors in detail
This helps in accurately interpreting various signals.
What is the importance of Lili Chin’s illustrations?
They effectively combine various dog signals into a comprehensive understanding
Useful for both trainers and dog owners to decode body language.
What does a play bow look like?
The dog’s rear is in the air, the elbows are on the ground, and the body is loose, possibly with a tail wag.
A play bow is a common canine behavior indicating a playful state.
What do hard eyes indicate about a dog’s emotional state?
Hard eyes are a sign of tension or aggression in a dog.
Hard eyes can be characterized by a fixed gaze and a lack of softness in the expression.
What does a distance increasing signal look like?
A distance increasing signal can include behaviors like backing away, turning away, or showing avoidance.
These signals indicate that a dog wants to create space or avoid confrontation.
What is the purpose of the quiz mentioned in the lesson?
To give you an idea of where you stand with canine ethology and to provide focus for your studies.
Quizzes are useful for self-assessment and determining areas needing improvement.
What is the format of the final exam?
100 multiple choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes.
The final exam assesses knowledge gained throughout the course.
Is there an optional practice exam available?
Yes, there is an optional practice exam that can be taken before or after the final exam.
This allows for additional preparation and confidence building.
What is recommended after taking the quiz?
Take some time to review your notes.
Reviewing notes helps reinforce learning and aids in retention of information.
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