Ethology Flashcards
Define critical/flight distance
A dog’s personal space
Define appeasement behaviors
Behaviors used to turn off or inhibit perceived threats
10 submissive behaviors
Tail down, tail tucked, body lowered, ears back, forehead smooth, licks other dogs mouth, corners of mouth back, grovelling, rolls onto back, looks away
Define threats of aggression
Not intended to cause physical harm but to warn the other to stop what they’re doing
Define aggression
Result of frustration or inner conflict. Intent to do harm.
Define social hierarchy
A flexible social ranking system
Define temperament
The combo of genetics and environmental factors that affect the dogs behavior
Define instinctive drift
Strong instinctive behavior the animal defaults to regardless of behavior
Define predatory behavior
Not truly aggression but an intrestic behavior. Not fit social conflict resolution. Used to catch prey.
Define socially facilitated aggression
When one dog shows aggression and another dog joins in
The dog looks “guilty,” looks away, slowly blinks, and even exposes his belly. What is he doing?
Sending calming appeasement or negotiation signals
A dog has a loose, wiggly body & tail, bows to you, & maybe barks at you. What is the dog trying to tell you?
The dog likely wants to play and interact
If a dog’s eyes are wide (whites showing), the dog is tense, lip licking, yawning, & panting (not hot), what is the dog likely feeling? What should you do?
Stressed, anxious, cautious, fear. Remove the dog from the situation.
Define canis lupus
Wolves
Define canine familiars
Modern dogs
Define new niche wolves
“proto-dogs” the start of the domestication of dogs
Define domestication
Extensive behavioral& biological changes in a species due to selective breeding
Define critical periods
Times during a dog’s life when experience can have a greater influence on development than other times. Between 4-16 weeks.
Define alpha roll
A popular training technique that is hard to define. Dog is rolled onto their back by the neck& held as a way to establish dominance or in correction
Define food acquisition sequence
Hear/see/smell prey - orient/freeze/stare - creep/stalk prey - grab/hold/shake prey - kill prey - dismember prey - eat prey - guard prey
Define testosterone
Male hormone produced by testes
Define estrogen & progesterone
Female hormones that peak twice a year making the female go into heat
Define neuromuscular programming
“muscle memory” - the development & storage of motor actions
Define opposition reflex
A reflex that involves the dogs body trying to maintain equilibrium - i.e. pulling against leash
Which of the following is a component of ritualized aggression? A. Biting B. Freezing C. Retreating D. Whining
A. Biting
Define fear aggression
Defensive aggression that occurs when an animal perceives his personal safety is threatened
Define resource guarding
Protecting a resource the dog has
Define protective aggression
An animal defending their social group
Define ethology
Science of understanding animal behavior as the interaction of evolution, genetics, learning, and environment. Based on a foundation of scientific observations.
When a dog behind to ignore something that has occurred over and over again, it is called what?
Habituation
What are some examples of an intention movement?
A growl before a bite. A sigh before a bark. A play bow before a play pounce.
A defensive dog
A. Is afraid of something
B. Will never bite anyone
C. Makes the best pet for children
A. Is afraid of something
A dog’s temperament is exactly half the results of genetics and half environment. True or false?
False
Some people say dog behavior is divider into 3 categories
Reproductive, hazard avoidance, food acquisition
What brain structure is 4x bigger in dogs than humans?
Olfactory bulb
What is the brain structure used for scent?
Olfactory bulb
Define intention movement
Physical indications an organism is about to move or perform an action
If a dog has its rear in the air, elbows down in the ground, with tail wagging, it most likely wants to
Interact
A potential developmental function of puppy play is to A. Provide aerobic exercise B. Establish bonding C. Encourage long bone growth D. Practice motor and social skills
D. Practice motor and social skills
Stimuli that elicit aggressive behavior are: A. External only B. Internal only C. Both internal & external D. Dependent on breed & predisposition
C. Both internal & external
What do dogs have 220 million of?
Scent receptors
Define cerebral cortex
Involved with cognitive functions such as learning & problem solving
Define limbic system
A network of cells in the brain that integrates instinct 6 learning - it is involved with emotions such as fear
Which sex will mark territory? A. Castrated male B. Females C. Intact male D. Any of the above
D. Any of the above
Define avoidance behaviors
Behaviors that are leaving or fleeing, avoiding a threatening situation
Define territorial aggression
When a dog is defending their home area or social group
Define pain related aggression
Defensive aggression due to physical pain or discomfort
Define redirected aggression
When a dog is prevented from attacking the intended target and instead attacks the next closest dog/human/whatever
The limbic system is involved with emotions such as fear. True or false?
True
Early experience is vital because it A. Affects the brains early development B. Is the first learning experience C. Affects the number of brain cells D. Affects growth plates
A. Affects the brains early development
Assigning human traits and motivations to animals is
Anthropomorphism
Which of the following can be observed rather than inferred? A. Anxiety B. Depression C. Whining D. Nervousness
C. Whining
Which of the following best describes food, water, rest, & sex? A. Positive reinforcers B. Negative reinforcers C. Primary reinforcers D. Secondary reinforcers
C. Primary reinforcers
Define scent receptors
The receptors responsible for the detection of odorants. Dogs have over 220 million of them.
