Ethology Flashcards
When did dogs become genetically different from grey wolves
Around 130,000 years ago
Dogs branched off from grey wolves
33,000 canid lupus familiarius- became own species
When did dogs become domesticated
(Taimyr wolf) 27,000-40,000 years ago
Goyet dog skull
36,000 years old
Humans began selectively breeding dogs
300-500 years ago
Coop enters theory of domestication
Wolves domesticated themselves at end of ice age around 11,500 years ago when people because to move into settlements- “survival of the friendliest”
Belyayevs foxes
-curly tails, floppy ears, spotted coats
-affiliation behaviors
Wolves vs dogs- body
Wolves: larger skulls, narrower chest, smaller ears. Longer legs. Yellow or golden eyes. Larger paws. Greater brain to body mass ratio.
Dogs: smaller skulls, rounder faces, larger eyes. Wide hips and chests and shorter legs. Inter species socialization
Wolves vs dogs- sexual maturity
Wolves: 1-3 years old. Estrus once a year. Do not retain playfulness of juveniles.
Dogs: 6-8 months (estrus twice a year)
Wolves vs dogs: socialization period
Wolves: less than 21 days
Dogs: 12-16 weeks
Neonatal period
Birth to 14-16 days
Eyes/ears closed
Trust everything/no fear
Respond to warmth, touch, smell
Cannot regulate body functions (temperature/elimination)
ENS
Transition period
Day 14-16 to day 21
Eyes/ears open but limited sight/hearing
Begins to control bodily functions
Good time for breeders to begin socialization by introducing novel
Stimuli to the welling box.
Awareness period
Sub period of canine socialization period.
21-28 days
All senses functioning
Rapid sensory development
Puppies are able to retain what they begin learning at this time
Primary/Canine socialization
21-49 days (3-7 weeks)
-bond to things around them
-quick startle/recovery
-first fear response around 5 weeks old
- should be with littermates during this time and should be with mom at least until 5 weeks
- learn to communicate with littermates- bite inhibition
-mom starts to wean puppies
- should be exposed to Nobel stimuli
Secondary/human socialization period
7-12 weeks
Peak of bonding with other species
Critical socialization - people, sights, sounds, etc.
First fear impact period
8-11 weeks
Fear of novelty
Traumatic experiences at risk to be generalized.
Also when puppy gets first vaccinations- important experience is good
Secondary socialization period??
12-16 weeks
Age of independence - some puppies may test Boundaries or explore more
Effective socialization closes
Flight instinct/juvenile period
4-8 months
Puppy will “test his wings”
Lose deciduous teeth
Sexual development
Likened to human toddler phase
Majority of growth will occur
Second fear impact/adolescence
5 to 18 months
Social development continues
Fear of new situations
May experience one or more fear periods
Maturity
1-4 years
Improved social skills
Emotional and physical maturity don’t have to line up
Senior
Over 7 years
Decline or loss of some senses
Cognitive decline
Species-specific behavior
-chasing
-digging
-chewing
-barking
-biting
Averted eyes
Submission, appeasement, deference or fear
Squinting
Appeasement, submission or happy greeting
Hard stare
Alertness, assertiveness or arousal - dog is uncomfortable
Whale eye
Stress, anxiety, fear
Forward and relaxed ears
Attentive, curious, friendly
Forward and pricked
Excitement, arousal, assertiveness
Ears back, relaxed and dropped
Can indicate dog is relaxed or friendly
Ears pinned back
Appeasement, deference, or fear
Distance increasing signals
Barking/growling
Lunging
Forward body
Looking/walking away
Ground sniffing
Whale eye
Paw lift / appeasement/ conflict avoidance
Passive appeasement
Submissive - dog moves slowly with lowered body position. Generally remains still until threat has moved on
Active appeasement
Can be confused for overly friendly behaviors. Approach with whole rear wagging- anticipate potential hostile encounter- cut off conflict in non aggressive way. Dog is scared or unsure.
Distance decreasing
Play bow
Curved body
Loose tail wag
Presenting rear
Hip nudge
Calming signals
Displacement behaviors- when used to calm inner conflict.
Calming signals- Avoid conflict, calm other dogs, lessen or diffuse aggression or relax themselves
-Yawning
-lip licking
-shaking off
-slow movement, moving in an arc
-head turn
-ground sniffing
Eustress
“Good stress”/excitement
Action patterns
Instinctive or innate behaviors
Also called motor programs
Wired into the dogs nervous system
Often exist even if no need for them
