Ethology Flashcards
Dogs became genetically separate from grey wolves how many years ago?
A) 130,000
B) 33,000
C) 45,000
D) 62,000
B) 130,000
Canis Lupus Familiars became it’s own subspecies
A) 130,000
B) 33,000
C) 45,000
D) 62,000
B) 33,000
Domestication is thought to have happened
A) 130,000 years ago
B) 33,000 years ago
C) Between 27,000 - 40,000 years ago
D) Between 35,000 - 50,000 years ago
C) Between 27,000 - 40,000 years ago
Based on the DNA from the Taimyr wolf
Humans actively began intervention and selective breeding around
A)1,700 years ago
B) 300-500 years ago
C) 33,000 years ago
D)2,800 years ago
B) 300-500 years ago
Who did the famous study on fox domestication
Belyayev
Domestication was likely a product of
Co-evolution / Self domestication
“Survival of the friendliest” for scavenging refuse near human settlements
True or false: Dogs have larger skulls and smaller ears than wolves
False.
Dogs have smaller skulls, rounder faces and larger eyes
The socialization period for wolves differs as it is:
A) longer for wolves
B) shorter for wolves
B) shorter for wolves
<21 days for wolves
12-16 weeks for dogs
True or false: wolves have a larger brain to body mass ratio
True
True or false: dogs and wolves have the same Estrus Cycles
False.
Dogs have 2 Estrus/year
Wolves have 1 Estrus/year
Wolf “packs” are actually
A family unit made up of the mating pair and their offspring.
How many dog breeds are recognized by the FCI?
340+
Sexual maturity for wolves and dogs differ as they reach maturity at what age?
Wolves: 1-3 years
Dogs: 6-8 months
The neonatal period is
Birth to 2 weeks
Eyes/ears closed
Trust everything
Respond to warmth, smell and touch
Cannot regulate body functions
ENS stands for
Early Neurological Stimulation
The Transitional period is at
2-3 weeks
Eyes and ears open
Teeth emerge
Begin to control bodily function
The Primary Socialization Period happens at
3-6 weeks
Weaning begins during which development period?
Primary Socialization
21-49 days old
3-7 weeks
The First Fear Period happens at what age?
8-12 weeks
The Secondary/Critical Socialization Period happens at what age?
6-12 weeks
Peak of bonding with other species
Dogs at 3 to 8 months are in what development period?
Juvenile
Lose deciduous teeth, sexual development, “test his wings”
The Second Fear Period happens at what age?
6-18 months
Adolescence
Sudden fear of new situations in an adolescent dog is due to the
Secondary Fear Period
Fear is an emotion driven by what part of the brain?
The Limbic system
Maturity happens at what age?
Between 1-4 years
When are dogs considered seniors?
At 7 years
Behavioral changes should be noted in dogs over 7 as it may be a sign of
Pain or cognitive decline
Isolation until after a puppy has gotten all their vaccinations may cause
Behavioral issues due to poor socialization
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s statement on puppy socialization is:
That it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive as much socialization as possible after their first round of vaccinations.
Inadequate socialization during the critical period usually will lead to
A dog that is fearful or excessively cautious outside the home, when presented with challenges or when meeting new people or dogs
Inappropriate experiences with other dogs during the critical socialization period can lead to
Learning bad habits or more severe behavioral issues
Dog parks are NOT good socialization outlets as
Other dogs there are often over aroused or display bullying behaviors.
Aversive training methods tend to lead to
More fear or aggression
Who coined and later rescinded the “Alpha Wolf” pack theory
Dr. David Meech
True or false: Wolves fight for rank
False
True or false: Dominance theory is a scientific way to approach dog training
False.
Don’t be silly.
True or false: dogs are pack animals
False.
Unlike wolves, dogs do not hunt together. Historically, they separated from wolves as solitary scavengers
Higher ranking dogs will greet subordinate dogs with what posture
High posture, high tails, pricked ears
Subordinate dogs will respond to higher ranked dogs with what body posture?
Lower body posture, ducking their heads, sometimes a full body wags.
How do humans fit into a dog’s social structure?
We are providers.
Natural behaviors common in all dogs are
Chasing, digging, chewing, barking, biting
If the dog’s body weight is leaning forward it indicates they are
Curious/Alert/Suspicious/Angry
If the dog’s body weight is leaning backwards it indicates they are
Fearful/Concerned/Anxious
If the dog’s body is loose and wiggly it indicates they are
Playful/Relaxed
If the dog’s body is tense it indicates they are
Stressed
Forward & Loose
Playful
Body loose but low or leaning back
Affiliative behavior looking for security
If the body is high, forward, tense
Stressed, on alert or about to show a threat display
Dog not making eye contact or adverting his gaze
Submission, Appeasement, Deference or Fear
Soft eyes with direct contact, perhaps blinking slowly
Most likely relaxed and friendly
A hard stare usually indicates
Alertness, excitement or arousal
May be uncomfortable and display agonistic behaviors if pushed over threshold
The sclera is the
White of the eye
Whale eye is when
The sclera, or whites of the eyes, are showing
Usually indicates stress, anxiety or fear. Common in resource guarding.
Whale eye is a result of:
A) A fearful or anxious dog moving their head away from but not being able to look away from something making them uncomfortable
B) An eye infection
C) A dog wanting to play but not being allowed to by their human
A) A fearful or anxious dog moving their head away from but not being able to look away from something making them uncomfortable
If a dog is displaying whale eye you should
Give the dog space
An agonistic pucker is
Lips tight and pushed forward.
A submissive grin is
A) An appeasement gesture
B) A deference gesture
C) An antagonistic gesture
D) A displacement behavior
E) Both A & B
F) Both A & D
E) Both A & B
Submissive grins are Appeasement or Deference signals
A dog “smiling” is a colloquial term for
A submissive grin.
Usually squinty eyes, maybe sneezing and a lowered posture soliciting attention
An open mouth, possibly with light panting or a lolling tounge
Usually means the dog is relaxed
Licking lips without the presence of food
Can be a sign of stress or fear
Yawning when the dog is not tired can be a sign of
Stress or fear
Forward relaxed ears usually indicate
Attentive, curious, friendly
Ears that are forward and high or pricked can indicate
Arousal
Ears that are dropped and relaxed can indicate
Calm and friendly
Ears that are pinned back can indicate
Appeasement, deference or fear
Brow ridges and tension in the facial muscles can indicate
Stress, Fear, Conflict, Arousal
A high carried tail, sometimes with a fast wag (aka flagging) may indicate
Tension, excitement, arousal
A medium/low carried tail with a fast wag may indicate
Submission, appeasement or just a happy dog
A medium/low carried tail that is waving gently
A calm and relaxed dog
“Tail below the horizon” is an adage meaning
The dog is probably safe to approach
“Tail above the horizon” is an adage indicating
To use caution
A tucked tail indicates
A fearful dog or one displaying submission or appeasement
Barking/growling
Lip lift/snarl
Lunging
Forward body
Looking/walking away
Ground sniffing
Whale eye
Paw lift
Distance Increasing Behavior
Distance Increase or Decrease?
Paw lift, body leaning back
Distance Increase
Piloerection is also known as
Raised hackles
A sign of arousal (not necessarily aggressive)
Appeasement behaviors serve to
Avoid conflict
A dog moving slowly with a lowered body position, ears held back and down, possibly urination is a sign of
Passive Appeasement
A dog approaching with a low body posture, full butt wag, making a u shape with the body to expose genitals is a sign of
Active Appeasement.
Dog can’t flee, so it tries to show it is no threat and limit antagonistic behavior
Play bow
Curved body
Loose tail wag
Presenting their rear
Hip nudging
Distance Decreasing Behavior
Yawning
Lip licking / Tongue Flicks
Shake offs
Slow movements in an arc
Head turn
Ground sniffing
Calming signals
Calming signals are also known as
Displacement Behaviors
Displacement Behaviors are also known as
Calming Signals
Yawning (when not tired is) a
A) Displacement Behavior
B) Agonistic Behavior
C) Appeasement Behavior
D) Submissive Behavior
A) Displacement Behavior
Gestures that are used to avoid conflict, calm other dogs, lessen or diffuse aggression or calm themselves are
Displacement Behaviors aka Calming Signals
Eustress is
A form of stress when something is exciting (though while still under threshold).
If eustress starts builds so much it’s headed towards actual stress, a dog may use displacement signals to calm itself down
If a dog starts sniffing suddenly without context it is likely a
Displacement Behavior
Heavy shedding for no reason
Dilated pupils
Sweaty Paws
Trembling
Signs of Distress
When a dog is in distress which part of the brain is in play
The limbic system
Dogs in distress should be
Removed from the situation and given time to decompress
The correct way to approach a dog in a non threatening way
Approach sideways, don’t lean over the dog, avert your gaze, don’t reach out to the dog
Unsocialized, under socialized or improper socialization can cause what in terms of body language?
Inhibited communication.
They never learned to read and understand dog body language.
What features in breeds can lead to inhibited communication or unintentional mixed messages?
Dogs with docked tails, curled tails, cropped or naturally prick ears, excessive facial wrinkles, a long coat or bracycephalic breeds
Fixed action patterns or motor programs are
Instinctive or innate behaviors
Innate behaviors hardwired into the dog’s nervous system are referred to as
Fixed action patterns, motor programs or modal action patterns (MAPs)
Dogs are born with these behaviors and do not need to learn them
Species Unique vs Species Typical means
Only dogs do it (bark) vs Other species also do it (yawning)
Breed characteristics can influence
Fixed action patterns
Caching refers to
Hiding or burying food
The full predatory sequence is
Orient > Eye > Stalk > Chase > Grab/Bite > Grab/Kill > Dissect > Consume
The predatory sequence has been heavily modified in selective breeding to
Either:
Exaggerate (hypertrophy)
Maintain
Mute
Certain parts of the predatory sequence
Herding breeds often have which part of the predatory sequence reinforced through breeding?
Eye, Stalk, Chase
A level one bite is
An air snap - obnoxious behavior but no contact
Skin contact by teeth but no puncture, maybe a scratch is what level bite?
Level 2
One to four punctures no deeper than half the length of a canine with possible lacerations is what level bite?
Level 3
One to four punctures where one puncture is deeper than half the length of the canine is what level bite?
Possible lacerations from dog shaking the victim
A bite and hold / vice grip bite
Level 4
A multiple bite incident with deep wounds or multiple lacerations is what level bite?
Level 5
In a dog attack where the victim dies, what level is it on the Dunbar bite scale?
Level 6
A “temp test” is testing what?
The dog’s temperament
Assess-a-Pet and SAFER tests are usually used by
Shelters
Volhard and A PET tests are usually used by
Breeders
The C.A.R.A.T. test is usually used by
People assessing Service Dog candidates
Typically by the time a dog is 7 weeks old he:
A) Is still totally dependent on his mother
B) Is aware he is a dog
C) Cannot yet leave his litter mates
D) Is still unable to remember anything he’s learned
B) Is aware he is a dog
Calming Signals are used for all of the following except to:
A) Diffuse aggression
B) Avoid Conflict
C) Indicate Submissivness
D) Calm other dogs
C) Indicate Submissives
The Secondary Socialization Period tends to occur around:
A) 2-4 weeks
B) 14-20 weeks
C) 28-36 weeks
D) 7-12 weeks
D) 7-12 weeks
According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, the best time for puppies to start socializing is:
A) Once the puppy has received two sets of vaccines
B) As soon as possible, preferably by the time the puppy is 3 to 4 weeks old
C) When the puppy is fully vaccinated
D) As early as 7 to 8 weeks when the puppy has had one set of vaccines
D) As early as 7 to 8 weeks when the puppy has had one set of vaccines
Dogs are likely to startle when they hear loud noises:
A) As soon as they’re born
B) Once they reach the first fear imprint period
C) During the transition phase
D) Up to sexual maturity
C) During the transition phase
All of the following are true except:
A) Wolves have narrower frames than dogs
B) Wolves have shorter legs than dogs
C) Wolves have smaller eyes than dogs
D) Wolves have a shorter socialization period than dogs
B) Wolves have shorter legs than dogs
All of the following may signal extreme distress in a dog except:
A) a low wagging tail
B) sweaty Paws
C) high wagging tail
D) heavy shedding
A) a low wagging tail
Distance- Decreasing behaviors may include all except:
A) Paw lift
B) Presenting rear end
C) Hip nudge
D) Play bow
A) Paw lift
Puppies are usually weaned during what period:
A) Neonatal
B) Transitional
C) Primary Socialization
D) Adolescence
C) Primary Socialization
3-7 weeks
Intact females are receptive to males during
A) Proestrus
B) Estrus
C) Anestrus
D) Diestrus
B) Estrus
Neoteny is
The retention of juvenile features in the adult
Phylogenetic behavior is
Natural behavior that is inherited genetically. Example, yawning or the predatory sequence.
Ontogenetic behavior is
Development of learned behavior from life experiences.
The prenatal period is
Before birth
A dog who has his head turned away from an oncoming dog and is holding their tail low and wagging is probably feeling
A) Aggressive
B) Stressed
C) Conflicted
D) Hungry
C) Conflicted
The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is active when a dog is
A) Stressed
B) Relaxed
A) Stressed
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) is active when a dog is
A) Stressed
B) Relaxed
B) Relaxed/Resting
Tip: P = Peaceful
Dogs are Crepuscular which means
Most active in the morning and evenings.
An example of intraspecific aggression could be:
A) a dog killing a groundhog
B) a dog biting a person who tries to take his food away
C) a dog picking up the scent of a fox
D) a dog breaking out of his collar and attacking a dog walking past
D) a dog breaking out of his collar and attacking a dog walking past
Compared to dogs, wolves:
A) have a shorter socialization period
B) have broader chests
C) are more frequently in heat
D) have larger eyes
E) all of the above
A) have a shorter socialization period
The last time the dog came when called, the owner jerked the dog by his collar and yelled at him for not coming right away. Now the dog doesn’t come when called. This is an example of:
A) P-
B) Learned Irrelevance
C) Blocking
D) Poisoned Cue
D) Poisoned Cue
Prenatal - Before Birth
Neonatal - Birth - 2 Weeks
Transitional - 2-3 Weeks
Socialization - 3-12 Weeks
Primary Socialization - 3-5 Weeks
Secondary Socialization - 6-12 Weeks
First Fear Period - 8-10 Weeks
Juvenile - 12 Weeks - 6 Months
Adolescent - 6-18 Months
Second Fear Period - 6-18 Months
Adult - 4-8 years
Senior - 8+ years
Developmental Periods
Which of the following is true:
A) Adaptation involves learning
B) Adaptation does not tire the senses
C) Adaptation does not involve learning
D) Adaptation is the same as learned irrelevance
C) Adaptation does not involve learning
Adaptation in this sense is biological, like “dogs adapted to have larger eyes than wolves to be more expressive to humans”
When a dog shakes off after happily playing with another dog, it generally means;
A) he is trying to calm down
B) he’s asking for distance
C) he’s going to engage in aggressive behavior
D) he’s in a high state of distress
A) he is trying to calm down
This is a displacement behavior to relieve stress, however since he was happily playing it is to release eustress not distress.
The most important time for a dog to develop social skills is:
A) before 6 weeks
B) before 14 weeks
C) after 6 months
D) after 1 year
B) before 14 weeks
Food acquisition and reproductive behaviors are examples of:
A) Domestication
B) Instinctive Drift
C) Critical Periods
D) Phylogenetic Behavior
D) Phylogenetic Behavior
