Ethology Flashcards

1
Q

Dogs became genetically separate from grey wolves how many years ago?
A) 130,000
B) 33,000
C) 45,000
D) 62,000

A

B) 130,000

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2
Q

Canis Lupus Familiars became it’s own subspecies
A) 130,000
B) 33,000
C) 45,000
D) 62,000

A

B) 33,000

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3
Q

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

A

C) Between 27,000 - 40,000 years ago

Based on the DNA from the Taimyr wolf

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4
Q

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

A

B) 300-500 years ago

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5
Q

Who did the famous study on fox domestication

A

Belyayev

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6
Q

Domestication was likely a product of

A

Co-evolution / Self domestication

“Survival of the friendliest” for scavenging refuse near human settlements

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7
Q

True or false: Dogs have larger skulls and smaller ears than wolves

A

False.

Dogs have smaller skulls, rounder faces and larger eyes

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8
Q

The socialization period for wolves differs as it is:
A) longer for wolves
B) shorter for wolves

A

B) shorter for wolves

<21 days for wolves
12-16 weeks for dogs

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9
Q

True or false: wolves have a larger brain to body mass ratio

A

True

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10
Q

True or false: dogs and wolves have the same Estrus Cycles

A

False.

Dogs have 2 Estrus/year
Wolves have 1 Estrus/year

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11
Q

Wolf “packs” are actually

A

A family unit made up of the mating pair and their offspring.

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12
Q

How many dog breeds are recognized by the FCI?

A

340+

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13
Q

Sexual maturity for wolves and dogs differ as they reach maturity at what age?

A

Wolves: 1-3 years
Dogs: 6-8 months

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14
Q

The neonatal period is

A

Birth to 2 weeks

Eyes/ears closed
Trust everything
Respond to warmth, smell and touch
Cannot regulate body functions

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15
Q

ENS stands for

A

Early Neurological Stimulation

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16
Q

The Transitional period is at

A

2-3 weeks

Eyes and ears open
Teeth emerge
Begin to control bodily function

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17
Q

The Primary Socialization Period happens at

A

3-6 weeks

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18
Q

Weaning begins during which development period?

A

Primary Socialization
21-49 days old
3-7 weeks

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19
Q

The First Fear Period happens at what age?

A

8-12 weeks

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20
Q

The Secondary/Critical Socialization Period happens at what age?

A

6-12 weeks

Peak of bonding with other species

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21
Q

Dogs at 3 to 8 months are in what development period?

A

Juvenile

Lose deciduous teeth, sexual development, “test his wings”

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22
Q

The Second Fear Period happens at what age?

A

6-18 months

Adolescence

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23
Q

Sudden fear of new situations in an adolescent dog is due to the

A

Secondary Fear Period

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24
Q

Fear is an emotion driven by what part of the brain?

A

The Limbic system

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25
Q

Maturity happens at what age?

A

Between 1-4 years

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26
Q

When are dogs considered seniors?

A

At 7 years

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27
Q

Behavioral changes should be noted in dogs over 7 as it may be a sign of

A

Pain or cognitive decline

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28
Q

Isolation until after a puppy has gotten all their vaccinations may cause

A

Behavioral issues due to poor socialization

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29
Q

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s statement on puppy socialization is:

A

That it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive as much socialization as possible after their first round of vaccinations.

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30
Q

Inadequate socialization during the critical period usually will lead to

A

A dog that is fearful or excessively cautious outside the home, when presented with challenges or when meeting new people or dogs

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31
Q

Inappropriate experiences with other dogs during the critical socialization period can lead to

A

Learning bad habits or more severe behavioral issues

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32
Q

Dog parks are NOT good socialization outlets as

A

Other dogs there are often over aroused or display bullying behaviors.

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33
Q

Aversive training methods tend to lead to

A

More fear or aggression

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34
Q

Who coined and later rescinded the “Alpha Wolf” pack theory

A

Dr. David Meech

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35
Q

True or false: Wolves fight for rank

A

False

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36
Q

True or false: Dominance theory is a scientific way to approach dog training

A

False.

Don’t be silly.

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37
Q

True or false: dogs are pack animals

A

False.

Unlike wolves, dogs do not hunt together. Historically, they separated from wolves as solitary scavengers

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38
Q

Higher ranking dogs will greet subordinate dogs with what posture

A

High posture, high tails, pricked ears

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39
Q

Subordinate dogs will respond to higher ranked dogs with what body posture?

A

Lower body posture, ducking their heads, sometimes a full body wags.

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40
Q

How do humans fit into a dog’s social structure?

A

We are providers.

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41
Q

Natural behaviors common in all dogs are

A

Chasing, digging, chewing, barking, biting

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42
Q

If the dog’s body weight is leaning forward it indicates they are

A

Curious/Alert/Suspicious/Angry

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43
Q

If the dog’s body weight is leaning backwards it indicates they are

A

Fearful/Concerned/Anxious

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44
Q

If the dog’s body is loose and wiggly it indicates they are

A

Playful/Relaxed

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45
Q

If the dog’s body is tense it indicates they are

A

Stressed

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46
Q

Forward & Loose

A

Playful

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47
Q

Body loose but low or leaning back

A

Affiliative behavior looking for security

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48
Q

If the body is high, forward, tense

A

Stressed, on alert or about to show a threat display

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49
Q

Dog not making eye contact or adverting his gaze

A

Submission, Appeasement, Deference or Fear

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50
Q

Soft eyes with direct contact, perhaps blinking slowly

A

Most likely relaxed and friendly

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51
Q

A hard stare usually indicates

A

Alertness, excitement or arousal

May be uncomfortable and display agonistic behaviors if pushed over threshold

52
Q

The sclera is the

A

White of the eye

53
Q

Whale eye is when

A

The sclera, or whites of the eyes, are showing

Usually indicates stress, anxiety or fear. Common in resource guarding.

54
Q

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) A fearful or anxious dog moving their head away from but not being able to look away from something making them uncomfortable

55
Q

If a dog is displaying whale eye you should

A

Give the dog space

56
Q

An agonistic pucker is

A

Lips tight and pushed forward.

57
Q

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

A

E) Both A & B

Submissive grin are an Appeasement or Deference signal

58
Q

A dog “smiling” is a colloquial term for

A

A submissive grin.

Usually squinty eyes, maybe sneezing and a lowered posture soliciting attention

59
Q

An open mouth, possibly with light panting or a lolling tounge

A

Usually means the dog is relaxed

60
Q

Licking lips without the presence of food

A

Can be a sign of stress or fear

61
Q

Yawning when the dog is not tired can be a sign of

A

Stressed or fearful

62
Q

Forward relaxed ears usually indicate

A

Attentive, curious, friendly

63
Q

Ears that are forward and high or pricked can indicate

A

Arousal

64
Q

Ears that are dropped and relaxed can indicate

A

Calm and friendly

65
Q

Ears that are pinned back can indicate

A

Appeasement, deference or fear

66
Q

Brow ridges and tension in the facial muscles can indicate

A

Stress, Fear, Conflict, Arousal

67
Q

A high carried tail, sometimes with a fast wag (aka flagging) may indicate

A

Tension, excitement, arousal

68
Q

A medium/low carried tail with a fast wag may indicate

A

Submission, appeasement or just a happy dog

69
Q

A medium/low carried tail that is waving gently

A

A calm and relaxed dog

70
Q

“Tail below the horizon” is an adage meaning

A

The dog is probably safe to approach

71
Q

“Tail above the horizon” is an adage indicating

A

To use caution

72
Q

A tucked tail indicates

A

A fearful dog or one displaying submission or appeasement

73
Q

Barking/growling
Lip lift/snarl
Lunging
Forward body
Looking/walking away
Ground sniffing
Whale eye
Paw lift

A

Distance Increasing Behavior

74
Q

Distance Increase or Decrease?

Paw lift, body leaning back

A

Distance Increase

75
Q

Piloerection is also known as

A

Raised hackles

A sign of arousal (not necessarily aggressive)

76
Q

Appeasement behaviors serve to

A

Avoid conflict

77
Q

A dog moving slowly with a lowered body position, ears held back and down, possibly urination is a sign of

A

Passive Appeasement

78
Q

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

A

Active Appeasement.

Dog can’t flee, so it tries to show it is no threat and limit antagonistic behavior

79
Q

Play bow
Curved body
Loose tail wag
Presenting their rear
Hip nudging

A

Distance Decreasing Behavior

80
Q

Yawning
Lip licking / Tongue Flicks
Shake offs
Slow movements in an arc
Head turn
Ground sniffing

A

Calming signals

81
Q

Calming signals are also known as

A

Displacement Behaviors

82
Q

Displacement Behaviors are also known as

A

Calming Signals

83
Q

Yawning (when not tired is) a
A) Displacement Behavior
B) Agonistic Behavior
C) Appeasement Behavior
D) Submissive Behavior

A

A) Displacement Behavior

84
Q

Gestures that are used to avoid conflict, calm other dogs, lessen or diffuse aggression or calm themselves are

A

Displacement Behaviors aka Calming Signals

85
Q

Eustress is

A

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

86
Q

If a dog starts sniffing suddenly without context it is likely a

A

Displacement Behavior

87
Q

Heavy shedding for no reason
Dilated pupils
Sweaty Paws
Trembling

A

Signs of Distress

88
Q

When a dog is in distress which part of the brain is in play

A

The limbic system

89
Q

Dogs in distress should be

A

Removed from the situation and given time to decompress

90
Q

The correct way to approach a dog in a non threatening way

A

Approach sideways, don’t lean over the dog, avert your gaze, don’t reach out to the dog

91
Q

Unsocialized, under socialized or improper socialization can cause what in terms of body language?

A

Inhibited communication.

They never learned to read and understand dog body language.

92
Q

What features in breeds can lead to inhibited communication or unintentional mixed messages?

A

Dogs with docked tails, curled tails, cropped or naturally prick ears, excessive facial wrinkles, a long coat or bracycephalic breeds

93
Q

Fixed action patterns or motor programs are

A

Instinctive or innate behaviors

94
Q

Innate behaviors hardwired into the dog’s nervous system are referred to as

A

Fixed action patterns, motor programs or modal action patterns (MAPs)

Dogs are born with these behaviors and do not need to learn them

95
Q

Species Unique vs Species Typical means

A

Only dogs do it (bark) vs Other species also do it (yawning)

96
Q

Breed characteristics can influence

A

Fixed action patterns

97
Q

Caching refers to

A

Hiding or burying food

98
Q

The full predatory sequence is

A

Orient > Eye > Stalk > Chase > Grab/Bite > Grab/Kill > Dissect > Consume

99
Q

The predatory sequence has been heavily modified in selective breeding to

A

Either:
Exaggerate (hypertrophy)
Maintain
Mute

Certain parts of the predatory sequence

100
Q

Herding breeds often have which part of the predatory sequence reinforced through breeding?

A

Eye, Stalk, Chase

101
Q

A level one bite is

A

An air snap - obnoxious behavior but no contact

102
Q

Skin contact by teeth but no puncture, maybe a scratch is what level bite?

A

Level 2

103
Q

One to four punctures no deeper than half the length of a canine with possible lacerations is what level bite?

A

Level 3

104
Q

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

A

Level 4

105
Q

A multiple bite incident with deep wounds or multiple lacerations is what level bite?

A

Level 5

106
Q

In a dog attack where the victim dies, what level is it on the Dunbar bite scale?

A

Level 6

107
Q

A “temp test” is testing what?

A

The dog’s temperament

108
Q

Assess-a-Pet and SAFER tests are usually used by

A

Shelters

109
Q

Volhard and A PET tests are usually used by

A

Breeders

110
Q

The C.A.R.A.T. test is usually used by

A

People assessing Service Dog candidates

111
Q

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

A

B) Is aware he is a dog

112
Q

Calming Signals are used for all of the following except to:
A) Diffuse aggression
B) Avoid Conflict
C) Indicate Submissivness
D) Calm other dogs

A

C) Indicate Submissives

113
Q

The Secondary Socialization Period tends to occur around:
A) 2-4 weeks
B) 14-20 weeks
C) 28-36 weeks
D) 7-12 weeks

A

D) 7-12 weeks

114
Q

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

A

D) As early as 7 to 8 weeks when the puppy has had one set of vaccines

115
Q

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

A

B) Once they reach the first fear imprint period

116
Q

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

A

B) Wolves have shorter legs than dogs

117
Q

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) a low wagging tail

118
Q

Distance- Decreasing behaviors may include all except:
A) Paw lift
B) Presenting rear end
C) Hip nudge
D) Play bow

A

A) Paw lift

119
Q

Puppies are usually weaned during what period:
A) Neonatal
B) Transitional
C) Primary Socialization
D) Adolescence

A

C) Primary Socialization

3-7 weeks

120
Q

Intact females are receptive to males during
A) Proestrus
B) Estrus
C) Anestrus
D) Diestrus

A

B) Estrus

121
Q

Neoteny is

A

The retention of juvenile features in the adult

122
Q

Phylogenetic behavior is

A

Natural behavior that is inherited genetically. Example, yawning or the predatory sequence.

123
Q

Ontogenetic behavior is

A

Development of learned behavior from life experiences.

124
Q

The prenatal period is

A

Before birth

125
Q

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

A

C) Conflicted

126
Q

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is active when a dog is
A) Stressed
B) Relaxed

A

A) Stressed

127
Q

The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS) is active when a dog is
A) Stressed
B) Relaxed

A

B) Relaxed/Resting

Tip: P = Peaceful