socialization

Question 1

what are two periods of socialization?

Answer 1

critical periods and sensitive periods

Question 2

what are sensitive periods?

Answer 2

Time in the life of an animal when a small amount of experience (or total lack of experience) will have a large effect on later behavior

Question 3

define imprinting and provide an example

Answer 3

◼ A species-specific rapid type of learning during a critical period of early life in which social attachment and identification are established
◼ A rapid type of learning occurring very early in life

Recognition and following
Examples of results of imprinting

Question 4

how is imprinting defined by Lorenz?

Answer 4

1. Can occur during a defined and short period of
   the animal’s life
2. Is irreversible
3. Involves attachment to an object that will later evoke adult behavior patterns, including sexual behavior
4. Involves reactions to a particular object that can be generalized to all objects in that class

Question 5

true/false: imprinting seems to be irreversible and influence adult patterns of social behavior

Answer 5

true

Question 6

true/false: imprinting is a type of socialization

Answer 6

false

Question 7

what animal is imprinting most common in?

Answer 7

birds, ducklings

Question 8

describe imprinting in foals

Answer 8

◼ Neonatal foals will follow any large moving
object
◼ Dr Robert Miller
- “imprint training of foals”
- Habituation & learned helplessness
◼ Mal & McCall
- Routine handling vs. 10 min twice a day

Question 9

when 4-8 week old lambs were placed with dogs for 9 weeks, the lambs were given a choice to cohabit with lambs or dogs. which did the lambs choose?

Answer 9

◼ Chose dogs
◼ Returned with sheep
- Lost response of following dogs

Question 10

sensitive periods are based on the observation that The organization of a system is most easily modified during:

Answer 10

the time of development when organization is proceeding most rapidly

Question 11

socialization in precocial vs adult

Answer 11

precocial
◼ Begins before or shortly after birth
◼ Begins later in altricial species

adult
◼ Secondary socialization
◼ Differs qualitatively & develops at a slower rate than primary

Question 12

when do sensitive periods occur?

Answer 12

• during the interval when the animal is first able to control their movements with some skill
• Can make full use of their senses: Sight and Hearing
• Can learn to identify & remember other individuals

Question 13

what are the sensitive periods in the dog

Answer 13

◼ Neonatal period
◼ Transitional period
◼ Period of socialization
◼ Juvenile period

Question 14

during the neonatal stage, how is most of the puppy’s time spent?

Answer 14

eating and sleeping, puppy is blind and deaf

Question 15

in the neonatal stage, urination and defecation do not occur spontaneously via stimulation of the _______ area

Answer 15

anogenital

Question 16

during the neonatal stage, what reflex is present for how long that will disappear as the central nervous system matures

Answer 16

◼ Magnus reflex (nervous system not fully developed, balance impaired)
◼ Present for first 2 weeks

Question 17

what is the transitional stage in puppies associated with?

Answer 17

bombarded by many stimuli as sensory organs develop

Question 18

when do the eyes open during the transitional stage and how is the visual acuity?

Answer 18

open between 10-16 days and acuity is initially poor

Question 19

during the transitional stage, when is the puppy startled by auditory stimuli? when is sound localized?

Answer 19

14-18 days

localized by day 16

Question 20

what is urination and defecation characterized by in the transitional stage?

Answer 20

spontaneous

Question 21

what stage does tooth eruption and chewing begin?

Answer 21

transitional

Question 22

what stage do the puppies begin to play clumsily and growl?

Answer 22

transitional

Question 23

at what stage does primary social attachment occur?

Answer 23

socialization

Question 24

why must the animal have use of its senses during the socialization period?

Answer 24

so that it can discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar objects

Question 25

what stage must the puppy be able to remember those that are familiar, Learning is part of the process

Answer 25

socialization

Question 26

what stage is the most important sensitive period from behavioral viewpoint

Answer 26

socialization

Question 27

what does the puppy learn about in week 4-14 during the socialization stage?

Answer 27

◼ Environment
◼ Littermates
◼ Humans

Question 28

what stage do puppies play at its highest frequency?

Answer 28

socialization

Question 29

what behaviors are characterized by the socialization period?

Answer 29

◼ Dominance hierarchies are formed
◼ Avoidance behavior develops
◼ Fear reactions seen by 8 weeks

Question 30

what will happen if puppies are weaned & removed from company of other dogs before period of socialization?

Answer 30

◼ As adults, will be difficult to handle in presence of other dogs
◼ Be frightened of other dogs 
◼ aggressive
◼ Won’t play with other dogs 
◼ Won’t breed
◼ May be too human oriented

Question 31

how many weeks before little to no contact with humans will make the dog not a good pet?

Answer 31

before 14 weeks

Question 32

describe kennelitis

Answer 32

Dog raised in a kennel & little contact with humans

◼ Difficult to train

Question 33

what happens if puppies are isolated from 3-20 weeks

Answer 33

◼ Markedly disturbed
◼ Learning ability impaired
◼ Fear response to humans & other dogs

Question 34

what is the best time for socialization of a puppy to another species?

Answer 34

6-8 weeks

Question 35

describe the juvenile stage

Answer 35

◼ Dog increases in size & competency in adult activities

◼ Sexual behavior

Question 36

when do dogs sexually mature?

Answer 36

4-6 months

Question 37

at what age will attraction to a female increase until?

Answer 37

2 years

Question 38

what does sexual behavior indicate about the maturity of a dog?

Answer 38

fully mature