Understanding Dog Behaviour

Question 1

What is nature?

Answer 1

• instinctive or innate behaviour inherited from their parental line

Question 2

What is nurture?

Answer 2

• learned behaviour they acquire from experience/their lifestyle/events in their life/watching others

Question 3

What is natural selection?

Answer 3

• the adaption of species to their natural environment

Question 4

What is artificial selection?

Answer 4

• manipulation of behavioural and physical traits through selective breeding by humans

Question 5

Dogs behavioural differences from wolves?

Answer 5

• sensitivity towards humans
• juvenile behaviour (barking and begging)
• lack the final stage of hunting pattern (killing)
• facial expressions more subtle
• body language more subtle
• calmer temperament
• males/females not inhibited from breeding

Question 6

Dogs behavioural similarities with wolves?

Answer 6

• social group is family and litter
• facial expressions and body language
• scavenging
• greeting rituals
• howling (isolated pack members)
• herding (eye and stalk phase)
• territorial (scent marking and vocalisation)

Question 7

Dogs physical characteristics from wolves?

Answer 7

• dogs have their oestrus cycle 2x as often as wolves
• dogs have smaller brain to body mass ratio
• dogs have less powerful jaws
• compacted teeth

Question 8

What dogs were originally bred for versus modern time use?

Answer 8

• dogs were originally bred to perform specific tasks for work
• in modern times, dogs have been bred as ornamental pets

Question 9

Behaviours seen in hunting breeds?

Answer 9

• active
• alert
• hunt
• point
• retrieve
• hardy

Question 10

Behaviours seen in herding breeds?

Answer 10

• stalking
• staring
• chasing

Question 11

What behaviours are seen in crossbreeds?

Answer 11

• behavioural traits have become fixed within breeds due to intensive artificial selection and crossbreeding has resulted in intermediate behaviour that differs from their purebred parents

Question 12

What behaviour is commonly seen in Cocker spaniels and golden retrievers?

Answer 12

• the gene from dopamine receptor is associated with aggressive behaviours also referred to as rage syndrome

Question 13

What behaviour is commonly seen in Dobermans?

Answer 13

• canine compulsive disorder is linked to the cadherin gene

Question 14

What are different breed characteristics?

Answer 14

• activity levels
• excessive barking
• snapping
• demand for affection
• aggression towards dogs
• aggression towards humans
• territorial defence
• trainability

Question 15

Why is it important to study breed differences?

Answer 15

• useful in matching new owners
• for heritability testing from assistance dogs, police dogs and therapy dogs

Question 16

What are the 6 life stages of dogs?

Answer 16

• pre natal
• neonatal
• transition
• socialisation
• juvenile
• adult

Question 17

Pre-natal - what occurs in this stage?

Answer 17

• offspring are dependent on their mothers physiological state during pregnancy
• also noted that emotional mothers tend to have more emotional offspring

Question 18

Neonatal - what stage is this?

Answer 18

• puppies are altricial, so are helpless and dependent on their mother

Question 19

Neonatal - what behaviours do they display at this stage?

Answer 19

• alternate sleeping and feeding
• suckling reflex is a primary behaviour
• cannot pass urine or faces without mothers help
• incapable of controlling their internal body temp
• born deaf and blind
• stay close to mother and littermates

Question 20

Neonatal - what is olfactory imprinting?

Answer 20

• they are able to recognise scent of the mother and littermates

Question 21

Transition - what occurs in this stage?

Answer 21

• rapid transition in neurological and physical development
• eyes and and ears open
• rapid increase in stimulation
• movements are more co-ordinated
• begin to learn more from. Mother through observations and copying
• engage in social play

Question 22

Socialisation - what occurs in this stage?

Answer 22

• gradual development of brain, nervous system and behaviour
• recognise littermates and capable of socialisation
• develop ability to run, inhibit biting and barking
• develop how to display social signals
• accept social rank
• explore their environment

Question 23

Socialisation - what should they be introduced to?

Answer 23

• introduced to new or unfamiliar stimuli to build confidence
• introduced to many different types of people

Question 24

Juvenile - what age are the puppies?

Answer 24

• from 12 weeks to 6 months

Question 25

Juvenile - what occurs at this stage?

Answer 25

• short attention span and still easily excited
• increased energy levels
• increased independence
• onset of puberty
• development of territorial and resource gaurding may be observed

Question 26

Adult - what age is this?

Answer 26

• 6 to 12 months
• once puberty and sexual maturity has been reached

Question 27

Adult - what occurs in this stage?

Answer 27

• they continue to add behaviours to their existing repertoire

Question 28

Geriatric - what is this age?

Answer 28

• 7 to 12 years
• varies among breed sizes mainly

Question 29

What are the 4 learning processes?

Answer 29

• habituation and sensitisation
• associative learning
• trial and error learning
• observational learning

Question 30

What is habituation?

Answer 30

• the warning of a response to an event that has no consequence or purpose
• this is the process whereby an animal becomes accustomed to a repeated environmental stimulus

Question 31

What is associative learning?

Answer 31

• when they associate their behaviour with the outcome
• occurs when 2 unrelated events become connected in a dogs mind

Question 32

What is observational learning?

Answer 32

• watching and coping from others
• puppies imitate behaviours
• they learn communication signals
• they mimic behaviours
• they use other dogs as models

Question 33

What is trial and error learning?

Answer 33

• practicing and learning from mistakes
• the dog links the behaviour with a specific reward
• positive outcomes means they are likely to repeat
• the dog uses problem solving
• this leads to positive reinforcement training