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Livestock guarding dogs communication strategies and behaviors in front of wolves
Abstracts attention-getting behaviors, 3) the requirement of an audience to exhibit the behaviors. Taking these 3 criteria as a reference, we analyzed how pet dogs engage in communicative behaviors in the presence of their owner when the dogs’ toy is out of reach. Observations were performed when only the toy, only the owner or both the toy and the owner were present to control for motivational (vs. intentional) and referential nature of the behaviors. Gaze alternation between the hidden target and the owner, and the position of the dogs in relation to the location of the target were analyzed. The results show that, as in chimpanzees, gaze alternation was used, by the dogs, as an apparent functionally referential and intentional communicative behavior. The dogs apparently also used their own position as a local enhancement signal. We concluded that part of the criteria to assess apparent referential and intentional communicative behaviors in gaze alternations and locations in space, is found in dogs. Key words: dog; human–dog interaction; referential behaviors; intentional behaviors; communication
Reference Leavens, D.A., Russell, J.L., Hopkins, W.D., 2005. Intentionality as measured in the persistence and elaboration of communication by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Child Dev. 76, 291–306.
LIVESTOCK GUARDING DOGS COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND BEHAVIORS IN FRONT OF WOLVES M. Gete*, J.-M. Landry Institut pour la Promotion et la Recherche sur les Animaux de Protection, Martigny, Suisse *Corresponding author: [email protected] This study sought to identify the behavioral mechanisms and communication strategies among livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) that confront wolves, with emphasis on LGDs’ vocalizations. We hypothesized that barks play a major role among LGDs, especially when facing predators like wolves. We plan to playback different types of barks and then to measure their influences on LGDs behaviors (postures, moves, vocalizations) and physiological changes (heart rate, glucocorticoid and catecholamine levels). The LGDs threat barks will be played back in the direction of other LGDs, captive wolves and wild wolves, in the hope that we can identify vocalizations which will modify wolves’ behaviors to make them leave as part of a preventative strategy. Key words: behavior; communication; vocalization; livestock guarding dogs; wolf
THE DOMESTICATION OF THE DOG: AN UNRIVALLED ALLIANCE J.-M. Giffroy* University of Namur, Belgium *Corresponding author: [email protected]
e7 Based on archeozoology research and molecular genetics the wolf is its main ancestor of dogs. Domestication occurred before 15,000 BP, at least 5,000 years before the domestication of any other species. The supposed site or sites of the first dog domestication are disputed, but likely situated either in Europe or in Asia. The genetic modification of dogs has led them to an understanding of visual cues from humans and to more efficient communication with humans. This seems to be confirmed by studies on a silver fox population which was selected according to a process similar to the one that was used at the time of the domestication. Key words: domestication; dog; human-animal interaction
OBSERVING SIGNS OF ANXIETY IN PUPPY: AN INDICATION OF FUTURE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS? M. Godbout1,*, D. Frank2 1 Centre Veterinaire Daubigny, 3349 Boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Quebec, QC, Canada G1P 2J3 2 Universite de Montreal, Faculte de Medecine Veterinaire, Centre hospitalier Universitaire Veterinaire, C.P. 5000. St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada J2S 7C6 *Corresponding author: [email protected] Many studies have shown that temperament testing might be useful to assess a puppy’s skills for a specific task as an adult, but such tests usually fail to predict development of specific adult behavior. The first veterinary examination is usually performed between 8 and 16 weeks of age, so general practitioners are well placed to detect any abnormal puppy behavior. Unfortunately, unlike medical disorders, there are few published data on the range of ‘‘normal puppy behavior’’ and on behavioral changes during the dog’s development. Excessive mouthing (continuous desire to bite a human hand during handling) is one of the biggest concerns of new puppy owners, and they wonder whether this behavior is a predictor of future aggressive behaviors. As a new approach to evaluate a puppy’s future behavior, the authors proposed observation of the puppy’s emotional state. Behavior of 102 8 to 16 week-old puppies of various breeds was investigated in 3 different contexts within the veterinary clinical environment (observation of the puppy free on the floor, physical examination on a table and various manipulations on the floor). The distribution of the behavioral response was wide but most puppies behaved in a similar fashion. Approximately 10% of puppies behaved very differently (outliers) compared to the others by showing a high level of signs compatible with anxiety. A prospective study comparing these puppy behaviors with those observed one year later in the same contexts showed that most puppy behaviors tend to persist in adulthood. Signs of anxiety showed the highest correlation between the 2 data collection sessions. As fear and anxiety seem to play an important role in development of behavioral problems in dogs, early detection may help prevent some unwanted behaviors.
Reference Leavens, D.A., Russell, J.L., Hopkins, W.D., 2005. Intentionality as measured in the persistence and elaboration of communication by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Child Dev. 76, 291–306.
LIVESTOCK GUARDING DOGS COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND BEHAVIORS IN FRONT OF WOLVES M. Gete*, J.-M. Landry Institut pour la Promotion et la Recherche sur les Animaux de Protection, Martigny, Suisse *Corresponding author: [email protected] This study sought to identify the behavioral mechanisms and communication strategies among livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) that confront wolves, with emphasis on LGDs’ vocalizations. We hypothesized that barks play a major role among LGDs, especially when facing predators like wolves. We plan to playback different types of barks and then to measure their influences on LGDs behaviors (postures, moves, vocalizations) and physiological changes (heart rate, glucocorticoid and catecholamine levels). The LGDs threat barks will be played back in the direction of other LGDs, captive wolves and wild wolves, in the hope that we can identify vocalizations which will modify wolves’ behaviors to make them leave as part of a preventative strategy. Key words: behavior; communication; vocalization; livestock guarding dogs; wolf
THE DOMESTICATION OF THE DOG: AN UNRIVALLED ALLIANCE J.-M. Giffroy* University of Namur, Belgium *Corresponding author: [email protected]
e7 Based on archeozoology research and molecular genetics the wolf is its main ancestor of dogs. Domestication occurred before 15,000 BP, at least 5,000 years before the domestication of any other species. The supposed site or sites of the first dog domestication are disputed, but likely situated either in Europe or in Asia. The genetic modification of dogs has led them to an understanding of visual cues from humans and to more efficient communication with humans. This seems to be confirmed by studies on a silver fox population which was selected according to a process similar to the one that was used at the time of the domestication. Key words: domestication; dog; human-animal interaction
OBSERVING SIGNS OF ANXIETY IN PUPPY: AN INDICATION OF FUTURE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS? M. Godbout1,*, D. Frank2 1 Centre Veterinaire Daubigny, 3349 Boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Quebec, QC, Canada G1P 2J3 2 Universite de Montreal, Faculte de Medecine Veterinaire, Centre hospitalier Universitaire Veterinaire, C.P. 5000. St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada J2S 7C6 *Corresponding author: [email protected] Many studies have shown that temperament testing might be useful to assess a puppy’s skills for a specific task as an adult, but such tests usually fail to predict development of specific adult behavior. The first veterinary examination is usually performed between 8 and 16 weeks of age, so general practitioners are well placed to detect any abnormal puppy behavior. Unfortunately, unlike medical disorders, there are few published data on the range of ‘‘normal puppy behavior’’ and on behavioral changes during the dog’s development. Excessive mouthing (continuous desire to bite a human hand during handling) is one of the biggest concerns of new puppy owners, and they wonder whether this behavior is a predictor of future aggressive behaviors. As a new approach to evaluate a puppy’s future behavior, the authors proposed observation of the puppy’s emotional state. Behavior of 102 8 to 16 week-old puppies of various breeds was investigated in 3 different contexts within the veterinary clinical environment (observation of the puppy free on the floor, physical examination on a table and various manipulations on the floor). The distribution of the behavioral response was wide but most puppies behaved in a similar fashion. Approximately 10% of puppies behaved very differently (outliers) compared to the others by showing a high level of signs compatible with anxiety. A prospective study comparing these puppy behaviors with those observed one year later in the same contexts showed that most puppy behaviors tend to persist in adulthood. Signs of anxiety showed the highest correlation between the 2 data collection sessions. As fear and anxiety seem to play an important role in development of behavioral problems in dogs, early detection may help prevent some unwanted behaviors.