A friend or an enemy? Dogs’ reaction to an unfamiliar person showing behavioural cues of threat and friendliness at different times

Dogs and Strangers

Judit Vas, József Topál, Márta Gácsi, Ádám Miklósi, Vilmos Csányi

A friend or an enemy? Dogs’ reaction to an unfamiliar person showing behavioural cues of threat and friendliness at different times

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 94, Issues 1–2, October 2005, Pages 99–115

Abstract

Responsiveness of adult pet dogs (Canis familiaris) to an unfamiliar human was observed in two studies. Subjects were faced with an approaching woman (Stranger) who showed definite signs of friendliness and threat during alternate approaches. Observations consisted of two episodes: the Stranger either approached the dog in normal speed of walk while talking to it and finally petted it gently (Friendly approach episode) or she moved slowly and haltingly and looked steadily into the eyes of the dog without any verbal communication (Threatening approach episode).

In the first study 30 dogs of 19 different breeds were tested in the two episodes in a balanced sequential order. The dogs acted appropriately according to the different human behaviour cues. The order of the Friendly/Threatening approaches had no significant effect on the dogs’ responsivity.

In the second experiment 60 dogs of three breed groups (20 Belgian shepherds, 20 retrievers and 20 sled dogs) were first ‘greeted friendly’ and then approached ‘threateningly’ by the same Stranger. Results show significant breed specific differences in the responsivity when dogs faced an apparent switch of the human behaviour cues. Compared to retrievers and sled dogs, Belgian shepherds more frequently changed their response, showing passive or active avoidance or sign of aggression when approached threateningly.

While sex differences were not found, breed comparisons suggest that selective breeding (i.e. for hunting or shepherd work) influenced the dogs’ sensitivity to human social cues in different ways. Results also support the hypothesis that human influence (domestication) has led to extreme flexibility of the dogs’ situation-relevant behaviour while interacting with an unfamiliar human.

Owners' perception of food flavor preferences of pet dogs in relation to measured preferences of laboratory dogs

Dog Food Flavor Preference

Sharon L. Smith, David S. Kronfeld, Charles A. Banta

Owners' perception of food flavor preferences of pet dogs in relation to measured preferences of laboratory dogs

Applied Animal Ethology, Volume 10, Issues 1–2, March 1983, Pages 75–87

Abstract

In this study, food flavor preferences were examined in pet dogs and in laboratory dogs by feeding the same foods to each group; 3 specially formulated dry foods differing only in flavor. Three panels of laboratory dogs were given choices between 2 of the test foods, and their preferences were determined from quantities eaten. Sixty pet dogs were given the test foods by their owners in the manner dry food was usually served. The owners rated their perception of the dog's response to each test food by using a standard rating scale.

The laboratory dogs preferred some test foods over others. The pet-dog owners interpreted their dogs' responses as indicating no preference for any test food over any other, although individual owners' interpretations did vary. Some variables were examined in the pet dogs as a function of the variation in their perceived responses to the test foods. Variables were selected from diverse aspects of pet dogs; physical characteristics, feeding regime, behavior toward food, physical and social environments. Of the variables examined, only the dog's sex was associated with preferences for 2 of the test foods. None of the variables were associated with preferences for all 3 foods. Several were associated with preferences for only one food. The results of this study indicated a need to examine typical feeding behavior in pet dogs within the context of the home, and suggested several variables that appear to influence food flavor preferences.

Male and female dogs respond differently to men and women

Deborah L. Wells, Peter G. Hepper

Male and female dogs respond differently to men and women

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 61, Issue 4, 28 January 1999, Pages 341–349

Abstract

The effect of canine and/or human gender on the response of the domestic dog towards humans has been little studied. This study investigated the reactions of male and female dogs housed in an animal rescue shelter towards the presence of men and women to determine how a dog's response towards a person was influenced by canine and human gender. The response of 30 dogs housed in the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) to each of six people (three men and three women), who stood individually for a period of 2 min at the front of the dog's cage, was observed. The amount of time that the dog spent at the front of the cage, barking, looking towards the human, wagging its tail, and engaged in activities of sitting, standing, moving, resting, was recorded. Canine gender exerted an influence on the amount of time that dogs spent looking towards the humans. Female dogs showed a greater decrease in the amount of time they spent looking towards the humans over the course of the testing than male dogs. Human gender had an effect on both dog barking, and eye orientation. Dogs showed a stronger decrease in their barking and their tendency to look towards the human whenever the subject was a woman than a man, suggesting that dogs may be more defensively-aggressive towards men than women. There was no interaction between canine and human gender on the dog's response towards the persons. This study indicated that both canine and human gender influence certain elements of a dog's response towards the presence of a human. The findings may have practical implications for the re-housing of dogs from rescue shelters.

Eliminatory behaviour of domestic dogs in an urban environment

James B. Reid, David F. Chantrey, C. Davie

Eliminatory behaviour of domestic dogs in an urban environment

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 12, Issue 3, April 1984, Pages 279–287

Abstract

Although dogs are valuable, indeed essential, members of society, they sometimes cause problems of an aesthetic, environmental or public health nature arising from their eliminatory habits. To identify which kinds of dog are more likely to be responsible for these problems, defaecation and urination by domestic dogs under varying degrees of human control were studied in the field. Observations were made between February 1980 and November 1981 in 2 streets, 2 landscaped parks and 2 large rough grass areas. The dogs most likely to defaecate in these public places were those who were accompanied by their owner, but not restricted by being on a lead. There was also an inverse correlation between the number of visits made by dogs on a lead to, and faeces density in, the study sites. Generally, the dogs responsible for most urination were discovered to be those off rather than on a lead, males rather than females, and pedigree males rather than mongrel males. Explanations of these findings, and suggestions for minimising dog fouling of the environment, are offered.

Observations of scent-marking and discriminating self from others by a domestic dog (Canis familiaris): tales of displaced yellow snow

Marc Bekoff

Observations of scent-marking and discriminating self from others by a domestic dog (Canis familiaris): tales of displaced yellow snow

Behavioural Processes, Volume 55, Issue 2, 15 August 2001, Pages 75–79

Abstract

Little is known about what stimuli trigger urinating or scent-marking in domestic dogs, Canis familiaris, or their wild relatives. While it is often suggested that the urine of other animals influences urinating and scent-marking patterns in canids, this has not been verified experimentally. To investigate the role of urine in eliciting urinating and marking, in this pilot study I moved urine-saturated snow (‘yellow snow’) from place-to-place during five winters to compare the responses of an adult male domestic dog, Jethro, to his own and others' urine. Jethro spent less time sniffing his own urine than that of other males or females, and that while his interest in his own urine waned with time it remained relatively constant for other individuals' urine. Jethro infrequently urinated over or sniffed and then immediately urinated over (scent-marked) his own urine. He marked over the urine of other males more frequently than he marked over females' urine. The method used here can be extended to other species for which experimental data are lacking. Though based on one dog, these novel data may further our knowledge of the role of scent-marking in territorial behavior and of sex differences in territory acquisition and maintenance.

Breed and sex differences in the behavioural attributes of specialist search dogs—a questionnaire survey of trainers and handlers

Nicola J Rooney, John W.S Bradshaw

Breed and sex differences in the behavioural attributes of specialist search dogs—a questionnaire survey of trainers and handlers

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 86, Issues 1–2, 20 May 2004, Pages 123–135

Abstract

The behavioural characteristics of specialist search dogs were examined using a survey of 244 dog handlers and trainers. The English Springer Spaniel was the most common breed, followed by the Labrador Retriever, cross breeds and the Border Collie. Individuals of these four breeds varied significantly on 5 out of 30 characteristics, as rated by their handlers, namely; tendency to be distracted when searching, agility, motivation to obtain food, independence, and stamina. English Springer Spaniels and Border Collies scored significantly closer to ideal levels than did Labrador Retrievers and cross breeds, for several of these characteristics. Overall satisfaction with the handler’s own dog(s) did not differ between the four most common breeds and was also unaffected by the dog’s sex. However, males and females did differ in their ratings for one characteristic; males were rated higher than females, which were rated closer to the ideal, for aggression towards other dogs. Overall, there appeared to be little difference between the sexes in their suitability for search work.

Reported behaviour problems in pet dogs in Denmark: age distribution and influence of breed and gender

Jørgen Damkjer Lund, Jens Frederik Agger, Klaus S. Vestergaard

Reported behaviour problems in pet dogs in Denmark: age distribution and influence of breed and gender

Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 28, Issue 1, August 1996, Pages 33–48

Abstract

In the period 1987–1991 the consultant service established by the Danish Animal Welfare Society and the Danish Civil Dog Training Association reported 3975 problems in relation to pet dogs in Denmark. With nine categories of problem behaviour a total of 2719 problems were recorded in 2238 dogs. The data were analysed for the influence of breed, gender and age on the risk of developing behaviour problems. The analysis was designed as a case-control study using two control groups: (1) dogs registered by Danish Kennel Club in a 5-year period and (2) dogs treated at The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark in a 4-month period. Thirteen breeds or breed groups including mixed breeds were compared with a reference group consisting of Labrador Retrievers. Compared with the reference group, Alsatians seemed to have higher risks of aggression towards other dogs, aggression towards strangers and general anxiety. For Cocker Spaniels higher risks of aggression towards the owner, aggression towards strangers and indoor urination/defecation were found. Collies seemed to have higher risks of aggression towards strangers, indoor urination/defecation and general anxiety. Furthermore, a higher risk of general anxiety was found in Poodles and Fox Terriers. Generally, Dachshunds, a group consisting of all terriers excluding Fox Terriers and mixed breeds, seemed to have a low risk of behaviour problems. Compared with females, males seemed to have a lower risk of general anxiety and a higher risk of problems related to lack of training and all kinds of aggression. About 80% of the behaviour problems were reported within the first 3 years of life. Only 5.5% of the dogs were suggested to be or were in fact euthanized.

The relationship of fearfulness to, and the effects of, sex, age and experience on exploration and activity in dogs

M.E. Goddard, R.G. Beilharz

The relationship of fearfulness to, and the effects of, sex, age and experience on exploration and activity in dogs

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 12, Issue 3, April 1984, Pages 267–278

Abstract

The correlations between measures of activity in different situations, including inhibitory training, were positive but low. Activity in non-stressful situations was independent of fearfulness. There appears to be individual variation between dogs which determines whether a dog responds to fear by increasing or decreasing activity. Fearfulness was correlated with high visual and auditory exploration. General fearfulness was uncorrelated with olfactory exploration, but lack of experience in crowded, noisy places increased both olfactory exploration and fear of certain objects likely to be encountered in such places, and so caused a correlation between these two traits. Dogs which were reared in a home with another dog were less distracted by other dogs. Between 6 and 12 months, the dogs declined in activity and unwanted exploration. Females showed a higher level of activity during inhibitory training and a higher level of olfactory exploration than males.