Animal Behavior - Dogs

periods + terms

Neonatal period (0-14 days old)

completely reliant on mom for survival, eyes and ears are closed, limited motor skills, cannot lift body (moved forward w/ limbs), sensitive to touch and smell, spends most of the time sleeping and eating, mom must stimulate elimination thru licking, short periods of handling can have positive long-term effects

Transitional period (14 days- 3 or 4 weeks old)

rapid sensory and motor development, eliminated on its own and will leave nest to do so, begins walking, playfighting, growling, and tail wags, ear canals open and start startle response to noises, interested in solid food, interaction with littermates becomes important for species identification development

Socialization period (4-14 weeks old)

begin learning environment and how to interact normally with others, explore a lot but fearful to stimuli, vocalize loudly when separate from mom or siblings, develops substrate preference for elimination, MOST IMPORTANT PART OF DEVELOPMENT, exposure to variety of stimuli is critical for normal behavior, dogs not well socialized show more fear

Juvenile (14 weeks- 6 months)

sexual maturity reaches and adult sexual behavior begin, do not reach social maturity until 18 mo, positive non threatening exposure to new people and things should continue

Dominant role

leader role taken in relationship between two individuals

Subordinate role

following role taken in relationship between two individuals

Signs of fear in dogs

lowered head, ears, and neck, lip smacking/licking, tucked tail, rolling over/exposing inguinal area, avoid eye contact, stress yawn, may bare teeth,snap,growl if space is compromised

Canine Aggression

stiff gait (leaning forward), ears erect and forward, tail up, piloerection may be present (along back and tail), bared teeth (typically js canines and incisors), accurately identifying aggression: normal interaction (toy) vs. continuing to attack, need to determine if its aggression vs. confidence

more subtle signs of fear and anxiety

licking lips, panting, brows furrowed/ears to side, moving in slow motion, acting sleeping/yawning, hypervigilant, suddenly wont eat, moving away, pacing

relaxed state

pupils normal for ambient light, soft muscles, flat haircoat, tail is at midline or lower, gaze is freely moving, choose to interact w people, mouth is closed and soft lips, all paws on the ground freely moving

mild stress

normal to mild pupil dilation, soft muscles, flat haircoat, tail is midline or lower, soft, gaze is freely moves but looks away, mouth may be open, lips relaxed, dogs may pant lightly, dogs may lift a front paw, may place paws on humans

moderate stress

mild to moderate pupil dilation, some tension in muscles, flat haircoat, tail is above or below midline, tense, gaze will fix on threat or fix away from threat, mouth tense, commissure of lips tight (dogs may pants w lips pulled back), lifting a front paw, pawing at humans

severe stress

pupils fully dilated, tense muscles some will be frozen, some piloerection/cats may puff tail, tail is high or tucked tight tense, looking directly at or completely away from threat, direct starting, mouth tense, lips may be retracted to show teeth, panting heavily with lips pulled back or close mouth w tight tense lips, standing or crouching with weight forward or backward