dogs 150

when & where were bones of wolves found near humans

Bones of wolves along with those of humans were found in North China (300,000 years old) and in Kent, England (400,000 years old)

when & where were dogs domesticated

Domesticated about 12,000 years ago (~10,000 B.C.) probably around modern day Germany

dog ancestors

Wolves or Jackals were probably “precursors” to the modern dogs

why were dogs domesticated

Domesticated for companionship and hunting

when were breeds of dogs formed

Distinctive breeds of dogs probably were not present until 3,000 to 4,000 years ago

By the Roman Empire, it is believed that most of the main breeds of dogs were intact and well defined

dog terminology

Bitch - female

Stud - intact male

Puppy - young dog of either sex

Whelping - parturition (birth process)

Spaying - ovariohysterectomy (remove ovaries and uterus)

duration of estrus & estrous in dogs

estrus: average - 9 days (3-21 d)

estrous: average -183 days (but extremely variable)

• two a year, 6 mo apart (not technically seasonal/cycle)

Influenced by breed

• German Shepherds hv estrous cycles of 4 -4.5 mo

• Basenji (African dog) only have 1 estrus/yr

os penis

Os penis is a small bone is the bulbus glandis (head of penis)

Because of the os penis, penetration is achieved without erection

(can be an issue if male gets too excited before penetrating, they cannot breed)

what is the “tie”

Once the penis is inside of the vagina, erection occurs which results in the “tie”

The tie occurs when the portion of the penis with the os penis engorges with blood and swells to a size so large that it is firmly locked within the vagina

canine breeding myths regarding ties and water

• The tie is not essential for pregnancy.

• Ties break spontaneously.

• Throwing water on either dog doesn’t really help

Pseudopregnancy

false pregnancies

females hv CL & pregnancy hormones, but no fetus (can even go close to term)

It has been estimated that 50 to 75% of intact bitches will show signs of pseudopregnancy at some point in their life.

not permanent

what is thought to be the cause of pseudopregnancies?

It is believed that pseudopregnancy is a “normal abnormality” left over from canine ancestors.

In wild herds of canines, pseudopregnant bitches nurse puppies from the alpha female or from bitches that died during whelping

• alpha may only breed alpha female

dog audition: bark

Territorial call for most dogs

Dogs will alter tone and amplitude of bark to mean different things

• For example, dogs bark when they want to be let in or out of a house is usually different from that directed to a strange dog or unfamiliar human

Wild canids bark, but it is a trait that has been selected for by humans during domestication

dog audition: whine

Care-soliciting (signifies pain, fright, or mild frustration)

dog audition: growl

Aggressive or distance-increasing call of dogs

dog audition: howl

Has not been deciphered well

It probably is how dogs really communicate verbally with each other

It is believed that most canids can distinguish strange adult and pup howls

dog postures

Dogs use tail, face, ears, mouth and hair to convey moods and emotions

They also use the position of their body (standing or lying)

Neutral:

• tail down

• ears down

• standing upright

Aroused / Interested-

• tail up

• ears up

• standing upright on toes or with a front leg raised

Play Soliciting

• tail up and wagging slightly

• ears erect

• standing up right and moving or gesturing slightly with front paws

Active Greeting

• tail wagging over a wide range

• ears erect

• more exaggerated motion with front paws

Agression

• tail up

• ears erect

• weight on front feet

• exposed teeth

Fear

• tail tucked

• ears back and down

• weight on rear feet

• exposed teeth

Submissive

• tail tucked

• ears back and turned down

• crouching on all four legs or rolled over to expose belly

how the body language moves

Chronological Development of Selected Behaviors in Dogs (chart)

(arrow means it continues on)

isolation chart

ex: when dogs were socialized w/ humans mostly, then they preferred humans over dogs (prove it is learnd behavior, not instinct.

compare play sol. & fighting learned behaviors match w/ the “no social play or aggression”

Destructiveness - Dogs causes

Destructiveness in Dogs appears to be increasing and may be related to:

• increased number of young owners

• decreased contact during the day between dogs and owners.

Destructiveness - Dogs Contributing Factors

Breed

Boredom

Separation Anxiety

Barrier Frustration