Social Behavior (DOGS)

The domestic dog is believed to have originated from:
A. Domesticated cats
B. Wolves between 11,000 and 16,000 years ago
C. Foxes in the early Holocene
D. Coyotes 5,000 years ago

B. Wolves between 11,000 and 16,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch

Contemporary wolves are important in studying canine behavior because:
A. Wolves and dogs have no genetic relationship
B. They serve as a proxy for comparing lupine and canine behavioral traits due to common ancestry
C. Wolves do not display any social behaviors
D. They are identical in behavior to domestic dogs

B. They serve as a proxy for comparing lupine and canine behavioral traits due to common ancestry

Which hypothesis explains why dogs were domesticated?
A. Dogs evolved social tolerance and attentiveness to humans and conspecifics, enabling domestication
B. Domestication occurred because dogs do not form social bonds
C. Dogs were immediately tamed without selective pressures
D. Wolves domesticated humans

A. Dogs evolved social tolerance and attentiveness to humans and conspecifics, enabling domestication

A key morphological difference between wolves and dogs is that dogs:
A. Avoid all human contact
B. Can use their eyes to communicate social messages that increase oxytocin in humans
C. Have identical eye muscles to wolves
D. Cannot see or respond to human gestures

B. Can use their eyes to communicate social messages that increase oxytocin in humans

Dogs are able to thrive in social groups because:
A. They can form bonds with humans and other species, often preferring human relationships
B. They only bond with wolves
C. They avoid human interaction entirely
D. They must only live with dogs of the same litter

A. They can form bonds with humans and other species, often preferring human relationships

Humans have selectively bred dogs over the past millennium primarily to:
A. Reduce genetic variation between breeds
B. Make all dogs identical in behavior
C. Fulfill specific functions such as hunting and guarding
D. Eliminate environmental influence on behavior

C. Fulfill specific functions such as hunting and guarding

Behavioral variation in dogs:
A. Exists as much between individuals within a breed as between breeds
B. Is completely determined by breed
C. Does not exist in small working dogs
D. Is only influenced by the size of the breed

A. Exists as much between individuals within a breed as between breeds

Breed differences in dog behavior are generally:
A. Dependent only on owner training
B. Confined to the specific characteristics for which the breed was bred
C. Determined solely by environment
D. Uniform across all traits regardless of breed purpose

B. Confined to the specific characteristics for which the breed was bred

Why is it difficult to determine the extent to which breed influences dog behavior?
A. Dogs of the same breed are genetically identical
B. Genetic variation within breeds and environmental effects on individuals confound results
C. Environmental effects are irrelevant
D. All dogs of a breed behave exactly the same

B. Genetic variation within breeds and environmental effects on individuals confound results

Making assumptions about a dog’s behavior based on breed (breed stereotyping) can:
A. Only affect small breeds
B. Ensure perfect prediction of behavior
C. Reduce the need for training
D. Lead to inaccurate assessment and inappropriate recommendations

D. Lead to inaccurate assessment and inappropriate recommendations

The activity needs of a dog:
A. Are irrelevant for working dogs
B. Can be ignored in small breeds
C. Are not necessarily reflected by the breed’s size
D. Always correspond to the breed’s size

C. Are not necessarily reflected by the breed’s size (like small but active working dogs)

Domestic dogs differ from wolves in social structure because:
A. They form family packs with male-female breeding pairs
B. They form loose associations with unrelated dogs
C. They are always solitary
D. They cannot bond with other dogs as adults

B. They form loose associations with unrelated dogs

It is common for dogs to bond with other dogs:
A. Only during puppyhood
B. Only in outdoor environments
C. Either as puppies or as adults in a home environment
D. Only if they are related

C. Either as puppies or as adults in a home environment

Bonds between dogs are maintained primarily through:
A. Aggressive competition for resources
B. Extensive social communication and play
C. Random encounters
D. Strict dominance hierarchies

B. Extensive social communication and play

Free-roaming dogs can:
A. Only live in packs of 10 or more
B. Be solitary or live in groups
C. Never interact with other dogs
D. Form rigid dominance hierarchies

B. Be solitary or live in groups

Typical group sizes of free-roaming dogs range from:
A. Two to six dogs
B. Ten to twenty dogs
C. One dog only
D. Fifteen to thirty dogs

A. Two to six dogs

Agonistic interactions over resources between dogs within a social group are:
A. Common and constant
B. Uncommon
C. Required for hierarchy formation
D. Always severe

B. Uncommon

Does a dominance hierarchy describe domestic dogs’ social relationships with each other or with humans?
A. Yes, it fully explains access to resources
B. No, priority access to valued resources is not fixed or linear
C. Yes, it is linear and predictable
D. Only for large breeds

B. No, priority access to valued resources is not fixed or linear

A dog’s access to a specific resource is determined by:
A. Linear dominance
B. Random chance
C. Motivation to obtain the resource, perceived barriers, and previous learning
D. Breed alone

C. Motivation to obtain the resource, perceived barriers, and previous learning

Linear dominance hierarchies can only be described in:
A. Relationships between unrelated dogs in a home environment
B. Relationships where one individual consistently defers to another in all contexts
C. Human-dog relationships
D. Free-roaming solitary dogs

B. Relationships where one individual consistently defers to another in all contexts

Ongoing aggressive interactions among dogs in a social group are:
A. Likely linked to linear dominance
B. Unlikely linked to linear dominance
C. Required to maintain hierarchy
D. The only way to form bonds

B. Unlikely linked to linear dominance

Dogs convey messages to other dogs and humans using:
A. Only vocalizations
B. Visual signals, vocalizations, scents, pheromones, and touch
C. Only scents and pheromones
D. Body posture only

B. Visual signals, vocalizations, scents, pheromones, and touch

Visual signals in canine communication include:
A. Tail and ear positions, facial expressions, body posture, and piloerection
B. Only piloerection
C. Only tail wagging
D. Vocalizations

A. Tail and ear positions, facial expressions, body posture, and piloerection

Scent marking in dogs:
A. Is unrelated to communication
B. Enables nearby and distant communication with other dogs
C. Is only for marking territory visually
D. Does not involve pheromones

B. Enables nearby and distant communication with other dogs

Dogs detect pheromones by:
A. Smelling with their nose only
B. Wafting them into the vomeronasal organ with the tongue
C. Visual observation
D. Listening to other dogs

B. Wafting them into the vomeronasal organ with the tongue

Dogs’ ability to perceive visual social signals is:
A. Poor and irrelevant
B. Underrated
C. Superior to humans in all ways
D. Not studied

B. Underrated

Dogs can make inferences about another dog’s emotional state by observing:
A. Tail wagging direction
B. Eye color
C. Paw size
D. Breed alone

A. Tail wagging direction (predominantly to the right or to the left)

The human ability to understand canine communication is limited primarily by:
A. Lack of access to olfactory signals
B. Poor eyesight
C. Lack of hearing
D. Tail wagging misinterpretation only

A. Lack of access to olfactory signals

With study, humans can learn to interpret canine:
A. Only vocalizations
B. Body language, vocalizations, and touch signals
C. Only tail movements
D. Only scent markings

B. Body language, vocalizations, and touch signals

Domestic dogs typically have how many heat cycles per year?
A. Only 1
B. 1–4
C. 12
D. 5–6

B. 1–4, with an average of 2

Gestation in domestic dogs lasts:
A. 90–95 days
B. 60–63 days
C. 120 days
D. 45–50 days

B. 60–63 days

False pregnancy or pseudocyesis in female dogs can lead to:
A. Only increased activity
B. Aggression toward other dogs only
C. Lactation, nesting, and protective aggression of objects
D. Only weight gain

C. Lactation, nesting, and protective aggression of objects

Castration in male dogs decreases roaming, mounting, and urine marking by:
A. 25% in 10% of dogs
B. 50% in 60% of dogs, and by 90% in 25–40% of dogs
C. 100% in all dogs
D. It has no effect

B. 50% in 60% of dogs, and by 90% in 25–40% of dogs

Castration has what effect on aggression toward human and canine family members?
A. Less marked; 50–90% decrease noted in only 25% of dogs
B. Completely eliminates aggression
C. Increases aggression in all dogs
D. No effect at all

A. Less marked; 50–90% decrease noted in only 25% of dogs

Castration has what effect on aggression toward unfamiliar people?
A. Completely prevents it
B. Greatly increases it
C. Little to no effect
D. Eliminates it in 100% of dogs

C. Little to no effect

Castration is:
A. Only effective in puppies under 3 months
B. Not found to prevent the development of aggressive behavior
C. Ineffective for all behaviors
D. A guaranteed method to prevent aggression

B. Not found to prevent the development of aggressive behavior

The framework of developmental stages in dogs is based on the work of:
A. Pavlov and Skinner
B. Scott and Fuller, 1965
C. Darwin and Lorenz
D. Konrad Lorenz only

B. Scott and Fuller, 1965

Developmental stages in puppies are considered:
A. Periods when behavior is entirely fixed
B. Sensitive periods in which the environment has an outsized effect on behavior
C. Irrelevant to socialization
D. Only important after sexual maturity

B. Sensitive periods in which the environment has an outsized effect on behavior

The timing of canine developmental periods corresponds to:
A. The lunar cycle
B. Neural developmental milestones
C. Seasonal changes
D. Breed size only

B. Neural developmental milestones

The onset and duration of developmental periods are influenced by:
A. Genetics and environment
B. Genetics only
C. Owner behavior only
D. Feeding schedule exclusively

A. Genetics and environment (therefore, NOT considered absolute)

During the neonatal period (birth to 13 days), puppies:
A. Are born with fully open eyes and ears
B. Are altricial with limited motor abilities, requiring maternal care
C. Can explore independently
D. Begin social play immediately

B. Are altricial with limited motor abilities, requiring maternal care

Maternal grooming during the neonatal period:
A. Has no effect on puppy development
B. Stimulates puppies to eat, eliminate, and remain in the nest
C. Causes stress
D. Only affects eye development

B. Stimulates puppies to eat, eliminate, and remain in the nest

Gentle human handling during the neonatal period:
A. Has lasting benefits, including better problem-solving and stress resilience
B. Leads to aggression in adulthood
C. Causes developmental delays
D. Is unnecessary until 12 weeks

A. Has lasting benefits, including better problem-solving and stress resilience (as adults)

Moderate to severe prenatal or neonatal stress:
A. Improves coping skills
B. Negatively affects development and decreases stress management ability in adulthood
C. Has no effect
D. Only affects social play

B. Negatively affects development and decreases stress management ability in adulthood

During the transitional period (13–19 days), puppies:
A. Have closed eyes and ears
B. Begin to eliminate without maternal stimulation and improve motor skills and social interactions with littermates
C. Are fully independent
D. Stop interacting with littermates

B. Begin to eliminate without maternal stimulation and improve motor skills and social interactions with littermates

The socialization period (19 days to 12 weeks) is characterized by:
A. Increased play and social interaction with conspecifics and humans
B. Complete independence from the mother
C. Aggression toward humans only
D. Reduced exploration of the environment

A. Increased play and social interaction with conspecifics and humans

A puppy’s experience in the first 7–8 weeks is important because:
A. It determines adult size
B. It influences the development of social skills
C. It has no impact after adoption
D. Only affects vocalization

B. It influences the development of social skills

Puppies lacking social and environmental exposure during the socialization period are at risk of:
A. Developing fearful and avoidant behaviors as adults
B. Becoming more aggressive to owners only
C. Showing no behavioral changes
D. Having increased intelligence only

A. Developing fearful and avoidant behaviors as adults

During the juvenile period (12 weeks to sexual maturity), puppies:
A. Decrease exploration entirely
B. Increase exploration, while avoidance of unfamiliar people begins to rise
C. Are fully independent and mature
D. Stop forming social relationships

B. Increase exploration, while avoidance of unfamiliar people begins to rise

The juvenile period can be described as a:
A. “Use or lose it” time for social skills
B. Period with no effect on adult behavior
C. Time for physical growth only
D. Period when training is impossible

A. “Use or lose it” time for social skills

Adolescence in dogs begins at:
A. Birth
B. 6–9 months (later for giant breeds)
C. 12 weeks
D. 36 months

B. 6–9 months (later for giant breeds)

Adolescence is characterized by:
A. Leg lifting, territorial behaviors, increased independence and confidence
B. Complete obedience
C. Lack of any social interaction
D. Only growth in size

A. Leg lifting, territorial behaviors, increased independence and confidence

The neurodevelopmental stage of social maturity is reached at:
A. 6–9 weeks
B. 12–36 months
C. 3–6 months
D. After 5 years

B. 12–36 months

Veterinarians and their staff should work with breeders, trainers, and shelters to:
A. Focus only on vaccination schedules
B. Ensure newly adopted dogs get off to the right start and prevent behavioral problems
C. Only provide diet recommendations
D. Discourage adoption of puppies

B. Ensure newly adopted dogs get off to the right start and prevent behavioral problems

Advice for new puppy owners should include:
A. Only obedience training commands
B. Feeding schedules exclusively
C. Grooming tips only
D. Information on canine communication, normal behavioral requirements, socialization, safe environments, and positive reinforcement training

D. Information on canine communication, normal behavioral requirements, socialization, safe environments, and positive reinforcement training

Proper development of social skills is best accomplished by:
A. Isolating puppies for the first 12 weeks
B. Waiting until 16 weeks to adopt
C. Adopting puppies into the new home at 8–10 weeks and beginning socialization as soon as possible
D. Starting training only after one year

C. Adopting puppies into the new home at 8–10 weeks and beginning socialization as soon as possible

Puppies should be enrolled in socialization classes:
A. Enrollment is unnecessary
B. Only after 6 months
C. Only if aggressive behavior is observed
D. Before 12 weeks of age in a safe and controlled instructional setting

D. Before 12 weeks of age in a safe and controlled instructional setting

Delaying socialization until maternal antibodies wane and vaccinations are complete:
A. May miss the important socialization window and increase risk of fear and anxiety-related problems
B. Prevents all behavioral problems
C. Is recommended for all puppies
D. Improves social skills

A. May miss the important socialization window and increase risk of fear and anxiety-related problems

Studies show that attending puppy socialization classes before 16 weeks:
A. Does not increase rates of canine parvovirus infection in vaccinated puppies
B. Should be avoided until 20 weeks
C. Significantly increases disease risk
D. Has no impact on social development

A. Does not increase rates of canine parvovirus infection in vaccinated puppies

In addition to formal classes, puppies should be exposed to:
A. Only human interaction
B. Only indoor stimuli
C. Only other dogs
D. Environments and experiences they will encounter throughout life

D. Environments and experiences they will encounter throughout life (grooming, car rides, visitors, traffic sounds)

When a puppy shows fear to a novel stimulus, caregivers should:
A. Ignore the behavior completely
B. Immediately expose the puppy to high-intensity stress
C. Punish the puppy
D. Gradually introduce the stimulus at nonthreatening intensity and pair it with enjoyable activities

D. Gradually introduce the stimulus at nonthreatening intensity and pair it with enjoyable activities

To foster structure and predictability, owners should:
A. Establish a daily routine balancing social/physical needs with rest and solitary exploration
B. Keep the puppy active 24/7
C. Avoid playtime
D. Only focus on feeding schedules

A. Establish a daily routine balancing social/physical needs with rest and solitary exploration

Teaching independence in puppies can be achieved by:
A. Never leaving the puppy alone
B. Keeping the puppy in constant physical contact with the owner
C. Allowing unsupervised outdoor play only
D. Encouraging the puppy to rest on a mat away from the owner for gradually increased periods

D. Encouraging the puppy to rest on a mat away from the owner for gradually increased periods

To prevent undesirable behaviors, households should be:
A. Designed to limit all freedom for the puppy
B. Focused only on obedience
C. Left unstructured
D. Organized to promote success and prevent failure, offering acceptable options to both owner and dog

D. Organized to promote success and prevent failure, offering acceptable options to both owner and dog

Mouthing or "mouthiness" in puppies can be redirected by:
A. Providing constructive activities like tug games, retrieving, training for rewards, and interacting with chews and puzzle toys
B. Ignoring the behavior
C. Using punishment
D. Allowing biting freely

A. Providing constructive activities like tug games, retrieving, training for rewards, and interacting with chews and puzzle toys

Positive reinforcement training in puppies:
A. Teaches puppies what to do rather than what not to do, and strengthens trust, confidence, and the human-animal bond
B. Only involves feeding treats
C. Is unnecessary for social development
D. Should focus on punishment for undesired behaviors

A. Teaches puppies what to do rather than what not to do, and strengthens trust, confidence, and the human-animal bond

Dog owners may have difficulty distinguishing trainers because:
A. The dog training industry is unregulated, and some trainers lack evidence-based methods
B. Age of the dog is irrelevant
C. Only breed affects training success
D. All trainers use the same techniques

A. The dog training industry is unregulated, and some trainers lack evidence-based methods

Training should aim to:
A. Establish good communication, life skills, and reinforce good choices, while promoting trust, confidence, and joyful obedience
B. Focus solely on leash walking
C. Avoid teaching basic cues
D. Punish undesirable behaviors primarily

A. Establish good communication, life skills, and reinforce good choices, while promoting trust, confidence, and joyful obedience