dog behaviour

Learning outcomes

Describe and identify common dog behaviors and significance of these behaviors, w/ reference to reproductive behaviors, rearing and socialization
Describe different ways in which dogs may be kept and outline advantages and disadvantages of housing methods and environments

Female sexual behaviour

Wolves	Dogs
Seasonally monoestrous (1 per year)	1-3 times, small > large breed
Puberty - 2 years	5 months - 2 years, small tend to be earlier

May have fighting between bitches in season/ heat

4 stages of estrous cycle (PEDA)

Proestrus	Swollen vulva, blood stained discharge, pheromones, mate seeking, urinating, wander
Estrus	Receptive (open minded) to mating Ovulation 24-72 after start Straw coloured discharge
Diestrus	Vulvar discharge stops, swelling reduces Progesterone, (pseudo) pregnant
Anestrus (4-6 months)	Reproductive inactivity

Male sexual behaviour

Puberty 6-12 months

Cock leg to urinate

Attracted to bitches in heat

Fight for access to mate

Reproductive behavior

During mating

Male sniffs vulva
Not in estrus; retreat and sit down
In estrus; stand to be mated with tail to side
Copulatory tie last 5-20 minutes

Gestation 57-68 days (detected by ultrasound/ x ray)

Pre-parturition

Swollen nipples, vulva
Eats smaller meals more often
Restless
Day prior seek dark and quiet place to build nest
Aggressive to strangers/ disruption

Rearing

Bitch licks anogenital area pups to stimulate defecation, eats feces

Week 1	Bitch leaves nest only briefly, then increase to several hours Pups sleep, myelination and neuromuscular development Puppies double birth weight first 7-10 days
Week 2-3	Pups leave nest to urinate and defecate Eyes and ear canals open (9-14 days)
Week 6-8	weaning

Developmental periods

Neonatal (0-2 weeks)

Rely on mother and littermates, totally dependant
Cannot regulate body temperature
Ears and eyes closed
Limited movement
Perineal stimulation to defecate
Inborn behavior to find teats, warmth
Sleep 90% of time
Neuromuscular and myelination development
Smell learning

Transitional (2-3 weeks)

Rapid changes
Eyes (9-14 days), ears (2 weeks) open
Stand by 15 days
Walk, play, toilet on their own
Urinate and defecate away from nest
Adaptation to the environment

Socialization (3-12 weeks)

Juvenile (3-12 months)

Until sexual maturity
Growth (long bones)
Improvements in motor skills
Curious and energetic

Adult

After puberty
Social maturity (1-3 years)

Senior - 7 to 9 years

Geriatric - above 9 years

Puppy development

Litter hierarchy changeable
Can spot behavior problems
Behavior problems from accidental reinforcement of unwanted behaviour
Must be exposed to wide variety of stimuli during critical development phases
otherwise, abnormal development (social issues of dogs)

Environment and housing

Consider:

Temperature
Ventilation
Space
Hygiene
Toileting
Play, social behavior
Resources
Safe/ secure
Food and water

Transport

Leash
Car (restraint, cannot be loose in car)
Carrier/ crate

Consider

Ventilation
Temperature
Group/ solitary
Duration

Prenatal - stress can have permanent effect on development

Neonatal (0-2 weeks) - birth weight doubles, rapid sensory and locomotory development , smell learning develops, limited movement, eyes and ears closed, cannot regulate body temperature, rely on mother and is totally dependent, myelination and neuromuscular development

Transitional (2-3 weeks) - leaves nest to defecate and urinate, ears and eyes opened, motor skills, auditory and visual learning, adapting to environment, stand by 15 days

Socialisation (3-12 weeks) - energetic, neural development and maturation, less likely to respond with fear, weaning, bark, need to socialise , fear develops

Juvenile (3-12 months) - puberty, growth with long bones, curious and energetic, environmental exploration increases

Social maturation (1-3 years) - formation of stable dominance relationships, defend territory, aggression problems may arise

Senior

Geriatric