Canine Ethology and Communication Flashcards

What does the term 'ethology' specifically refer to in the study of dogs?

Answer: The study of animal behavior in natural contexts

Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, often emphasizing natural settings and evolution.

Modern ethology rejects the strict 'alpha/dominance' wolf-pack model for pet dogs mainly because:

Answer: It was based on captive, unrelated wolves and misapplied to dogs

The rigid dominance model came from artificial captive wolf groups and does not describe normal dog social behavior.

A dog paws at a person repeatedly with a soft body and relaxed face. This most likely communicates:

Answer: A solicitation for attention or interaction

Soft pawing with relaxed body language is usually a request for attention or contact.

Which is the best example of a dog using a 'distance-increasing' signal?

Answer: Growling and showing teeth

Growling and baring teeth are distance-increasing signals asking another to move away.

Why should a growl generally not be punished during training?

Answer: Punishing it can suppress warnings and lead to bites without warning

A growl is valuable communication, and suppressing it removes the warning that precedes a bite.

A dog that consistently shakes its whole body 'as if wet' after a tense greeting is most likely:

Answer: Releasing stress and resetting after arousal

A full-body 'shake-off' often functions to discharge tension and reset after a stressful moment.

In canine communication, what is the function of 'metacommunication' signals like the play bow?

Answer: They clarify how subsequent behaviors should be interpreted

Metacommunication signals tell the other dog how to read the actions that follow, e.g., as play.