CPDT-KA Study Guide: Ethology, Learning
Theory, and Husbandry.
Species Designation (Ans- Canis Lupis Familiaris
What does "Tame" mean?(Ans- (v) to domesticate; (adj) a domesticated animal which is not dangerous or frightened of people;
What is "Domestication"?(Ans- (v) Adapting an animal (or plant) to life in intimate association with and to the advantage of humans; (adj- "domestic") An animal that has undergone extensive behavioral and biological changes resulting from selective breeding over the course of many generations resulting in tameness
What does "Neoteny" mean?(Ans- The retention of immature characteristics in adulthood *Many modern dog breeds retain neotenous characteristics.
What does "Phylogeny" mean?(Ans- The evolutionary history of an organism
What is "Phylogenetic Behavior" (in dogs)?(Ans-
Behaviors common to the dog as a species:
*Food acquisition *Hazard avoidance, safety/comfort seeking *Reproductive behaviors
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What are "Fixed Action Patterns"?(Ans- Innate or phylogenetic behaviors which must be completed before the animal stops;
Examples: urine marking even if the dog has no urine remaining in system
or circling before laying on a blanket
What is "Ontogenetic Behavior"?(Ans- A response to environmental influences. It is learned, has be rewarded, and can be modified. ie. dog running to name after being fed previously when name was called
Tempermant (Ans- Nature v. Nurture; Learned v. Innate.
Instinctive Drift (Ans- The Breland Effect. The prepotency of strong instinctive behavior patterns over those which have been conditioned. Wherever an animal had strong instructive behavior, the organism will drift toward instinctive behavior to the detriment of the conditioned behavior.
Critical Periods (Ans- 3-16 weeks. Socialization window begins to diminish by 16 weeks.
Testosterone (Ans- Influences behaviors such as mounting, mating, searching for females, scent marking, and aggression. If the dog has a history of being reinforced for such behaviors, that behavior now has a conditioned element and doesn't depend on testosterone.
Female Hormones (Ans- Estrogen and progesterone. Estrus twice a year. 20 days duration.Spaying does not reduce aggression levels in females. Instead may increase.
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