This book highlights the state of the field in the new, provocative line of research into the cognition and behavior of the domestic dog. Eleven chapters from leading researchers describe innovative methods from comparative psychology, ethology and behavioral biology, which are combined to create a more comprehensive picture of the behavior of Canis familiaris than ever before. Each of the book’s three parts highlights one of the perspectives relevant to providing a full understanding of the dog. Part I covers the perceptual abilities of dogs and the effect of interbreeding. Part II includes observational and experimental results from studies of social cognition – such as learning and social referencing – and physical cognition in canids, while Part III summarizes the work in the field to date, reviewing various conceptual and methodological approaches and testing anthropomorphisms with regard to dogs. The final chapter discusses the practical application of behavioral and cognitive results to promote animal welfare. This volume reflects a modern shift in science toward considering and studying domestic dogs for their own sake, not only insofar as they reflect back on human beings.

A comprehensive update to the first monograph on dog behaviour, evolution and cognition.

Second edition of a classic text on canine science and behavior, incorporating two decades of new evidence and discoveries.

How can you be sure that your dog is happy? What can owners do to ensure their dog has the best chance at a long happy life? Experts in animal behaviour, Emma Grigg and Tammy Donaldson set out to explore our current understanding of canine wellbeing in this engaging and authoritative guide to dog training. Making use of the latest in animal behaviour research and studies, The Science Behind a Happy Dog covers both scientific approaches to dog raising and practical solutions to common behavioural problems in a clear and accessible style. The science behind canine cognition and body language are discussed to reveal how we can use the clues that our dogs give us to maximise their wellbeing. This enlightening guide addresses all aspects of a dog’s life, including nutrition, socialisation, exercise, reducing stress when visiting the vet and canine mental health. The Science Behind a Happy Dog is the ultimate training book aimed at teaching owners how to raise a well-behaved, well-adjusted and happy dog. 5m Books

Dogs are a valued part of millions of households worldwide. They also serve many functions in human societies from herding livestock to detecting drugs, explosives, or illegal wildlife to providing physical assistance or emotional support to those in need. Yet, in terms of behavior and cognition, dogs have only become a serious subject of scientific study in the last 20 years. Similarly, we have recently witnessed a sharp increase in studies of canine-human interaction, exploring the motivational, emotional, cognitive, physiological, and neural mechanisms of dogs on human psychology and well-being. This book is a collection of chapters stemming from the Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, which focused on Canine Cognition and the Human Bond. The primary goal of this symposium was to bring together researchers from psychology, biology, neuroscience, and anthropology to delve deeper into the canine-human bond. These chapters describe the current state of knowledge from international experts in the fields of canine cognition and canine-human interaction. Bridging these two areas can help us better understand the canine-human bond, potentially improving the lives of both dogs and people.

Two experts, drawing on decades of research and field experiments, unlock the origins of many of our dogs most common, most puzzling and most endearing behaviors, and explore such canine mysteries as why dogs play, why they bark, how they feed and forage, why they guard and herd and much more.

Dogs, Canis familiaris, share the lives of humans all over the world. That dogs, and the behavior of dogs, are of interest to many is therefore no surprise. In this thesis, the main aim has been to identify factors that affect dogs’ behaviours. The dog, Canis familiaris, is our first domesticated animal. Since domestication, various types of dogs have developed through adaptation to an environment shared with humans and through our selective breeding, resulting in a unique variation in morphology and behaviour. Although there is an individual variation in the behaviour of dogs, there is also a difference between breeds. Moreover, selection during the last decades has split some breeds into divergent types. Labrador and golden retrievers are divided into a common type, for show and companionship, and a field type, for hunting. By comparing the breed types, we can study the effects of recent selection. In Paper I, we investigate differences in general behavioural traits between Labrador and golden retriever and between common and field type within the two breeds by using results from the standardized behaviour test Dog Mentality Assessment. There were differences between breeds and types for all behavioural traits. However, there was also an interaction between breed and type. Thus, a common/field-type Labrador does not behave like a common/field-type golden retriever. Even though they have been selected for similar traits, the selection has affected the general behavioural traits differently in the two breeds. In paper II, we were interested in dogs’ human-directed social skills. Dogs have a high social competence when it comes to humans. Two experiments commonly used to study these skills are the problem-solving test, where dogs’ human-directed behaviours when faced with a problem are measured, and the pointing test, where dogs are tested on how well they understand human gestures. We compared the social skills of German shepherds and Labrador retrievers, and of common- and field-type Labradors. Labradors were more successful in the pointing test and German shepherds stayed closer to their owners during the problem solving. Among Labrador types, the field type had more human eye contact than the common type. Importantly, when comparing the two experiments, we found no positive correlations between the problem-solving test and the pointing test, suggesting that the two tests measure different aspects of human-directed social behaviour in dogs. A previous study has identified two suggestive genetic regions for human-directed social behaviours during the problem-solving test in beagles. In paper III, we show that these SNPs are also associated to social behaviours in Labrador and golden retrievers. Moreover, the Labrador breed types differed significantly in allele frequencies. This indicates that the two SNPs have been affected by recent selection and may have a part in the differences in sociability between common and field type. The behaviour of dogs cannot simply be explained by genetics, there is also an environmental component. In paper IV, we study which factors that affect long-term stress in dogs. Long-term cortisol can be measured by hair samples. We found a clear synchronization in hair cortisol concentrations between dogs and their owners. Neither dogs’ activity levels nor their behavioural traits affected the cortisol, however, the personality of the owners did. Therefore, we suggest that dogs mirror the stress level of their owners. The mediator between genes and the environment is epigenetics, and one epigenetic factor is DNA methylation. In paper V, we compared methylation patterns of wolves and dogs as well as dog breeds. Between both wolves and dogs and among dogs there were substantial differences in methylated DNA regions, suggesting that DNA methylation is likely to contribute to the vast variation among canines. We hypothesize that epigenetic factors have been important during domestication and in breed formation. In this thesis, I cover several aspects on how dogs’ behaviours can be affected, and paint an intricate picture on how genetics, epigenetics, and human-dog relations forms dog behaviour.

Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff presents and evaluates the available research and programs that address both animal and human behaviors associated with the intake, management and rehoming of dog and cats. Introductions to dog and cat behavior relevant to any animal professional Reviews behavioral reasons for the relinquishment of dogs and cats Describes intake and assessment protocol, shelter design, training and enrichment programs that reduce stress and enhance behavioral well-being Concepts to improve the adoption process and support the human-animal bond post-adoption

A comprehensive resource to understand the behavioral considerations for intake, management, and rehoming of dogs and cats Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff provides readers with comprehensive information addressing the behavior of both animals and humans associated with the intake, management, and rehoming of dogs and cats. To aid in practical application, the book covers specific behavior considerations in both dogs and cats. Topics are separated by animal to allow for easy accessibility by professionals who are actively working in the field. Sample topics covered within the book include: The behavior issues that are a common cause of pet relinquishment Behavioral assessment, behavior modification, the integration of behavioral well-being into sheltering Welfare assessment, psychopharmacology, safety net programs, and caring for animals during long-term legal holds Equine care and caring for small mammals Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff is a must-have reference for evidence-based practical tips, techniques, and protocols for everyday use in animal shelters by shelter volunteers and staff, as well as professional trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians working with shelters.

The Dog In-depth coverage of canine domestication, breeding, behavior and cognition, training, health care, and nutrition Now in its third edition, The Dog remains a definitive textbook regarding dogs and their care; written in clear, accessible language, the text provides updated and expanded coverage of selective breeding, training principles, solutions to common behavior problems, diet and nutrition, and preventive health care. New sections in this edition include information about dog breeds and selective breeding practices, genetic testing programs, canine social cognition and communication, manners training and common behavior problems, popular dog sports, and new information regarding health care and disease prevention. Enhanced with distinctive figures and tables, the text provides current references, suggested readings, updated tables and references, and a thorough glossary to aid in comprehension. In The Dog, readers can expect to find detailed information about: Canine behavior, reward-based approaches to training, health care and disease prevention, new information about pet foods and nutrition, and a review of research regarding the unique social cognition of the domestic dog Breed specific diseases and their genetic testing, canine infectious viruses and atopic disease, and new vaccines and vaccination schedules Interspecies communications between dogs and humans, prevention and management of common behavior problems in dogs, and pet food selection and recommended feeding practices More detailed and comprehensive than many other dog books, The Dog is an indispensable tool for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, trainers, behaviorists, breeders, animal shelter and rescue group staff, and dog owners. Academically, The Dog is a useful textbook for second- or third-year students who have completed at least one college-level biology course.