Faculty Advisor

Dr Cynthia Norton

Department

Biology

Abstract

Humans have had a historical impact on the evolution of the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) from the domestication of the first dog about 14,000 years ago (Clutton-Brock 1995). One result of this domestication process, that seems to be unique to dogs, is that dogs are able to discern information about the location of objects, at an above chance level, based on gestures such as pointing and determine human attentional states (Braüer et al 2006; Call et al 2003; Udell et al 2008). While dogs are attuned to human gestures and cues, humans may not be as attuned to dog social behaviors (Walsh et al 2011). They concluded that some possible reasons for breaking up interactions could be due to a lack of knowledge about dog behavior, interpreting dog behaviors incorrectly, or deterring dogs from interrupting human social interactions.

This investigation looks at how human presence affects social interactions between dogs. We hypothesize that: 1) When humans are present, dog social interactions will be altered either because of human physical interference or because the dog picks up on human cues or gestures, and 2) When humans are not present dog social behavior will closely mimic the social behavior of other Canidae (e.g. wolves and wild dogs).

Funding source, if applicable

3M Grant

Start Date

19-4-2012 11:00 AM

End Date

19-4-2012 1:00 PM

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Apr 19th, 11:00 AM Apr 19th, 1:00 PM

The effect of human presence on social interations between domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiars)

Humans have had a historical impact on the evolution of the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) from the domestication of the first dog about 14,000 years ago (Clutton-Brock 1995). One result of this domestication process, that seems to be unique to dogs, is that dogs are able to discern information about the location of objects, at an above chance level, based on gestures such as pointing and determine human attentional states (Braüer et al 2006; Call et al 2003; Udell et al 2008). While dogs are attuned to human gestures and cues, humans may not be as attuned to dog social behaviors (Walsh et al 2011). They concluded that some possible reasons for breaking up interactions could be due to a lack of knowledge about dog behavior, interpreting dog behaviors incorrectly, or deterring dogs from interrupting human social interactions.

This investigation looks at how human presence affects social interactions between dogs. We hypothesize that: 1) When humans are present, dog social interactions will be altered either because of human physical interference or because the dog picks up on human cues or gestures, and 2) When humans are not present dog social behavior will closely mimic the social behavior of other Canidae (e.g. wolves and wild dogs).