Research

23 pages, 10705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two Separate Brain Networks for Predicting Trainability and Tracking Training-Related Plasticity in Working Dogs

by Gopikrishna Deshpande, Sinan Zhao, Paul Waggoner, Ronald Beyers, Edward Morrison, Nguyen Huynh, Vitaly Vodyanoy, Thomas S. Denney, Jr. and Jeffrey S. Katz

Animals 2024, 14(7), 1082; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071082 - 02 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1217

Abstract

Functional brain connectivity based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been shown to be correlated with human personality and behavior. In this study, we sought to know whether capabilities and traits in dogs can be predicted from their resting-state connectivity, as [...] Read more.

Functional brain connectivity based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been shown to be correlated with human personality and behavior. In this study, we sought to know whether capabilities and traits in dogs can be predicted from their resting-state connectivity, as in humans. We trained awake dogs to keep their head still inside a 3T MRI scanner while resting-state fMRI data was acquired. Canine behavior was characterized by an integrated behavioral score capturing their hunting, retrieving, and environmental soundness. Functional scans and behavioral measures were acquired at three different time points across detector dog training. The first time point (TP1) was prior to the dogs entering formal working detector dog training. The second time point (TP2) was soon after formal detector dog training. The third time point (TP3) was three months’ post detector dog training while the dogs were engaged in a program of maintenance training for detection work. We hypothesized that the correlation between resting-state FC in the dog brain and behavior measures would significantly change during their detection training process (from TP1 to TP2) and would maintain for the subsequent several months of detection work (from TP2 to TP3). To further study the resting-state FC features that can predict the success of training, dogs at TP1 were divided into a successful group and a non-successful group. We observed a core brain network which showed relatively stable (with respect to time) patterns of interaction that were significantly stronger in successful detector dogs compared to failures and whose connectivity strength at the first time point predicted whether a given dog was eventually successful in becoming a detector dog. A second ontologically based flexible peripheral network was observed whose changes in connectivity strength with detection training tracked corresponding changes in behavior over the training program. Comparing dog and human brains, the functional connectivity between the brain stem and the frontal cortex in dogs corresponded to that between the locus coeruleus and left middle frontal gyrus in humans, suggestive of a shared mechanism for learning and retrieval of odors. Overall, the findings point toward the influence of phylogeny and ontogeny in dogs producing two dissociable functional neural networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine Cognition and Communication: Current Findings in Scientific and Applied Settings)

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17 pages, 3155 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Role of Life History and Familiarity in Performance of Working and Non-Working Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in a Point-Following Task

by Josephine M. McCartney and David A. Leavens

Animals 2024, 14(4), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040573 - 08 Feb 2024

Viewed by 757

Abstract

Domestic dogs are very successful at following human communicative gestures in paradigms such as the object-choice task. Pet dogs also prefer responding to cues given by a familiar cue-giver and this had not been found in working dogs. Therefore, we tested three groups [...] Read more.

Domestic dogs are very successful at following human communicative gestures in paradigms such as the object-choice task. Pet dogs also prefer responding to cues given by a familiar cue-giver and this had not been found in working dogs. Therefore, we tested three groups of dogs in the object-choice task (n = 54): the groups were “Actively working” dogs from working dog breeds, pet dogs from “Non-working breeds” and pet dogs from “Working breeds”. We found that “Actively working” and “Working breeds” dog groups outperformed “Non-working breeds” in following a point in the object-choice task. We also found that both “Actively working” and “Working breeds” preferred a familiar cue-giver over an unfamiliar one, in contrast to previous findings. Therefore, we conclude that dogs’ abilities to perform well in the object-choice task is influenced by the selective history of the breed, and this is then increased by life experience and training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine Cognition and Communication: Current Findings in Scientific and Applied Settings)

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19 pages, 2184 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Dog Soundscape: Recurrence, Emotional Impact, Acoustics, and Implications for Dog Observations and Dog–Human Interactions

by Sophie Savel and Thierry Legou

Animals 2024, 14(2), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020279 - 16 Jan 2024

Viewed by 2405

Abstract

While numerous dog behavioral studies use environmental sounds, the dog soundscape remains undescribed. We proposed a list of 79 sounds classified into six categories: Dog, Dog accessories, Human, city and vehicles, Garden, countryside and weather, and Household. In a survey, 620 dog owners [...] Read more.

While numerous dog behavioral studies use environmental sounds, the dog soundscape remains undescribed. We proposed a list of 79 sounds classified into six categories: Dog, Dog accessories, Human, city and vehicles, Garden, countryside and weather, and Household. In a survey, 620 dog owners scored the frequency of their dog’s exposure to, and thus, the recurrence of, each of the 79 sounds, from never to daily. The survey results also extended to about 25 sounds the number of acknowledged sounds that are likely to elicit stress or fear, that is, negative emotional sensitivity, in dogs. Sound recurrence and emotional sensitivity were not correlated, showing no beneficial effect of frequent exposure to, and no deleterious effect of scarcity of, sound events. We suggest that for the sake of dog welfare, researchers, veterinarians, trainers, and owners may limit dogs’ exposure to the sensitive sounds identified in the study during their dog observations and dog–human interactions. A corpus of 84 sounds was collected. The sounds were spectrally analyzed by determining their F0 and 10 dB bandwidth parameters. At the lowest sound frequencies, where canine hearing is poorest, negative emotional sensitivity was generally low. At the middle and high sound center frequencies/F0s, sensitivity greatly varied from lowest to highest, which is incompatible with both the general assumption and dog auditory detection thresholds. How emotional sensitivity relates to F0 (pitch) and hearing sensitivity remains undetermined. Finally, we suggest that future behavioral audiometric studies of dogs may maximize the spectral spread of each sound while minimizing the spectral overlap between sounds so as to reduce both the testing duration and the risk of inadvertently targeting or, conversely, missing frequency-dependent hearing impairments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine Cognition and Communication: Current Findings in Scientific and Applied Settings)

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11 pages, 288 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Supplementation of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Concentrated Fish Oil Enhances Cognitive Function in Puppies

by Roberta Bueno Ayres Rodrigues, Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, Mariana Fragoso Rentas, Larissa Wünsche Risolia, Henrique Tobaro Macedo, Mariana Pamplona Perini, Amanda Maria Gomes da Silva, Pedro Henrique Marchi, Júlio César de Carvalho Balieiro, Wandréa Souza Mendes, Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini and Marcio Antonio Brunetto

Animals 2023, 13(18), 2938; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182938 - 16 Sep 2023

Viewed by 2748

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has an important role in brain development and functionality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of DHA-concentrated fish oil on the cognitive function of puppies. Twelve 3-month-old puppies were included, blocked by breed and randomly distributed into two [...] Read more.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has an important role in brain development and functionality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of DHA-concentrated fish oil on the cognitive function of puppies. Twelve 3-month-old puppies were included, blocked by breed and randomly distributed into two groups: the Control Group (CG), without supplementation, and the Experimental Group (EG), supplemented with 40 mg DHA/kg BW/day. The object discrimination test was used, with a normal stage (NS) and a reverse stage (RS), and blood samples were collected to evaluate the serum polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentration and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) before (T0) and 30 (T1), 60 (T2) and 90 (T3) days after beginning the study. For the NS, there were effects of treatment (p = 0.0039) and time (p < 0.0001), in which the correct answer frequency in the EG was higher than the CG. The serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + HA concentrations at T1, T2 and T3 were higher than at T0 for the EG (p = 0.0159), in addition, EG showed higher serum EPA + DHA concentrations than CG at T2 (p = 0.0245). The TAC values were similar between the groups (p = 0.3211). It was concluded that the cognitive function of puppies can be enhanced with DHA-concentrated fish oil supplementation without increasing the serum lipid oxidation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine Cognition and Communication: Current Findings in Scientific and Applied Settings)

23 pages, 1595 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Power of Discourse: Associations between Trainers’ Speech and the Responses of Socialized Wolves and Dogs to Training

by Melissa Gabriela Bravo Fonseca, Heron Oliveira Hilário, Kurt Kotrschal, Friederike Range, Zsófia Virányi, Marina Henriques Lage Duarte, Laryssa Cristina Gomes Pereira and Angélica da Silva Vasconcellos

Animals 2023, 13(6), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13061071 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4916

Abstract

In a previous study, we found that Positive Reinforcement Training reduced cortisol of wolves and dogs; however, this effect varied across trainer–animal dyads. Here we investigate whether and how the trainers’ use of speech may contribute to this effect. Dogs’ great interest in [...] Read more.

In a previous study, we found that Positive Reinforcement Training reduced cortisol of wolves and dogs; however, this effect varied across trainer–animal dyads. Here we investigate whether and how the trainers’ use of speech may contribute to this effect. Dogs’ great interest in high-pitched, intense speech (also known as Dog Directed Speech) has already been reported, but whether and how wolves respond similarly/differently to voice characteristics has never been studied before. We analyzed 270 training sessions, conducted by five trainers, with nine mixed-breed dogs and nine wolves, all human-socialized. Through Generalized Linear Mixed Models, we analyzed the effects of (a) three speech categories (nice, neutral, reprehensive) and laugh; and (b) acoustic characteristics of trainers’ voices on animals’ responses (correct responses, latency, orientation, time at less than 1 m, non-training behaviors, tail position/movements, cortisol variation). In both subspecies, tail wagging occurred more often in sessions with longer durations of nice speech, and less often in sessions with reprehensive speech. For dogs, the duration of reprehensive speech within a session was also negatively related to correct responses. For wolves, retreat time was associated with more reprehensive speech, whereas duration of nice speech was positively associated with time spent within one meter from the trainer. In addition, most dog behavioral responses were associated with higher average intonations within sessions, while wolf responses were correlated with lower intonations within sessions. We did not find any effects of the variables considered on cortisol variation. Our study highlights the relevance of voice tone and speech in a training context on animals’ performances and emotional reactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine Cognition and Communication: Current Findings in Scientific and Applied Settings)

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15 pages, 1177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Executive Functions as Measured by the Dog Executive Function Scale (DEFS) over the Lifespan of Dogs

by Maike Foraita, Tiffani Howell and Pauleen Bennett

Animals 2023, 13(3), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030533 - 02 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2846

Abstract

Executive Functions (EFs) are needed for effortful self-regulation of behaviour and are known to change over the lifespan in humans. In domestic dogs, EFs can be assessed through behavioural rating scales, such as the Dog Executive Function Scale (DEFS). The primary aim of [...] Read more.

Executive Functions (EFs) are needed for effortful self-regulation of behaviour and are known to change over the lifespan in humans. In domestic dogs, EFs can be assessed through behavioural rating scales, such as the Dog Executive Function Scale (DEFS). The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether the DEFS, developed initially using a sample of adult dogs, can be used in juvenile (<1 year) and senior (>8 years) dogs. Confirmatory factor analysis of a juvenile and senior dog sample led to good model fit indices, indicating that juvenile and senior dogs’ EF structure follows the same functional organisation as found in the DEFS. The secondary aim was to analyse the lifespan development of EFs. Analysis of subscale scores revealed multifaceted relationships with age for four subscales. Working Memory and Attention Towards Owner showed the u-shaped curve traditionally associated with the lifespan development of EFs. Forms of inhibition showed complex associations with age, i.e., Delay Inhibition declined in aging and Motor Regulation increased during aging. Training history and Working Status influenced performance independent of age. More highly trained dogs and working dogs exhibited higher EF skills. Training history appeared more important for EF in non-working dogs than working dogs, perhaps because all working dogs receive a high level of training. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine Cognition and Communication: Current Findings in Scientific and Applied Settings)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

31 pages, 492 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Science and Social Validity of Companion Animal Welfare: Functionally Defined Parameters in a Multidisciplinary Field

by Lauren I. Novack, Lauren Schnell-Peskin, Erica Feuerbacher and Eduardo J. Fernandez

Animals 2023, 13(11), 1850; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111850 - 01 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4802

Abstract

Social validity refers to the social significance and acceptability of intervention goals, procedures, and outcomes. Animal practitioners, who are often guided by the principles of ABA, lack the benefit of verbal participants (at least with respect to target animals) with which to assess [...] Read more.

Social validity refers to the social significance and acceptability of intervention goals, procedures, and outcomes. Animal practitioners, who are often guided by the principles of ABA, lack the benefit of verbal participants (at least with respect to target animals) with which to assess a client’s needs and preferences. The study of a learner’s welfare is useful for determining areas where intervention is needed or how the learner feels about an intervention that is underway. Three tenets of animal welfare measurement include physiological function, naturalistic behavior, and affect, where affect refers to private events, including emotions, which are a function of the same variables and contingencies responsible for controlling public behavior. The development of new technologies allows us to look “under the skin” and account for subjective experiences that can now be observed objectively. We introduce the reader to tools available from the animal welfare sciences for the objective measurement of social validity from the learner’s perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine Cognition and Communication: Current Findings in Scientific and Applied Settings)

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

17 pages, 1978 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Social Reward Behaviour in Two Groups of European Grey Wolves (Canis lupus lupus)—A Case Study

by Hana Tebelmann and Udo Gansloßer

Animals 2023, 13(5), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050872 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2920

Abstract

Prosociality occurs in many species and is likely to be a crucial factor for the survival of group-living animals. Social feedback is an important mechanism for the coordination of group decisions. Since group-living animals with specific personality axes, i.e., boldness, are known to [...] Read more.

Prosociality occurs in many species and is likely to be a crucial factor for the survival of group-living animals. Social feedback is an important mechanism for the coordination of group decisions. Since group-living animals with specific personality axes, i.e., boldness, are known to provide certain benefits for their group, bold actions might receive more prosocial feedback than other actions. Our case study aims to determine whether bold behaviour, i.e., novel object interaction (Nobj), might be answered more frequently with prosocial behaviours. We investigated the differences in the frequency of occurrence in prosocial behaviours after three different individual actions in two groups of grey wolves. We aim to outline the development of a social reward behavioural category as part of social feedback mechanisms. We used Markov chain models for probability analyses, and a non-parametric ANOVA to test for differences between the influences of individual behaviours on the probability of a prosocial behaviour chain. We additionally tested for the potential influences of age, sex and personality on the frequency of Nobj. Our results suggest that bold interactions are more often responded to with prosocial behaviour. Bold behaviour might be more often socially rewarded because of its benefits for group-living animals. More research is needed to investigate whether bold behaviour is more frequently responded to prosocially, and to investigate the social reward phenomenon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canine Cognition and Communication: Current Findings in Scientific and Applied Settings)

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