Canine Body Language In The Shelter
Have you ever wondered how dogs communicate? Are we even close to understanding them? Dr. Sara Bennett, graduate of Purdue Shelter Veterinary Behavior Residency Program, takes you through an overview of canine body language and interpretation. She discusses welfare implications of different behavior states, as well as how this can affect and be affected by length of stay in a shelter and the animal shelter environment.
- 1.
Dogs, and most animal species, frequently use which "tools" to communicate with their bodies?
- A.
Signals around the head and face (e.g., eyes, teeth, lips, ears, eyebrows)
- B.
Signals with legs and paws
- C.
Signals around the chest and abdomen
- D.
Signals with the tail
- E.
Signals with the hair (e.g., piloerection).
Correct Answer
A. Signals around the head and face (e.g., eyes, teeth, lips, ears, eyebrows) -
- 2.
A dog's aggressive signals are generally in the following progressive order:
- A.
Ritualized appeasement behaviors, conflict behaviors, lift lip, growl, hard stare, freeze, snap, bite and leave.
- B.
Leave, ritualized appeasement behaviors, lift lip, growl, hard stare, freeze, snap, bite and conflict behaviors.
- C.
Leave, ritualized appeasement behaviors, conflict behaviors, lift lip, growl, hard stare, freeze, snap and bite.
- D.
Leave, ritualized appeasement behaviors, conflict behaviors, hard stare, freeze, snap, bite, lift lip and growl.
- E.
Leave, conflict behaviors, lift lip, growl, hard stare, ritualized appeasement behaviors, freeze, snap and bite.
Correct Answer
C. Leave, ritualized appeasement behaviors, conflict behaviors, lift lip, growl, hard stare, freeze, snap and bite. -
- 3.
A dog displaying body language that includes ears back, head low, looking away/whale eye, body weight back or lowered, tail low/maybe tucked and exposing all teeth, is a dog exhibiting which type of aggression?
- A.
Offensive/Confident aggression.
- B.
Defensive/Fearful aggression.
- C.
Ambivalent/Conflict aggression.
- D.
Predatory aggression.
- E.
None of the above.
Correct Answer
B. Defensive/Fearful aggression. -
- 4.
Conflict behavior can range from appeasement to more active behavior. All of the below are examples of conflict behavior, except:
- A.
Play bow.
- B.
Roll over.
- C.
Sneeze.
- D.
Yawn.
- E.
Tail wagging.
Correct Answer
E. Tail wagging. -
- 5.
Many common behavior problems in dogs (e.g., aggression, fearfulness, destructiveness, inappropriate elimination, excessive vocalization) are associated with anxiety, not with dominance.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True -
- 6.
Why is it better to control an animal's behavior through training versus confrontational handling?
- A.
Undesirable behaviors usually stem from a state of "worry" and are therefore less likely to respond to punishment and/or rough handling.
- B.
Calmer animals are easier to handle.
- C.
Animals process information via senses, not words.
- D.
It is more efficient to prevent the animal from becoming fearful from the beginning.
- E.
All of the above.
Correct Answer
E. All of the above. -
- 7.
Which of the following is a major indicator that a dog is fearful/anxious?
- A.
Ears twitching
- B.
Head high
- C.
Won't take treats/eat
- D.
Body weight forward
- E.
Tail up and curled
Correct Answer
C. Won't take treats/eat -
- 8.
We hope you enjoyed the presentation. A certificate of attendance will be awarded in your name at the end of this quiz. Please let us know if you have viewed this entire presentation.
- A.
I certify that I have viewed the entire presentation.
- B.
I did not view the entire presentation.
Correct Answer
A. I certify that I have viewed the entire presentation. -
- 9.
The motivation of agonistic aggression is to increase distance between the dog and the subject of the aggression.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True -
- 10.
A dog displaying offensive/confident aggression will show the following body language:
- A.
Ears back, head high, eyes directed at target, body weight forward, tail up and showing of only incisors and canine teeth.
- B.
Ears forward, head low, eyes directed at target, body weight forward, tail up and showing of only incisors and canine teeth.
- C.
Ears forward, head high, eyes looking away, body weight forward, tail up and showing of only incisors and canine teeth.
- D.
Ears forward, head high, eyes directed at target, body weight forward, tail up and showing of only incisors and canine teeth.
- E.
Ears forward, head high, eyes directed at target, body weight forward, tail up and showing all teeth.
Correct Answer
D. Ears forward, head high, eyes directed at target, body weight forward, tail up and showing of only incisors and canine teeth. -
- 11.
What areas should be addressed to reduce stress in the shelter?
- A.
The environment
- B.
Social interactions
- C.
Exercise
- D.
All of the above
- E.
Both A and C
Correct Answer
D. All of the above -
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Mar 22, 2022Quiz Edited by
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