New study on the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior in puppies

[pstinard]

A new study was just published on breed-dependent differences in the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior in puppies. The study includes Yorkies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and German Shepherds. The study is behind a paywall (of course ), but those lucky enough to be able to access it will be treated to two videos of a Yorkie puppy responding to a scary mechanical toy duck. The authors hope that the results of the study will help lead to an understanding of how to prevent fear-related behavioral problems from developing in adult dogs. Here is the link to the study: Breed-Dependent Differences in the Onset of Fear-Related Avoidance Behavior in Puppies

Here are some excerpts from the study:

Breed-Dependent Differences in the Onset of Fear-Related Avoidance Behavior in Puppies

Highlights

•Puppies of three breeds were tested for active avoidance of perceived hazards and for cortisol reactivity using novel stimuli from four to nine weeks of age

•The onset of fear-related avoidance behavior, as well as other indicators of fearfulness differed by breed

•Cortisol decreased with age in puppies, and a greater cortisol response occurred in puppies that exhibited fear-related avoidance behavior than in those that did not

•Prediction of developmental responses to fear-inducing stimuli may increase the potential for preventing fear-related behavioral problems

Abstract

The onset of fear-related avoidance behavior occurs during and, to some extent, defines the sensitive period of development in the domestic dog. The objectives of this study were to identify the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior and examine breed differences in this behavioral development. Ninety-eight purebred puppies representing three breeds were tested: Cavalier King Charles spaniels (n=33), Yorkshire terriers (n=32), and German shepherd dogs (n=33). Data were collected weekly beginning 4-5 weeks after birth until 10 weeks of age. Puppies took part in four tests during each visit: a novel item, seesaw, step, and loud noise test. During each test, the presence or absence of fear-related avoidance behavior and crouched posture were noted. Saliva was also collected to measure salivary cortisol concentrations in the puppies before and after testing. A later onset of fear-related avoidance behavior was observed in Cavalier King Charles spaniels compared to German shepherd dog and Yorkshire terrier puppies (F=11.78, N=29, P < 0.001). The proportion of treatment puppies that exhibited fear in response to the testing was also different (Chi-Square=9.81, N=56, P=0.007): Yorkshire terriers (N=14, 78%), Cavalier King Charles spaniel (N=10, 53%), and German shepherd dogs (N=5, 26%). Cortisol concentrations decreased with age. Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppies that demonstrated fear-related avoidance behavior exhibited a greater (t=2.133, N=79, P=0.036) cortisol response than puppies that did not exhibit the behavior(. Breed differences in the crouch response to the loud noise test, regardless of age, were observed (F=18.26, N=98, P<0.001). Cavalier King Charles spaniels demonstrated the highest incidence of crouching followed by the Yorkshire Terriers. Breed differences in puppy mobility were observed beginning at 6 weeks of age, with German shepherd dogs demonstrating the most mobility and Cavalier King Charles spaniels the least. The results of this study support the hypothesis that emotional and behavioral development, as well as the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior, varies among breeds of domestic dogs.

Introduction

Fear and anxiety are emotional states induced by the perception of danger and threat to an individual’s well-being (Boissy, 1995). Fearfulness is a very important emotional characteristic that predisposes an individual to perceive and react in a similar manner to a wide range of potentially dangerous events. Signs of fear in the domestic dog include physiologic responses, such as increased heart rate, hypersalivation, and elimination, and behavioral responses, such as escape, avoidance or defensiveness (Sherman and Mills, 2008). Many common canine behavioral problems, including stimulus specific fears and phobias, fear-related aggression toward humans and other animals, and some urination may be based in fearfulness (Sherman and Mills, 2008; Blackwell et al., 2013). The development of fear-related behavioral patterns in the domestic dog may be influenced by genetics, physiology, sensory perception, environmental exposure and experience (Overall, 2013).

Developmental changes in a dog’s behavior and physiology begin at birth and extend throughout the dog’s life with most change occurring before sexual and social maturity. Several broad time periods, including the “neonatal period”, “transition period” and “critical period” (sometimes alternatively described as the sensitive period) in domestic canine development have been described (Scott and Fuller, 1965; Overall, 2013). During the “critical period”, which lasts from approximately three weeks through 12-14 weeks, pups will approach handlers and, if exposed to humans and other novel social and environmental interactions, will become socialized to new experiences (Coppinger & Coppinger, 2001; Freedman, King &Elliot, 1961; Scott and Fuller, 1965). The first expression of an adult-like fear response motor pattern begins during this time as well. Several factors likely play a role in its onset, including the neurophysiological capability to feel fear sufficiently to prompt an active response by the individual puppy, as well as the neuromuscular coordination to be able to carry out this response.

[..]

The objective of this study was to identify, compare, and contrast the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior and concurrent concentrations of salivary cortisol among three specific breeds of purebred puppies between four and 10 weeks of age. Additionally, breed differences in development and mobility were identified. By studying canine development and onset of fear-related avoidance behavior, dog owners, breeders, veterinarians and other professionals gain a more reliable understanding of fear-related development and predictable breed differences. This knowledge could be further applied to improving welfare and standards of rearing, training, socialization, and behavioral modification techniques in domestic dogs of various breeds that are raised as pets and as working dogs. In addition, a broader understanding of the development of the fear response could lead to the prevention of fear-related behavioral problems, by increasing the potential for, and understanding of, appropriately timed exposure and socialization techniques for puppies in the sensitive periods of their development.

[..]

Discussion

The results of this study support the hypothesis that the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior in domestic dogs varies by breed. Significant breed differences were observed in both the age at onset of fear-related avoidance behavior and the proportion of puppies that demonstrated this behavior. In addition, behavioral responses to the tests and changes in mobility during early puppy development differed among breeds.

These results are in agreement with previous research by Coppinger, who demonstrated a defined and predictable age of onset of fear in working German shepherd dogs to be about 35 days of age. The results from this study are similar, with a least squared means estimate for the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior in the German shepherd dog of 39.4 + 6.5 days in those dogs that exhibited the behavior. Additionally, a mean onset age of fear-related avoidance behavior was identified in two other breeds of dogs, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel (55.1 + 3.1 days SEM) and the Yorkshire terrier (42.2 + 2.5 days SEM). The Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppies demonstrated a significantly later onset of fear-related avoidance behavior compared with both the Yorkshire terrier and German shepherd dog puppies. This delayed onset of fear-related avoidance behavior may be related to a slower developmental rate of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, which is also reflected in the results of the development of mobility among breeds and ages. In a study by Goodwin and colleagues (1997), the Cavalier King Charles spaniel ranked least similar to the wolf in physical characteristics, and showed the fewest number of wolf-like agonistic visual signals. This indicates a physical and behavioral paedomorphosis, or underdevelopment, compared to other breeds, such as the German shepherd dog, which ranked close in appearance and agonistic signaling to the wolf. The results of the current study also indicate that behavioral development proceeds at a slower rate than in some other breeds. In fact, due to lack of responses to any stimuli in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies at four weeks of age, we did not begin testing the majority of Cavalier puppies until five weeks of age.

[..]

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that there are significant differences among the three breeds studied in the onset and expression of fear-related avoidance behavior. There were also statistically significant breed differences in development of mobility related to age and incidence of crouching in response to a sudden noise. An expanded and more reliable understanding of breed-specific development has applications in the breeding, rearing, training, socialization and behavioral modification of domestic dogs. Understanding developmental behavioral responses to fear-inducing stimuli may help to prevent fear-related behavioral problems and the high costs and diminished welfare that accompany them.

[dottiesyrky]

Thank you for posting this. A very interesting and enlightening topic.
The 12 week rule with mom and socialization seems even more relevant for behavioral health.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

Thank you for posting this. A very interesting and enlightening topic.
The 12 week rule with mom and socialization seems even more relevant for behavioral health.

Exactly! I'm thankful to the three Yorkshire terrier breeders in Ohio who allowed their puppies to participate in this study. (Seven litters of Cavalier King Charles spaniels (5 breeder locations), nine litters of Yorkshire terriers (3 breeder locations), and five litters of German shepherd dogs (3 breeder locations) were tested in the homes of volunteer cooperating dog breeders throughout the state of Ohio in the United States.)

[dottiesyrky]

I guess they were only 'good' breeders and not BYBs or Puppy Mills.
Or they would be gone from the study by 8 weeks.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

I guess they were only 'good' breeders and not BYBs or Puppy Mills.
Or they would be gone from the study by 8 weeks.

I'm sure they were good breeders. Otherwise, they would have been sweating bullets with a group of university researchers looking over their shoulders at their puppies' behavior and development. Here are the direct links to the videos of the Yorkie puppies reacting to the mechanical toy duck. Let me know if you can view them!

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...78aba/mmc1.mp4

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...f6d71/mmc2.mp4

[dottiesyrky]

LOL! The mind boggles at that situation!
Thanks for the two videos. This first was such a brave little thing, did not turn a hair, amazing! The other poor baby sure was scared. Do we know what the difference in upbringing was? If it was in the text, sorry, I will reread.

[OwnedByJezebel]

Interesting, thanks for posting! (FYI I was able to view the videos).

[OwnedByJezebel]

Originally Posted by OwnedByJezebel

Interesting, thanks for posting! (FYI I was able to view the videos).

My guess is that it is the same puppy. It's just that in the earlier video it had not developed the fear response yet, in the latter it had, thereby making it possible to pinpoint how old it was when the onset of fear-related behavior occurred.

[gemy]

Thanks Phil. I wanted to tease out if there was a gap in time that the fear response was minimized as much of late has been bruted around about the fear response happening mostly when large breed pups are placed in homes
8wks old timeframe.


It seems recent studies we have read here and elsewhere indicate the prime initial and very important socialization and exposure to foreign stimuli times happen prior to 14wks old. This is when the pup brain is most elastic.










I just want to emphasize this does not mean that if you get your puppy later that it won't bond with you or will bond less, and that you as the new owner do not need to continue the socialization and stimulation of this baby.

[Yorkiemom1]

Thank you for posting this study....and yet there will be people that claim the opinions of some BYB's is much more authentic than this research that was an actual "scientific professional" university study! There are many studies done on the topic and benefits of keeping puppies until at least 10-12 weeks of age.....BYBr's could care less about reading legitimate, validated research, which is usually behind a paywall that justifies these benefits....easier to throw out opinions and conjectures based on nothing actually legitimate! Great post...thanks for getting to actual research and posting it for those that think there have really not been any "real" studies done by "real, legitimate researchers" on these topics!!

[gemy]

Yet again another study that points out that there are very valid breed differences in growth and development and that a ONE SIZE fits all Approach is getting to be quite passe'

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by OwnedByJezebel

My guess is that it is the same puppy. It's just that in the earlier video it had not developed the fear response yet, in the latter it had, thereby making it possible to pinpoint how old it was when the onset of fear-related behavior occurred.

I agree. I think it's the same puppy, before and after the fear response has been developed.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by gemy

Thanks Phil. I wanted to tease out if there was a gap in time that the fear response was minimized as much of late has been bruted around about the fear response happening mostly when large breed pups are placed in homes
8wks old timeframe.


It seems recent studies we have read here and elsewhere indicate the prime initial and very important socialization and exposure to foreign stimuli times happen prior to 14wks old. This is when the pup brain is most elastic.



I just want to emphasize this does not mean that if you get your puppy later that it won't bond with you or will bond less, and that you as the new owner do not need to continue the socialization and stimulation of this baby.

I will send you the PDF of the whole study. Good point in your other post that different breeds develop at different rates. There are also good data in this paper about the percentage of dogs for each of the three breeds that develop the fear response. For Yorkies, the percentage is quite high.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

LOL! The mind boggles at that situation!
Thanks for the two videos. This first was such a brave little thing, did not turn a hair, amazing! The other poor baby sure was scared. Do we know what the difference in upbringing was? If it was in the text, sorry, I will reread.

I'm pretty sure it's the same dog before and after the fear response was developed. An important thing to note is that the development of the fear response is completely normal for puppies, and is a healthy part of their development. It keeps them out of danger. The researchers hope that shedding light on the normal development of the fear response will help researchers learn more about this response, and how to prevent dogs from developing abnormal or unhealthy fear responses.

[dottiesyrky]

Thanks, sounds right and most probable.