Dogs exhibiting high levels of aggressive reactivity show impaired self-control abilities

Elena Gobbo (Author), Manja Zupan (Author)

Abstract

Inhibitory control describes a multitude of cognitive processes that prevents an impulsive response and enables a more appropriate behavior in a given situation. The ability to inhibit undesirable behaviors, such as aggression, is particularly important in dogs for safe and successful interspecific interaction and cooperation. The present study investigated the associations between two aspects of inhibitory control in dogs, self-control and cognitive inhibition, and the tendency to respond aggressively when provoked. Sixteen police and fourteen privately owned dogs of the same sex, breed group and similar age participated. Self-control, often described as impulsivity, was measured with an exchange paradigm themed the delay of gratification test, and cognitive inhibition with an object discrimination paradigm called the reversal learning test. Aggressive reactivity was assessed with a standardized aggression-eliciting behavior test. When comparing police and privately owned dogs, police dogs showed higher aggression levels and poorer self-control, while the two groups did not differ in cognitive inhibition. Regardless of the dog group, the main results indicated impairments in self-control in dogs with high levels of aggressive reactivity. Dogs showing biting behavior had worse self-control abilities compared to dogs with no signs of aggression. No association between cognitive inhibition and aggression was found. We conclude that self-control, measured as the ability to tolerate delayed rewards, appears to be an important aspect of inhibitory control involved in the tendency to respond aggressively, particularly in police dogs.

Keywords

psi;obnašanje živali;etologija;agresivno obnašanje;samokontrola;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2022
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC:	636.045:591.5
COBISS:	102304515
ISSN:	2297-1769
Views:	94
Downloads:	38
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	psi;obnašanje živali;etologija;agresivno obnašanje;samokontrola;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	str. 1-10
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ9
Issue:	ǂart. ǂ869068
Chronology:	2022
DOI:	10.3389/fvets.2022.869068
ID:	15129394