Describe any dog behaviour . . .

[shivvy]

I have started a basic dog behaviour course and question number one asks for a good definition of the word behaviour and then to describe any dog behaviour.

I can answer the 15 subsequent questions so why am I stuck on this one?! Doesn't bode well for the next 6 modules!

Help!

[squarebear]

Behaviour means the manner in which you conduct yourself.
Dog behaviour could be bad or good.

Am I missing somethig obvious?

[RATTER15]

Calm, submissive, dominating, aggressive, passive, fearful, just to start.

[RATTER15]

Oh, you want description of each? Oh no too much thought power for all that lol.

[RATTER15]

>>>>Am I missing somethig obvious?<<<<< yes, the N :)

[squarebear]

As in describe an aggressive dog?

Not being funny, but if you can't do this and do not know what the word "behaviour" means, are you really sure you are on the right course?

[squarebear]

lol Ratter well spotted. hehe

[RATTER15]

Sorry squarebear, I couldnt resist :)

[shivvy]

Great answers Ratter and square!

I think they are looking for more than good or bad behaviour square!!

I reckon they are looking for a description of just one behaviour ratter so I think I'll just pick one and go for it. I think I was put off by how broad the question is or how massive the answer could be.

[erin-x]

What level is your course? On the childcare course I did at NC level they accepted a sentence for the description of behaviour and it was almost exactly what Squarebear wrote.

[ladybirder]

Square's right, it's the way you behave, ie conduct yourself. The types of behaviour are endless. But I see what you mean shivvy. Good luck with the course.

[shivvy]

I don't think I'd get away with a sentance erin because the guidelines say that "the module questions are worth 45% of your final mark so require a certain amount of research, you should write as much or as little as you need to answer the question thoroughly, a general guide would be about 300 words for each question but more or less may be appropriate."

Describing something like fearfulness or dominance could be done in 1 sentance or a full essay, but 300 words is a bit hard to do.
Do you understand my query?!

[woofgang]

My take on this is different. In human psychology, a behaviour us what someone does..so for a dog, wag its tail, growl, jump up, roll on its back offer a paw and so on. Words like calm, aggressive, nervous, describe the way the behaviour is enacted and possibly the reason for the behaviour or the way it is enacted, but are not behaviours in themselves.

eg a dog greets a stranger by approaching them walking stiff legged and with the tail held high and stiffly. The stranger steps towards the dog, at which point the dog growls and bares its teeth. The behaviours here could be described as showing aggression but then the aggression might be caused by fear, resource guarding, training and so on. Aggression is not a behaviour, its is the driver for the behaviours.

[RATTER15]

Woofgang, I do agree with you, im just working at a more basic level, im a basic kind of a person lol.

[jno]

it's a rather vague question, "what is behaviour?", but I suppose a dictionary definition (or squarebear's) would do. Then follow on the way woofgang suggests.

[shivvy]

I have started with this dictionary definition:
“the way in which an animal or person behaves in response to a particular situation or stimulus.”

But now I'm a bit stuck on how to move forward.

[woofgang]

behaviours can be innate (nipple seeking in a neonate dog)
conditioned (pavlov's dogs)
learned (sit, stay, give paw)
and voluntary (dog offers the behaviour eg if I sit net to boss when she has a hamburger, I will get a bit) or involuntary (hold a yummy treat over my dog's head and see back legs fold)

From the dog's POV, there is no such thing as a bad behaviour; only behaviours which have a rewarding outcome, (bark at the window and the postman goes away) a neutral outcome (bark for a chew and the boss ignores you) or an unpleasant (aversive) outcome (bark to welcome the boss home and get a smack)

okay now you do a bit

[shivvy]

Oh that's a really good help woofgang.
I have already done a bit about why dogs behave the way they do in certain circumstances but your answer will give my answer much more structure.
Thank you very much indeed.

[woofgang]

you are welcome :-)

[woofgang]

btw i differentiated between conditioned and involuntary because the dog has no control over a conditioned behaviour but does over an involuntary one.

[shivvy]

How do you know this stuff woofgang because I have to reference any sources I use in my answers so is this from a book or just inside your head?!