Behaviour

[canislupus]

Iam undertaking a course in dog behaviour and I am looking for some help. I am currently dealing with communication, namely sound. The section deals with sounds made by pups and the questions is Give a reason why the mother might not respond to her pups unless she can see them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[lankeela]

She is deaf?

[nobby4270]

It could be the 'type' of sound the pups make - if it is not a distresed sound, she won't worry. Also, if she can hear them, they're ok!!! Hope this helps

[happy_face]

could it be if some danger is present?

I appreciate in modern life and most dogs lives they don't often present danger as if they lived in the wild but when you see programmes of wildlife a cheetah mum won't for example respond to her cub if danger lurks as she will be encouraging the cub to give its position away

[canislupus]

Thanks for the hints and suggestions - I appreciate them. I have come accross a book that states"Despite the puppy's loud vocal responses to seperation the bitch appears to notice that a puppy is missing when she sees it rather than when she hears it" unfortunately it does not give any explanation as to why this occurs

[lankeela]

Well I have to disagree, as if any of my puppies so much as squeaked the mum would be there in a flash, and if necessary pick it up by the scruff of the neck and return it to the whelping box.

[canislupus]

lankeela I agree whole heartly with you I fine the question rather strange and the books that mention this type of behaviour do not expand and give possible reasons for this type of behaviour. I am a believer that the bitch would go and retrieve the pup especially if she could not see it