2.2 Ethogram of Dog Behavior
2.2.2 Socio-Positive Behavior
HEYMER (1977) stated that ‘’social behavior begins when at least two individuals interact with each other in a friendly fashion’’. According to this definition, social behavior includes all forms of interaction between individuals in a friendly context.
Considering this concept, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL (1995) discussed socio-positive behavior within the frame of social behavior and described it as ‘all forms of distance-decreasing behaviors, except play behavior’.
The behavioral elements of the social-positive behavior are shown in table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Behavioral elements of Socio-positive behavior (Developed from HIRSCHFELD (2005))
Behavioral Elements Authors
Sniffing the coat ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and
OHL 1995, ROTTENBERG 2000 Pushing the one’s noise into the coat FOX 1971 b, ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN
1978, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, ROTTENBERG 2000
EISFELD 1966, ALTHAUS 1982 Running ahead-‘’come on’’ call to the friendly animal FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN u. OHL
1995 Muzzle contact-the behaviors such as putting one’s muzzle into the conspecific’s mouth and licking at the muzzle
SCHENKEL 1947, FOX 1971 b, ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN
1978, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL
1995, ROTTENBERG 2000, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN 2004
Biting at the coat SCHENKEL 1947, ZIMEN 1971,
FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, ROTTENBERG 2000 Licking the neck and the head hair of the conspecific and
taking small bites from these parts by incisives
Licking the coat
ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN
1978, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, ROTTENBERG 2000
ALTHAUS 1982
Sniffing out the anal area SCHENKEL 1947, TEMBROCK 1957, SCOTT and
FULLER 1965, EISFELD 1966, FOX 1971 a, b, ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN
1978, NOTT 1992, BRADSHAW and NOTT 1995, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL
1995, ROTTENBERG 2000, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN 2004
Sniffing out the supracaudal gland area YOUNG and GOLDMANN 1944, SCHENKEL 1947, EISFELD 1966, FOX 1971 b, ZIMEN 1971,
FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, ROTTENBERG 2000
Sniffing the gaita TEMBROCK 1957, SCOTT and FULLER 1965 FOX
1971 a, ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN
1978, NOTT 1992, BRADSHAW and NOTT 1995, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL
1995
Sniffing the urine TEMBROCK 1957, SCOTT and FULLER 1965 FOX
1971 a, ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN
1978, NOTT 1992, BRADSHAW and NOTT 1995, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and. OHL
1995
Sniffing, licking and biting the genital area SCHENKEL 1947, SCOTT and FULLER 1965, EISFELD 1966, FOX 1971 a, b, ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, FEDDERSEN-FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN 2004
Jostling ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, ROTTENBERG 2000
Chin resting-intends to snuggling up to the partner-it is also a behavioral element of the imposing behavior
BEKOFF 1972 a, GEORGE 1995
Shoving against the partner ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995,
ROTTENBERG 2000
Wandering around the partner FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL1995
Rubbing against the partner ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL
1995, ROTTENBERG 2000
Snout licking SCHENKEL 1947, ZIMEN 1971,
FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995
Licking at the muzzle of the partner SCHENKEL 1947, ZIMEN 1971, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL1995
Raising a front paw SCHENKEL 1947, ZIMEN 1971,
FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL1995
Muzzle pushing SCHENKEL 1947, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL
1995
Active submission FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995
Acceptance of the friendly contact Friendly approach
EISFELD 1966
UMLAUF 1993, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, ROTTENBERG 2000
2.2.2.1 Active Submission
According to the definition given by SCHENKEL (1967), active submission, which is one of the forms of socio-positive behavior, refers to the behavior pattern which includes the signals of inferiority with intent to contact with the individual(s). FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL (1995), on the other hand, gave a more detailed definition and described active submission as the greeting behavior exhibited between the individuals willing friendly contact with each other.
All in all, both definitions outlined intend of the individual towards friendly social integration, as the most distinguishing characteristics of active submission. This behavior pattern derived from an activity of the cub begging for food and the active submission exhibited by adult dogs during the social interaction, which includes the behavioral elements transformed from feeding and suckling activity (SCHENKEL 1967).
SCHENKEL (1967) mentioned that two variances of social role of active submission are particularly important, one of which is group ceremony, and i.e. a collective display
FEDDERSEN-PETTERSEN and OHL (1995) furthermore stated that this behavior pattern is exhibited by the dogs or the wolves in order to demonstrate or to test the group harmony.
According to them, the female dogs in heat also use active submission when confronting with the male dogs. In addition, the puppies exhibit this behavior pattern while greeting the adult dogs and /or human friends.
The signals of active submission can be described as following: ‘the ears are lowered while directing backwards or flattened on the head which is lifted up and slightly turned away from the partner. The body posture of the dog is crooked and slightly crouched. The muzzle is held at the same level as that of the partner. Pushing the corners of the partner’s mouth and licking at the partner’s lips or people’s hands, as well as licking at one’s mouth while looking at the partner at a distance are also observed as a common element of active submission. In addition, the lips are pulled back horizontally while covering the teeth-submissive grin (FOX 1971a).
The corners of the eyes are also pulled back as a result of tense facial muscles while the eyes are directed to the partner. Wagging of the lowered tail is also one of the elements of active submission. Another characteristic element of this behavior pattern is lifting of the front paw which derives from the infantile-begging activity (SCHENKEL 1967, FOX 1971a, FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, OVERALL 1997, BEAVER 1999).
2.2.2.2 Allelomimetic Behavior
ABRANTES (1997) described allelomimetic behavior as a ‘’contagious behavior, i.e.
behavior which influences another to do the same’’. BEAVER (1994), on the other hand, explained it as the behaviors supporting the group harmony, as well as the coexistence of members.
He further stated that the behaviors such as distance-reducing interactions, reproduction, grooming, hunting, namely the behaviors concerning with social interactions reflect the allelomimetic nature of the individual.
Behavioral elements of allelomimetic behavior are shown in table 2.2.
Table 2.2 Behavioral elements of allelomimetic behavior (Developed from HIRSCHFELD (2005))
Behavioral Elements Definitions Authors
Wandering around the partner MURIE 1944, ZIMEN 1971,
FEDDERSEN-PETERSEN and OHL 1995, ROTTENBERG 2000
Lying down together-sleeping together
Nestling
Intention of the individual to a body contact with its partner
MURIE 1944, VAUK 1954, SCHMIDT 1957, SCOTT and FULLER 1965, EISFELD
1966, FOX 1971 b, ZIMEN 1971, ALTHAUS 1982, HEINE 2000 EISFELD 1966
Sitting together
Nestling Intention of the individual to a
body contact with its partner
MURIE 1944, SCOTT and FULLER 1965
EISFELD 1966
Sniffing together HIRSCHFELD 2005
Waiting together Gathering of the dogs which have the same expectations at a determined point. In this situation body contact such as
‘’shoving’’ may occur.
HIRSCHFELD 2005