Eniko Kubinyi

Social learning in dogs: the effect of a human demonstrator on the performance of dogs in a detour task

We recorded the behaviour of dogs in detour tests, in which an object (a favourite toy) or food was placed behind a V-shaped fence. Dogs were able to master this task; however, they did it more easily when they started from within the fence with the object placed outside it. Repeated detours starting from within the fence did not help the dogs to obtain the object more quickly if in a subsequent trial they started outside the fence with the object placed inside it. While six trials were not enough for the dogs to show significant improvement on their own in detouring the fence from outside, demonstration of this action by humans significantly improved the dogs’ performance within two–three trials. Owners and strangers were equally effective as demonstrators. Our experiments show that dogs are able to rely on information provided by human action when confronted with a new task. While they did not copy the exact path of the human demonstrator, they easily adopted the detour behaviour shown by humans to reach their goal.  2001 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour

Robotic clicker training

Abstract In this paper, we want to propose the idea that some techniques used for animal training might be helpful for solving human–robot interaction problems in the context of entertainment robotics. We present a model for teaching complex actions to an animal-like autonomous robot based on “clicker training”, a method used efficiently by professional trainers for animals of different species. After describing our implementation of clicker training on an enhanced version of AIBO, Sony’s four-legged robot, we argue that this new method can be a promising technique for teaching unusual behavior and sequences of actions to a pet robot.

Novel repeat polymorphisms of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter genes among dogs and wolves

Genetic polymorphisms of the neurotransmission systems are intensively studied in the human because of a possible influence on personality traits and the risk of psychiatric disorders. The investigation of genetic variations of the dog genome has recently been a promising approach, as a considerable similarity can be observed between dogs and humans, in both genetic and social aspects, suggesting that the dog could become an appropriate animal model of human behavioral genetic studies. The aim of our study was the identification and analysis of variable number of tandem repeats polymorphisms (VNTRs) in the genes of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system of dogs. The in silico search was followed by the development of PCR-based techniques for the analysis of the putative VNTRs. Highly variable repetitive sequence regions were found in the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), and dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) genes. Allele frequency and genotype distribution of these novel polymorphisms together with the exon 3 and exon 1 VNTR of the dopamine D4 receptor gene were determined in a large sample involving four dog breeds (German Shepherd, Belgian Tervueren, Groenandael, and Malinois) and European Grey Wolves. A significant difference of allele and genotype frequencies was demonstrated among the analyzed breeds; therefore, an association analysis was also carried out between the activity–impulsivity phenotype and the described VNTRs. Preliminary findings are presented that polymorphisms of the DRD4, DBH, and DAT genes can be associated with attention deficit among Belgian Tervuerens.

DNA methylation patterns of behavior-related gene promoter regions dissect the gray wolf from domestic dog breeds

A growing body of evidence highlights the relationship between epigenetics, especially DNA methylation, and population divergence as well as speciation. However, little is known about how general the phenomenon of epigenetics-wise separation of different populations is, or whether population assignment is, possible based on solely epigenetic marks. In the present study, we compared DNA methylation profiles between four different canine populations: three domestic dog breeds and their ancestor the gray wolf. Altogether, 79 CpG sites constituting the 65 so-called CpG units located in the promoter regions of genes affecting behavioral and temperamental traits (COMT, HTR1A, MAOA, OXTR, SLC6A4, TPH1, WFS1)—regions putatively targeted during domestication and breed selection. Methylation status of buccal cells was assessed using EpiTYPER technology. Significant inter-population methylation differences were found in 52.3% of all CpG units investigated. DNA methylation profile-based hierarchical cluster analysis indicated an unambiguous segregation of wolf from domestic dog. In addition, one of the three dog breeds (Golden Retriever) investigated also formed a separate, autonomous group. The findings support that population segregation is interrelated with shifts in DNA methylation patterns, at least in putative selection target regions, and also imply that epigenetic profiles could provide a sufficient basis for population assignment of individuals.

Resting-state fMRI data of awake dogs (Canis familiaris) via group-level independent component analysis reveal multiple, spatially distributed resting-state networks

Resting-state networks are spatially distributed, functionally connected brain regions. Studying these networks gives us information about the large-scale functional organization of the brain and alternations in these networks are considered to play a role in a wide range of neurological conditions and aging. To describe resting-state networks in dogs, we measured 22 awake, unrestrained animals of either sex and carried out group-level spatial independent component analysis to explore whole-brain connectivity patterns. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), in this exploratory study we found multiple resting-state networks in dogs, which resemble the pattern described in humans. We report the following dog resting-state networks: default mode network (DMN), visual network (VIS), sensorimotor network (SMN), combined auditory (AUD)-saliency (SAL) network and cerebellar network (CER). The DMN, similarly to Primates, but unlike previous studies in dogs, showed antero-posterior connectedness with involvement of hippocampal and lateral temporal regions. The results give us insight into the resting-state networks of awake animals from a taxon beyond rodents through a non-invasive method.

Sulci of the canine brain: a review of terminology

Over the last decades there have been several publications of anatomical and neurological textbooks, which include descriptions about the dogs’ brain. However, the terminology used is inconsistent, partly due to individual differences in neocortical gyration and partly due to the common practice of adapting terms from human and murine anatomy. In order to identify such incongruences, in Study 1, we reviewed the existing literature and identified the common terms used as well as any discrepancies between textbooks. Three main forms of inconsistencies were found; a) the use of terms that are not included in the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV), b) the inclusion of structures that are listed as not canine-specific, and c) the use of similar names to identify potentially different anatomical structures. To address these issues, in Study 2 we investigated the consistency in appearance of the cerebral sulci, performing a macroscopical examination on 79 canine brains obtained through the Canine Brain and Tissue Bank (CBTB). We then evaluated whether sulci on the frontal regions of brachycephalic breeds differed from those of mesocephalic and dolichocephalic groups, as frontal and olfactory regions are subjected to the most extreme modifications following the shortening of the skull. The statistical analysis showed no difference across the skull length types regarding the occurrence of these sulci, although furrows on the lateral side of the brain proved to be more stable than those on the medial side. In Study 3, we summarized the findings in accordance with the NAV to produce a definitive index of the terms that we recommend be used for each identified sulci. Such an index is beneficial for educational, clinical use, and research (e.g. neuroscience) purposes. The dog is emerging as a pioneering and exceptional model in comparative neuroscience, and therefore the implications for canine neuroscience research should not be underestimated.

How do owners perceive dominance in dogs

Dominance is well defined in ethology, debated in psychology, and is often unclear among the dog owning public and in the press. However, to date, no study has examined how owners perceive dominance in dogs, and what different behaviours and personality types are used to describe dominant and subordinate individuals. A questionnaire study was launched to investigate the external validity of owner-derived estimates of dominance in dog dyads sharing the same household (N = 1151). According to the owners, dogs rated as dominant (87%) have priority access to resources (resting place, food, and rewards), undertake certain tasks (defend and lead the group, bark more), display dominance (win fights, lick the other’s mouth less, and mark over the other’s urine), share certain personality traits (smarter, more aggressive and impulsive), and are older than their partner dog (all p < 0.0001). An age-related hypothesis has been suggested to explain dominance in dogs, but we found that dog age did not explain the occurrence of dominance-related behaviours over the owners’ estimate of dominance status. Results suggest that owner-derived reports of dominance ranks of dogs living in multi-dog households correspond to ethologically valid behavioural markers of dominance. Size and physical condition were unrelated to the perceived dominance. Surprisingly, in mixed-sex dyads, females were more frequently rated as dominant than males, which might correspond to a higher proportion of neutered females in this subgroup. For future studies that wish to allocate dominance status using owner report, we offer a novel survey.