Differential human handling and the development of agonistic behavior in basenji and shetland sheep dogs

Abstract

(1968). DifJerential Htttftesi Handling and the Development of Agonistic Behavior in Basenji and Shetland Sheep Dogs. DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, I@): 133-140. This experiment tested the hypothesis that differential treatment will increase the amount of aggressive interactions between young puppies. Litters of Shetland sheepdogs and African basenjis were weaned at 4 weeks of age and reared in pairs. In one pair, one pup was favored through playful interaction by a human experimenter, while the other pup was ignored. In a second pair, both pups were ignored. Significantly greater amounts of aggressive behavior occurred in the differentially treated pairs, both during and imniediately after the treatment periods. This behavior carried over into competitive situations involving a food or hone and was still present 9 weeks after treatment had been discontinued. Breed differences were observed in almost all nieasurenients taken. In particular, shelties learned to inhibit their behavior much more rapidly than basenjis. Such differences are comparable to what might be expected from genetic differences between individuals in human subjects. T h e experiment is not comparable to sibling rivalry in haman families, where differential treatment is iniposed because of difference in ages, but the results support the hypothesis that lessening of differential treatment should reduce the occurrence of quarrels between siblings. agonistic behavior, development in dogs dog, differential handling and agonistic behavior sibling aggression, dogs HE TYPES AND AMOUNTS of aggressive behavior dis-T played by mammals are influenced by a wide variety of biological factors at every level of organization (Scott, 1958).